Melissa Talachy-Romero is a daughter of noted potters Joe Talachy (b. 1943) and Thelma Talachy (b. 1942).  She learned to make pottery from her parents.  This is an early piece of her polychrome pottery.  It is coil-built and painted with clay slips.  The design are a series of clouds and rain designs.  There are six different colors of clay used on this piece, making it a true polychrome (more than three colors).  It is signed, “Puwanini”, which is her name in Tewa.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Today when Melissa does make pottery, the pieces are more contemporary in style and design.