Tina Diaz has skillfully created her own unique style of carving pottery.  She is one of only a handful of Santa Clara potters who has mastered the technique of polishing her pottery tan.  The tan is the natural color of the clay and the most difficult to polish to achieve a high shine.  This red and tan jar with a classic shape with a round shoulder and turned out rim.  The jar has a large cloud design carved into the clay and polished red.  As the jar is turned, there are cloud and wind designs carved into the negative space of the jar. Above them, polished tan is the walking bear’s paws.  This is a classic Santa Clara design.  Interestingly, Tina’s pieces are always fully carved, which gives them a very dramatic appearance.  It is always technically difficult to carve such sharp angles and delicate edges into the clay.  The background has the traditional cream-colored slip, which few potters use today because it is difficult to apply.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Tina Diaz”.

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