Gaylon Westika is the son of noted potters Anderson and Avelia Peynetsa.  Each piece is coil built and painted with classic Zuni imagery.  This piece is one of his larger duck figures. The piece is built as a jar and then the wings, tail, and beak are added.  It is exceptionally painted with great details and classic Zuni designs.  The piece is also slipped with four colors, a dark red (top and base) a lighter orange-red (body), black and white.  The neck of the piece is paitned with swirling rainbirds with fine-line designs.  Below the shoulder are also interconnected rain birds and dragonflies.  Note the additional work on the wings (top and bottom) and the tail (top and bottom!).  The dragonflies are significant as prayer messengers. The figure is striking both in shape and design.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay.  Gaylon says of his art:

“I work hard to develop pottery that speaks both to me and others about the beauty that exists here in Zuni. With the completion of each piece, I believe the breath of my ancestors live on, reminding us of the Zuni culture, traditional design and lifestyle we strive to preserve.” Gaylon Westika