de la Cruz, Juan and Lois Gutierrez – “Dragonfly” Water Jar

9"w x 10.25"h

$ 2,400.00

Juan Cruz is creating some beautifully painted polychrome pottery.  He is a son of noted potter Lois Gutierrez.  Lois made the jar and Juan, who is noted for his illustrations, painted the design using natural clay slips.  This jar is a classic water jar shape with a wide shoulder and slightly turned out neck.  Juan wrote of the scene he painted as follows:

“For thought the people had forgotten how to call upon the corn maidens, the poor boy and his sister were able to help.  The simple toy he’d made for his sister, Dragonfly, spoke to them through its fluttering motions and hovering. Through this strange dialogue his sister discerned that Dragonfly could serve as emissary for the whole village.”

The jar is truly polychrome (more than three colors of clay).  Note the intricacy of the painted designs and especially the figures.  It is a charming jar with the children and the dragonfly leaving their hands and coming to the women of the women of the village.   Note the very complicated dress and sashes on the women!  Amazing!  As well there are the two bands of stylized dragonflies on the jar and the dragonflies in red below the shoulder!  This is a striking design and refinement of the painting technique using the natural clay slips. It is signed on the indented bottom of the jar by both Juan and Lois.  The description is written on the back of a hand-painted graphic of Dragonfly.  What a phenomenal addition to this piece and the painting helps to better understand how exceptional Juan is with his art.   While Juan is new to the pottery world, he most recently won “Best of Pottery” at Gallup Ceremonials in 2017!