RUSSELL SANCHEZ. San Ildefonso, GREEN SLIP BOWL FEATHER DESIGN SANTA FE AWARDS

BEGAN WORKING WITH POTTERY AS A YOUNG BOY. I WAS VISITING THE PUEBLO IN THE SUMMER OF 1985 AND MET RUSSELL IN THE SQUARE.

HE ASKED ME TO COME LOOK AT HIS WORK, WHICH HE WAS GETTING READY TO'FIRE' FOR HIS AUGUST INDIAN MARKET BOOTH IN SANTA FE. ALL POTS WERE SITTING ON THE DINING ROOM TABLE AND HAD NOT BEEN FIRED YET.... I was immediately attracted to this piece, for.

It's simplicity and tradition (feather design). Taken to a new level with the asymmetric lip. Giving it a natural flair.

The beautiful curved lines found among all natural things. I found it as charming as a Navajo weaver deliberately adding a heart line to a piece, to not imitate God, who is all perfect, not man... The piece flows as the gentle water of a stream. Your eye is naturally drawn to the curves and flow. Among the feathers, which gleam with the mica, is placed one small bear paw.

A treasure for one to find. Since it was not fired, I did not even know what slip Russell had planned for it. He explained it might not make it thru the firing. But I pressed him and was willing to take the chance. He wanted to keep it until then so he had a number of pieces to show. Read on for the end to the story... The piece is a beautiful highly polished green slip with mica piece, hand etched, which he has become very well known for.

He is considered, unquestionably, one of the most talented and creative of the current pueblo potters. The piece is representative of the colors of New Mexico, the clay - color of the earth, and the green - representing the colors of life in the southwest. Out of the earth comes life. RUSSELL'S POTTERY CAN BE FOUND IN NUMEROUS MUSEUMS, INCLUDING THE HEARD MUSEUM AND THE DENVER ART MUSEUM.

HE HAS WON BEST OF POTTERY AT BOTH THE SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET AND THE HEARD MUSEUM SHOW, AMONG OTHERS, AND HAS AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF AWARDS. A famous early San Ildenfonso Painter.

He grew up around the clay and learned the skills of pottery making from his great aunt, noted potter Rose Gonzales. Each of his pieces has a distinct flair and over the years he has created a niche for himself with more contemporary pottery -while staying true to tradition. THE PIECE OPENING DIAMETER AT THE TOP IS 2 2/4", THE CIRCUMFERENCE IS 16" AT THE LOWER EDGE OF THE ETCHED FEATHER DESIGN, almost 4 1/4 wide, IT'S WIDEST POINT. The etched band with the feathers in approximately 1 1/2 H. The bear paw is found nestled in among the top of the feathers.

THE HIGH POINT AT THE TOP OF THE ASYMMETRICAL LIP IS 4 1/4. There is no damage to the pot and it has been in my collection in a no smoking home.

When I arrived at his booth about 30 minutes after Indian Market opened, there was my beautiful etched clay pot.. SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DISPLAY CASE... We agreed that the piece should stay with Russell for the day and it glowed from all the attention!

I was so glad I had found Russell, this little green bowl, and took home wonderful memories. And I almost was disappointed it wasn't in the traditional black of the pueblo. Now, I celebrate it's color daily as it is a true reminder of the New Mexico I know and love! Please ask me any questions. PLEASE CHECK MY LISTING FOR CHIMAYO VESTS, WELL KNOWN NATIVE, MEXICAN, AND CONTEMPORARY ARTISANS...

INCLUDING KIT CARSON, OF PBS'CRAFT IN AMERICA'; JEWELRY by Native artists Ric Charlie, Michael Horse, CARVED NAVAJO Pieces by JOHNSON ANTONIO (Collection of Smithsonian, Washington DC) and others. Since I do not deal in hundreds, or even thousands of items... I STRIVE TO DESCRIBE MY ITEMS TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AS I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY, AND ONLY RECEIVE THE HIGHEST FEEDBACK RATINGS. San Ildefonso, GREEN SLIP BOWL FEATHER DESIGN SANTA FE AWARDS" is in sale since Sunday, August 19, 2012. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Native American\ US\1935-Now\Pottery".

The seller is "reelfire" and is located in Cardiff by the Sea, California. This item can be shipped to United States.

Artisan: Russell Sanchez
Origin: San Ildefonso
Tribal Affiliation: San Ildefonso
Type: mario 2c black on black 2c incised 2c sgraffito
western states: texas, wyoming, new mexico, california, arizona
TRIBAL REPRESENTATION: santa clara, mata ortiz, cochiti, acoma, taos
GALLERY: packards, ortegas