Linda Tafoya
Santa Clara
Black Jack
3" H
x 3 1/2" D
This terrific little piece
is a great example of how fun Linda's themes can be. Pictuered
here are two "Jack" rabbits - one highly polished with
a matte border, and the other just the opposite.
We loved the balance and spherical
nature of this piece, as well as the rabbit foot prints around
the outer edges.
This piece also exhibits Linda's
innovative use of mica in her traditional blackware pottery.
Linda is the granddaughter
of famed Santa Clara potter Margaret Tafoya. Linda's father was
Margaret's son, Lee Tafoya and her mother was Betty Tafoya. Both
of Linda's parents passed away in recent years and Margaret Tafoya
passed away in early 2001.
Born in 1962, Linda began
making pottery at the age of twelve. She learned this art form
from her aunt Mary Archuleta as well as from her parents.
Being a descendant of Margaret
Tafoya and pursuing a career in pottery requires a commitment
to excellence and Linda has clearly risen to the challenge. Whether
her work is traditionally styled or more contemporary, it is
always of the highest quality.
Linda has created a name for
herself with her own unique style. She has created a contemporary
adaptation of the traditional Santa Clara carving style.
Linda has won numerous awards
including "Best of Division" and "First Place"
at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Eight Northern Pueblo Show.
And for many years she was a featured artist at Gallery 10 shows.
She is featured in Rick Dillingham's
book Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery on page 198 and
the more recent Schaaf book Pueblo Indian Pottery - 750 Artist
Biographies on page 112.