Juan de la Cruz creates complex painted polychrome pottery.  He is a son of noted potter Lois Gutierrez.  Juan is noted for his paintings and illustrations and takes his talent to the clay using all-natural clay slips to create the designs!  This water jar is truly polychrome (more than three colors of clay).  The story of this jar is as follows:

“During the time of drought, the great mother told hummingbird of a place wihtin the moutnain where whe could find nectar,  though hummingbird was warned not to tell anyone from where she drew her sustenance.”

The jar has a low shoulder and an elongated neck. The jar has an elongated hummingbird on one side. As the jar is turned there is a flower and nectar and the Great Mother.  She is holding a feather and a jar.  Below the shoulder are additional flowers.  The jar has amazing detail in the wings of the bird and throughout the piece.   All the different colors and details are what make Juan’s pottery so amazing.  There is a watercolor painting that comes with the jar with a realistic hummingbird and flower.  The jar is signed, “Juan, Lois”.  It is from 2019 and it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  He has won “Best of Pottery” at Gallup Ceremonials in 2017 and has been featured in articles in Cowboys & Indians Magazine and Native Art Magazine.