Helen Cordero is undoubtedly one of the great names in Cochiti pottery.  It was in 1964 that Cordero said she made her first storyteller.  According to her, “I made some more of my Storytellers with lots of children climbing on him to listen, then I took them up to the Santo Domingo Feast Day,” and the rest is history.  Her pieces were all males, to honor her grandfather, whom she would hear telling children stories of Pueblo life and culture.  She received the New Mexico Governor’s Award in 1982 and the NEA Heritage Fellowship in 1986.  Her son George Cordero (1944-1990), learned to make pottery from his mother.  He created pieces separately and with his mother.  This piece is a collaboration between Helen and George Cordero.  It was most likely made by Helena and painted by George. It is one of her classic turtle storytellers.  There are three children sitting on a blanket on the back of the turtle.  Each of the children are painted wearing different shirts.   The piece was painted with wild spinach (black) and red clay on white clay.  It was traditionally fired.  It is signed on the bottom, “Helen + George Cordero”.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.