Tina Diaz has skillfully created her own unique style of carving pottery.  She is one of only a handful of Santa Clara potters who has mastered the technique of polishing her pottery tan.  The tan is the natural color of the clay and the most difficult to polish to achieve a high shine.  This red and tan jar is fully carved.  There is a bird and cloud design on one side in the red.  As the jar is turned the lightning design is carved and polished tan. She uses the negative space of the jar to create additional cloud motifs.  The neck and base of the jar polished red.   Note the various sections which create swirls and various angles for the design.   It is always technically difficult to carve such sharp angles and delicate edges into the clay.  The background has the traditional cream colored slip, which few potters use today because it is difficult to apply.  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay.