Julie Gutierrez
Santa Clara
Star Burst
4" H
x 4 1/2" D
Julie Gutierrez was born in
1965 into the Santa Clara Pueblo.
She began experimenting with
pottery at the age of 12, back in 1977. Julie was inspired by
her mother, Victoria Gutierrez who is known for her handmade
bowls.
She was also inspired by Effie
Garcia and Sally M. Gutierrez (sisters). They taught her all
the fundamentals of working with natural clays and pigments so
that she could continue the long lived tradition of working with
clay.
Julie specializes in the contemporary
and traditional, handmade Santa Clara pottery that is etched
and crafted with authentic turquoise stones.
Julie gathers all of her materials
from within the Santa Clara Pueblo. She breaks down the clumps
of clay to a fine powder form and mixes the clay with volcanic
ash and water. She begins by forming snake like coils and begins
building her pieces.
Once the pottery has taken
a vessel shape she sands her pieces for a fine smooth texture.
Then, Julie hand etches her flowers and fires her pottery the
traditional way, outdoors.
Julies trademark is
the turquoise stones that she adds to the center of each rosette.
She hand coils small animals, mushrooms, and and several different
shapes of vases and bowls.
She signs her pottery as:
J.A. Gutierrez, SCP. She is also related to Tony and Terry Gutierrez
(uncle & aunt).
Publications:
-Pueblo Indian Pueblo Pottery 750 Artist Biographies