This is an elegantly shaped tall cylindrical jar by Daniel Begay.  The piece is coil-built, carved, stone-polished, and traditionally fired.  The jar is on that he was working for a demonstration in the gallery.  The four photos at the end are the start of the process where Daniel is drawing on the jar, then starting to carve, and finally, you can see the beginnings of the first heartline bear! The jar has a bear on each side.  Each is different in style.  As the piece is turned there are lightning and cloud designs on one side, and the classic “walking bear paw” design on the other.  The is a combination of matte and polished surfaces.  The matte is smooth and perfectly sanded to create the best visual contrast.  This certainly adds to the sophistication of his carving and designs. Note how Daniel’s designs also combine both thin and thicker lines to enhance the imagery.  The style of carving has a beveled appearance to the angle of the cuts into the clay.  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Daniel Begay”.