Pueblo pottery

Pueblo pottery has always held to a high aesthetic standard, as some of the earliest pre-historic pottery shards can attest. Today's refined creations are dramatic examples of fine art. Pueblo pottery continues to evolve, with creative new shapes, designs and techniques. While an exciting array of young artists has entered the field, tradition remains strong, and much of the process remains unchanged.

The potter begins by collecting clay from special quarries on the reservation. Next comes the sifting and cleaning of the raw clay. Once the texture is right, and water added, the artist begins coiling the clay to form the pot. After the pot is formed and sufficiently air-dried, it is painstakingly scraped and sanded to create a pleasing finish. Then the potter paints on the slip (a thin mixture of clay and water) and lets it air dry. Next comes the critical polishing with a stone, usually a well-worn river pebble.

Generally, after any painting and/or deep carving work, it's time to fire the pot. Sgraffito (shallow carving) is done after the initial firing. Many artists still fire outdoors in the traditional way. This can be a risky experience, as sudden changes in temperature and precipitation can destroy the pots. Some artists have gone to commercial kiln firing to avoid these pitfalls. At Grey Dog Trading Company, we carry Pueblo pottery by the Folwell/Naranjo family, known for their innovative shapes and carving techniques, as well as other stellar artists.

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