Thea Rose Cata is a descendant of Elizabeth Tafoya Lovato (San Ildefonso) and Mary R. Cata (Ohkay Owingeh).  She comes from two distinguished families of potters.  Her pottery is made from native clay, coil-built, carved, incised, or painted and traditionally fired.  This open bowl has a carved avanyu on the rim.  It is slipped with mica and then painted with clay slips. The dragon is painted with red clay and then outlined with black.  The inside of the bowl has three painted dragonflies.  It is a charming and creative piece. The bowl was traditionally fired and there are some color variations on the bottom.  I think this is very exciting, as it shows that she is doing traditional firing and the coloration adds to the impact of the piece. Thea also said the white clay she used fired out this blue/gray color, which is beautiful on her pieces.  Sometimes it the unknown in pottery of what will happen in the firing that creates the most exciting results!  The jar is signed, T. Rose.  We are excited to see more from Thea and hope she spurs on another revival of Ohkay Owingeh pottery for the new century!