Minnie Vigil is renowned for her polychrome pottery.  In the 1980’s she created a distinctive style of pottery using different clays to create colorful designs on her pottery. This large plate was made by Minnie and painted by both Tim Vigil (her son, Sunbird) and Minnie.  There are 18 feathers encircling the piece and the feathers were painted by Tim.  In the center is one of Minnie’s classic rain clouds, which she painted.  There are at least six different clay colors used on the plate, which makes it a true polychrome (meaning more than three colors of clay).  Note the style of the feathers, with the vent (rectangle) in the center.  This is the older style that was incorporated from ancient Mimbres pottery.  The plate is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is signed on the back, “Minnie and Sunbird”.  She is a sister to potters Gloria Garcia (Goldenrod), Lois Guiterrez, and Thelma Talachy and an aunt to Jason Garcia and Juan de la Cruz.  Her mother was Petra Gutierrez and her grandmother was Pasqualita Gutierrez.  The last photo is one that I took of Minnie (left) and Tim (right) at Santa Fe Indian Market in the 1980s!