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.   Juan wrote of the scene as follows:

“The women were certain they’d heard something liek a song on the breeze.  As they got closer to wehre the sound emanated from, they were able to discern words.  They began to sing the song they heard, mimicking the unusal timbre of the low voice.  Right there before them, water welled up from the gournd and formed a pool from which they joyfully drew; each in turn giving thanks for the gift granted from the Hidden Spring”

The jar is truly polychrome (more than three colors of clay).  Juan has an excellent ability as a storyteller as well as turning those stories into graphically painted art.  The figures on this piece, their pottery and his depiction of the Hidden Springs are exceptional.  The jar has been traditionally fired outdoor and overall is a striking coloration.  It is signed on the indented bottom of the pot by both Juan and Lois.  The description is written on the back of a hand-painted graphic of a Pueblo woman and the Hidden Springs.  What a phenomenal addition to this piece and the painting helps to understand better how exceptional Juan is with his art.  Juan most recently won “Best of Pottery” at Gallup Ceremonials in 2017!