Nathan has created his own distinctive “tri-color” style of pottery with the use of the red, tan and buff surfaces on his pottery.  This large water jar is an elegant form with an elongated neck.  The entire jar is fully carved! The neck is tan with a walking bear paw design.  The shoulder of the jar is carved with cloud and rain designs and polished red.  The base is the amazing section with the carved areas which extend up from the base. The carving in the negative space areas is always more difficult.  Those areas represent the corn plants and the water springs.  The contrast of the polished red and tan is stunning!  It is an exceptionally intricate jar with sharp edges and complex patterns. The jar is traditionally fired and has a striking contrast between the deep red and the tan polished areas.  On his red and tan pieces, after they are fired, he uses screwdrivers to scrape the background area and the side of the carving.  This can take almost as much time as the carving or polishing itself!  Amazing the amount of time that goes into each vessel and yet how stunning they appear!  The jar and lid are signed on the bottom in the clay with Nathan’s name and his hallmark of three deer tracks which represent his name in Tewa.