Maxine Toya is well known for her figurative pottery.   Each piece is coil built and stone polished and painted with natural clay slips.  This is one of her iconic owl figures.  The owl is coil built and both carved painted. The six rows of feathers on the front are carved into the clay.  While they are visually striking, it is the very intricately painted designs on the back and head which are exceptional.  There are rain, cloud, and feather designs.  Note as well the use of the blue colored clay on the sides of the owls head!  The designs are all matte and painted with clay slips.  Only the eyes are polished. In Pueblo culture, owls are seen as protectors.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Maxine Toya”.