Susan Folwell is one of the exciting innovators in Pueblo pottery.  This jar is part of her series for, “Taos Light: Maidens to Mantas”.  The focus is on Susan re-interpreting the work of the Taos Society of Artists. This tile is inspired by the painting “Water Carriers” by Walter Ufer.  Susan says of this piece:

Tiles are always so difficult to make, but I wanted to challenge myself to do one that is exceptionally large.  In the original painting by Walter Ufer, the coloration of the blue is so intense.  I wanted to soften it so that the clay would have room to breathe. When you have a painting that is powerful, I leave the faces undefined so that it is not a “copy” but it leaves them to the imagination.  The “frame” became one of my very intricate “bejeweled” designs. I want the little squares to look like turquoise, coral, silver, and gold.

The tile is intricately etched around the edge to create a tile or mosaic appearance.  The central design is delicately painted and captures the women and the pottery.  There is a striking sense of movement and the use of the natural clay for the color of the background is perfect!  The til is signed on the front.