This is one of the few canteens that Virgil Ortiz makes each year.  The piece is coil built and painted with native clay slips and wild spinach (a plant) for the black.  The front of the canteen is painted with a very intricate version of Tahu, the Blind Archer in her 2180 version.  The story for this imagery from the Pueblo Revolt 1680/2180 series.  The back of the canteen has a hummingbird, which is symbolic for Virgil’s mother, Seferina Ortiz, who taught him to make pottery.  Note as well the “spirit line” which is a space in the painting on the rim.  The additional imagery with the swirls and spirals are the wildflower plants.  Virgil has also incorporated his signature “x”, which is the turkey track, onto the back of the canteen. Virgil made the leather strap.  The piece is signed on the back.  The use of traditional and contemporary imagery has become a standard for Virgil’s pottery as he pushes the boundaries of contemporary Native clay.