This is a deeply carved water jar by Christopher Youngblood.  He is creating carved vessels that reflect a strong balance of matte and polished surfaces with tightly carved designs.  This jar is coil-built, carved, and stone polished.  The jar has two medallions, one with a male avanyu and one with a female avanyu.  They are each carved in a circular medallion form.  Separating them are two round swirling cloud designs.  The swirling clouds are exceptional in how he carved and polished them.  There are four carved rows that are rounded and fully polished.  Note as well how they are carved on the shoulder of the jar, creating a “point” right at the center.  It is excellent placement for the light to reflect off the highly burnished surface. Above each section is a micaceous rainbow design, and below are mesas, also slipped in mica. The bottom of the jar is matte.  The inside of the jar is slipped with mica.  The background area surrounding the polished sections is matte and smooth.  The matte is always difficult to keep smooth so that any imperfection doesn’t cast a shadow!  The jar was traditionally fired red, which is always more difficult than creating the black pieces.  The red on this piece is a deep, rich coloration.  Chris says that he focuses on each piece, taking the time to work on the shape and stone polish the surface to a high shine, often polishing a piece several times to get it right. He has won numerous awards for his pottery, including the 2104 “Best of Pottery” at Santa Fe Indian Market and “Best of Pottery” at Gallup Ceremonials in 2021.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Chris Youngblood”.

Chris has said of his pottery:

“I’ve had generations of people before me who have had to learn the hard way. I’ve had that information given to me without having to go through all the struggles. But, I would say on the flip side, having someone so technically advanced as your teacher (Nancy Youngblood), let alone your mother, it’s hard. The expectations are a lot higher.  I’ve learned that now, I never think it’s done. I keep going until I cannot find anything I can refine or add to the piece. To achieve an ever-higher level of precision takes a lifetime. ’s not something you learn, it’s something you live.”  Christopher Youngblood, Spoken Through Clay