Leno, Joyce – Large Owl Storyteller with Two Baby Owls

Joyce Leno (b. 1952) is a great-granddaughter of Eulilia Vallo, a granddaughter of Lupita Vallo and daughter of Juana Leno.  This is a charming large owl storyteller.  Owls are often depicted in clay in both Zuni and Acoma pottery.  This figure is coil built and painted with bee-weed (black) and red clay.  The entire piece is fully painted.  The owl has two baby owls perched on her wings.  It is signed on the bottom, “Joyce L.”