Russell Sanchez continues to use traditional techniques and materials to create his stunning works in clay.  This small bear is coil built and incised with a heartline. The bear was fired to achieve a gunmetal appearance to the surface. This is result of how the piece is fired and the temperature achieved. The heartline extends out from the mouth of the bear. 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 back has five bands of hei-shi beads, alternating between turquoise and jet.  The bear is signed on the bottom in the clay.  It is not often that we see such a perfectly fired gunmetal piece!