Introduction

For hundreds of years indigenous people of North America have been experimenting with clay, utilizing its substance, for beauty and function. Coming from such a background I have been combing the ideals, of passion, apprenticeship and patience in creating hand built decorative pottery. The method is antiquated, laborious and rewarding, resulting in pottery that are unique in their own special way. The coiling method of pottery is what I choose, without the use of a modern day potters wheel, I am able to make pots that are light in weight yet captures the concept of symmetry and form. Each pot is hand burnished giving the surface a smooth finish allowing the paint to flow effortlessly across the surface. Patterns and designs are as limitless as the human imagination, spanning the globe each culture can be represented through their own unique patterns and designs. Inspired by these patterns from various cultures, in conjunction with my own Native American background, I hand paint each piece free hand using no stencils , orchestrating inspired patterns across the surface, hoping to capture something fresh and innovative. The isolated moments of the hand painting process are a revelation of beauty and design giving each piece its own individuality. Exposure to extreme violent forces of fire, are the final ingredient that results in pottery that will be an everlasting work of art.

About Me

My photo
Fullerton, CA, United States
I am a Native American from the Navajo and Pueblo of Isleta people from New Mexico. I currently reside in Fullerton CA and I am freelance artist I practice in the mediums of Ceramics, painting, drawing and music. However i am most proficient in ceramics and pottery making.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

ACGA Clay & Glass National Juried Exhibition

The Brea Gallery in the city of Brea, CA is currently exhibiting ACGA Clay and Glass National Juried Exhibition, with about 400 submissions from across the country, in the medium of Clay and Glass, my piece entitled "Flowers" was one of 80 selected pieces selected for the exhibition which runs between Jan 22 - March 4.  If you are in the city of Brea and have some time to spare, please check out the show, there is an amazing collection of work in the wonderful mediums of clay and glass.  

"Flowers" Handbuilt and painted plates mounted on a 32x32 painted wood panel

Flowers

The Brea Gallery


Sunday, January 16, 2011

Yongin, Korea

The pottery journey has taken me to some rather interesting places, from the Pueblo Spanish influenced art community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, to the quaint charming mountain town of Prescott, Arizona, down to the southern desert of Arizona's biggest metropolis Phoenix, and to the breezy, ocean blue and picturesque city of San Diego.  On these adventures I have been privileged to experience different communities and have met some interesting people on the way.  


our friendly guide and interpretor, Kelly
downtown city of seoul

This month's journey took me more than 6300 miles to the southern pennisula of South Korea, and to the modern, contemporary and busy cities of Yongin and Seoul.  Cities that share a rich history of Korean culture, history, traditions and a modern lifestyle that is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds.  


one of a few artists from the association who invited us to her home and studio, which was a highlight  for all of us.

inside the Leeum Samsung Museum of art

ceramic artist in his traditional Korean wardrobe

my artwork, proudly displayed in the gallery
Monet enjoying the food which was no short of amazing.


inside the gallery at Yongin

all us in the artists studio


one of many interesting pieces of public art that is display all around the city


Being affiliated with the Muckenthaler Culture Center, as an instructor, I was invited to participate in an international art exhibit, involving Korean artists and artists from Fullerton.  The Muckenthaler has several sister cities around the world, Yongin, Korea being one of them and it is through these sister city programs that cultures come together to explore and understand their ways of life, through the arts.  

The Korean fine art association of Yongin, Korea its artist, staff and administrative members collectively came together and graciously showed us a damn good time in their country.  Through their kindness and hospitality they organized seven wonderful days of escorting us to the many wonderful cultural establishments throughout Yongin and Seoul.  Art galleries, museums, restaurants, historical sites, performing arts, the modern metropolis of Seoul and the exquisite and the diverse cuisine that Korea has to offer were all part of a well planned intinerary
that made this cultural excursion insightful, memorable and just way too exciting.     

apartment and condos in Yongin, Korea

presentation of lotus tea


the palace was a traditional and historical slice of heaven
our Executive Director getting cozy on the floor

yes it was cold, standing on a frozen lake
the food was amazing, plenty of kimchi and other yummies

Korea was really interesting and fun, the people, the city, the art and the food was just over the top, it was really cold, but it didnt really matter, because we we're so well taken care of and each day was, just as interesting as the other, that the coldness was just all part of the experience, of what is Korea, never a dull moment, oh the liquor Sojou kept us warm, plus all the beer, hite and cass, good times.  One other highlight of the experience was being introduced to the multimedia visual artist and music composer Nam June Paik, he was the Andy Warhol of Korea, amazing, revolutionary and avante garde work, by one of Korea's premiere artist a visionary who was ahead of his times, there is an entire museum dedicated to this unusual yet genius of an artist in Yongin. Too see more pictures on the whole Korean excursion go to the page section on the right hand side and click "Korean pictures" and just scroll down.  Thanks 

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Satwiwa Arts and Crafts Festival


Nestled on the quiet outskirts of the Santa Monica mountains just passed Thousand Oaks in the Rancho Sierra Vista community is the quaint and charming Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center. With its abundant nature and hiking trails and a nature center displaying arts, crafts and information regarding the local indigenous natives that inhabit the area, this makes for a unique natural and cultural environment, that is apart of the National Park Service.  Having done a lecture and demonstration back in May of 2011, the kind staff and park rangers were kind enough to invite me to participate in their Dec. 5th art show.