Four Taos Pueblo female artists go digital
Just in time for the holidays
TAOS PUEBLO has a wide variety of art and artisans to choose from. One could find among the many shops of Taos Pueblo, anything, from a Robert Mirabal CD to custom-made silver and turquoise jewelry. Yet, today, Taos Pueblo borders have been shut down for nearly a year, and some Taos Pueblo artists are taking to digital and social media to promote their work. Following are just a few of the many artisans and artists from Taos Pueblo.
Phenomenal, traditionally trained chef and owner of Shundine’s Frybread Stand at Taos Pueblo, Shundine Suazo, has recently launched her own website. Shundine took a cooler full of soda and turned it into a dream. Shundine’s distinct logo is known throughout the tribe and in the far reaches of Taos county. Designed by Shundine herself, her talents don’t end in graphic design and innovative Taos Pueblo cuisine, Shundine also has a line of promotional products, like the Indian Taco Lighter, and Frybread Cosmetics. Check out her Mutton Grease Lip Balm and more at shundinesfrybreadstand.com.
Another innovator of Taos Pueblo entrepreneurship is, Addelina “Addie” Lucero, owner and operator of Dancing Butterfly Naturals. She is no stranger to the spot light and after a brief break is poised to make a significant impact on the personal care product game in Taos. Lucero had taken her show on the road which opened her eyes to the potential market demanding her natural products.
“I was hesitant at that time, mainly because my target market was Native women and I wanted to stay true to the products I was creating,” said Lucero. After some years of soul searching and perfecting her plans, Lucero now offers a wide array of products. Dancing Butterfly Naturals gift sets feature handmade, hand-painted, one-of-akind clay pottery soap dishes by Acoma artist Angelina Medina, and come with your choice of soap and lip balm. Make your selection at dancingbutterflynaturals.com.
Nashima Lujan on the other hand, has chosen a humbler approach to her personal care craft. “Water Lily Soapery & Crafts is a small batch artisan company featuring cold press soaps, body products and crafts,” said Lujan in her statement to Tempo. Inspired by an appreciation for high-end soaps, Royalty Soaps by Katie Carson, Lujan’s spur of the moment experiment turned into a love for crafting soaps. Lujan ‘s products are unique because she took the road less traveled in her crafting. Lujan said, “I want a product that people of all ages and skin sensitivities could use. I didn’t take the route of using essential oils in my products due to the fact that some people are allergic, myself included.” Lujan’s full line, and even items from her family’s Taos Pueblo shop, Autumn Deer, can be viewed at waterlilysoapery.com.
This holiday season, Tempo is especially happy to introduce Natalie Archuleta. True to the blueprint of a rising Taos Pueblo star, Archuleta said “Art was something that was always in my home.” Art is in the DNA of almost all Taos Pueblo people, but for some lucky tribal members, it’s also an experience. Archuleta’s mother, Carlotta, is a micaceous clay potter and her father, Lawrence, is a master silversmith. “When I was growing up, I knew that art was what I wanted to do and my parents never doubted me in my goals and aspirations. They supported me every step of the way,” said Archuleta.
You might be asking yourself, “Why have I never seen such beautiful work?” Well, the answer is quite simple really; Archuleta was honing her skill before making her debut. Archuleta’s works comes in all sorts of different mediums. She paints – acrylic and oil, she beads, makes jewelry, paints pottery and does some printmaking. Archuleta said, “So with all these different mediums, I sort of look at it as the different representations of life.” Archuleta’s work can be viewed and ordered on her Instagram page, nataliearchuletadesigns.
No, you might not find any ugly Christmas sweaters on these artists’ pages or websites, but you will find, authentic, affordable arts and crafts, direct from Taos Pueblo hands. Artists at Taos Pueblo are getting creative and expanding their businesses into the digital realm. So now, that special gift from Taos Pueblo might just be a click away.