Martin, Mary Suina – 9″ Tall Storyteller with Six Kids (1987)

Mary Suina Martin “Tsiranitsa”, was a daughter of Santana Suina.  She was the  mother of Gladys Martin and Adrienne Martin.  She began making pottery in 1974, learning to make storytellers from Dorothy Trujillo.  This large storyteller is made from native clay, slipped with white clay and then painted with red clay slip and wild spinach (black).  The storyteller has six kids and she is intricately painted. Note the detail on the squash blossom necklace.  Each child is painted differently.   It is signed on the bottom, “Mary Martin”.  It was traditionally fired and in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  Definitely a classic figure by this historically important potter!