Russell Sanchez continues to use traditional techniques and materials to create his stunning works in clay.  This bear is highly polished and fired to a striking gunmetal coloration.  The bear has a wide body and a sculptural form.  The back is etched with raincloud and sun designs.  The sun imagery is inspired from the painted designs  of Tonita Roybal.  The bear has a heartline which extends from the mouth, through the designs to the back feet.  The back of the bear has two inset pieces of Lone Mountain Turquoise.  They are striking in contrast to the high shine.  Rusell has also inlaid five rows of hei-shi beads, alternating between hematite and jet. The bear is a symbol of strength and the heartline is a traditional image used to symbolize the heart as the center of power in the animal.  The bear is signed on the bottom in the clay.  It won a Blue Ribbon at the 2018 Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonials.