Russell Sanchez
San Ildefonso

Dreaming Deer

5" H x 3 1/4" D


Russell Sanchez was born in July of 1966 into the San Ildefonso Pueblo. Pueblo children are seldom taught to make pottery, they learn by watching and experimenting with clay on their own.

However, Russell was inspired and encouraged to learn the art of pottery making from his aunt, Rose Gonzales, as a young child at the age of twelve. He was also inspired by another famous potter by the name of Dora Tse-Pe’, who encouraged Russell to continue the long lived tradition of constructing vessels from nature’s gifts.

He observed her with a careful eye and eventually developed his own techniques and styles. He eventually adopted techniques with the use of inlaid turquoise and heishi beads. He also was influenced by Jody Folwell, who introduced him into using different colors of clays and slips on the same vessels.

Russell specializes in a wide variety of contemporary pottery such as: redware, blackware, micaceous, green clay jars, and figurines. He is a definite outdoorsman and gets most of his inspiration from mother nature.

Russell loves to ski, hike and raft. It is often during his rafting and hiking expeditions that he will stop to gather clay to use later for his pottery. Russell makes all of his bowls in the traditional manner of gathering the clay, building the bowls in a coil method and then firing them outside.

Each piece by Russell has a distinctive flare to it. Either by the color, shape or design, each piece varies in its unique nature. Unusual slips are one of his key features. The use of lids in the shapes of bear and shells are part of his view of nature and are used to complement the various forms.

Russell's work has been featured in many books and magazines. As well, his work may be found in the permanent collection of museums such as the Heard Museum, the Millicent Rogers Museum and the Smithsonian. Russell has also won major awards at Santa Fe Indian Market, Eight Northern Pueblo and other major competitive events. At Santa Fe Indian Market, Russell has won awards almost every year!

His most recent accomplishments include Best of Division and Best of Class at the Heard Museum show and Santa Fe Indian Market respectively.

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