Ortiz, Janice – 17″ Tall West Directional Figure (1999)
Janice Ortiz is a sister of noted potter Virgil Ortiz. She has created a series of traditional-style figures which are based on the four directions (North, South, East and West). Each of the directions is meant to be a specific color. This figure represents “West” and, while the traditional color is blue, the only clay options are the black created from wild spinach (a plant). The figure has a wonderful sense of motion with the hands and arms! There are bands of design across the body. Each piece is coil-built and painted with native clay slips and wild spinach plant for the black. They are each traditionally fired. The piece is signed “M.J. Ortiz”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
Janice Ortiz is a sister of noted potter Virgil Ortiz. She has created a series of traditional-style figures which are based on the four directions (North, South, East and West). Each of the directions is meant to be a specific color. This figure represents “West” and, while the traditional color is blue, the only clay options are the black created from wild spinach (a plant). The figure has a wonderful sense of motion with the hands and arms! There are bands of design across the body. Each piece is coil-built and painted with native clay slips and wild spinach plant for the black. They are each traditionally fired. The piece is signed “M.J. Ortiz”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
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Ortiz, Janice
Janice Ortiz[/caption]
Janice Ortiz is a daughter of Seferina and Guadalupe Ortiz and the sister of Inez, Joyce and Virgil Ortiz. Janice is known for her figurative pottery, especially her directional figures. She has won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market. She continues to use traditional clay and firing techniques on her pottery.