Snowflake Flower
(Stephanie Rhoades)
Snowflake Flower (Stephanie Rhoades) of Cochiti Pueblo, has been an active potter since 1979 working with Storytellers, Nativities, jars, bowls, owls and figures. A mother and grandmother, A major influence on her work came from observing her grandmother, Estaphanita Herrera, one of Cochiti Pueblo's esteemed potters.
Her Storytellers are known for the "Prayer Feathers" that adorn each one. Snowflake Flower states,
"I began putting these feathers on top of each figure in 1983 when my daughter, Patricia Ann Loretto, went into a coma. I continued to put these feathers on my figures so the prayers for her recovery would be spread throughmore and more people. Finally, on December 21, 1999, our prayers wereansweredwhen my daughter woke up after being asleep for 16 years!"
from "Southwest Pottery" by Dr. Gregory Schaaf.
As Snowflake Flower works she sings songs her mother and father taught her. She remembers expressions on the faces of loved ones, their response to a funny story, the pleasure of a life shared with children. These are the qualities reflected in her work.
She has won many awards at many venues including the Santa Fe Indian Market, the New Mexico State Fair,Southwest Indian Art Show, and the Albuquerque Indian Arts Show.
http://armadillotradingcompany.com/snowflakeFlower.html |
Mary Trujillo
1937 -
Mary Trujillo learned to make pottery figurines from Helen Cordero, her mother-in-law. She is one of the most accomplished potters of the pueblo.
Mary came up with the idea for this storyteller by remembering her own grandfather, who told tribal chants and stories to the beat of his drum. Her grandfather always wore a black hat with no creases, just like this grandfather.
Mary has won numerous awards throughout the years, at all the various Pueblo art shows.
The above pot was made by Mary Trujillo's mother Leonidas Tapia who was an active potter from the 1950's to approximately1975. She was the wife of Jose Blas Tapia. Leonidas made traditional San Juan polychrome redware bowls, jars and wedding vases. She also made micaceous pottery. Some of the designs she used on her pottery include the water serpent, kiva steps and clouds. Leonidas participated in the Santa Fe Indian Market from 1970-1976. Mary learned her original pottery expertise from her mother before moving to the Cochita Pueblo when she married Helen Cordero's son Leonard. Leonidas Tapia passed on in 1977.
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