NANCY YOUNGBLOOD (SANTA CLARA)

Nancy Youngblood, who is from a family of Santa Clara potters, began by making miniatures of her mother’s and grandmother’s pieces. Over the years, Youngblood made larger pots as well, but was captivated by the miniatures. “Now I like doing both larger and miniature. I liked doing melon bowls. I would do the straight ribbed, slanted swirl, s-swirl and what I call my waterfall design,” Youngblood says. “I like to do technically difficult pieces. My other theme has been doing shells, horses and other animals. I also like doing abstract designs on my pottery.”

One thing that has remained consistent in Youngblood’s artwork is the way she fires her pots and how she prepares her clay. “I have never used a kiln,” Youngblood says. “My work is hand-coiled, carved with wood carving tools and screwdrivers and polished with a smooth stone to get the shine.”