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Tony Dallas
Hopi

Tony Dallas is a full blooded Native American Indian. He was born in 1956 into the Hopi Reservation. He married into the Cochiti Pueblo in the early 1980’s. He was inspired to learn the art of working with clay sculptures by observing his mother-in-law, Lucy R. Suina. He sparked an interest in working with clay at the age of 16.

Tony seriously began making pottery in 1982. He learned all the ancient traditional methods of constructing pottery and clay sculptures. Finally, he decided that he really enjoyed making storytellers and continues to create a very unique contemporary style of art. He stated, “I started to hand coil a regular storyteller. Then, I thought for a moment. Mudheads and Koshare clowns also tell stories and they are so humorous to me. So I began experimenting with different styles of storytellers using my creative imagination to construct them”. Tony’s style is a finely painted contemporary flare on a traditional sculpture. He signs his art as: T.D. followed by a badger claw to denote his Clan origin.

Tony is related to the late Charles Loma.

Publications:

-The Pueblo Storyteller
-Miniature Arts of the Southwest
-Miniature Figures in Clay
-Storytellers and Other Figurative Pottery
-Hopi-Tewa Pottery 500 Artist Biographies
-Talking with the Clay

Awards:

-1999 New Mexico State Fair 3rd Place
-Santa Fe Indian Market various years
-Rio Grande Indian Market various years
-New Mexico State Fair various years

Marquis Dann-Lente
Laguna / Hopi

Marquis Dann-Lente is a full blooded Native American Indian. He was born in 1970 and is a member of the Water Clan and a member of the Kachina Clan. He is half Hopi and half Laguna. Marquis was inspired to learn the art of working with clay from Preston Duwyenie from the Hopi Reservation and May Chavez from the Acoma Pueblo. They taught Marquis all the fundamentals of constructing hand coiled pottery using the ancient traditional methods that were passed down from generation to generation. The lucrative aspect of the business was also inspiration for him to learn this unique style of art.

Marquis specializes in hand coiled and hand painted traditional pottery. He gathers his natural clumps of clay and he harvests his raw plants from within the reservation. He breaks down the the clumps of clay into a fine powder form and cleans the clay for impurities. Then, he hand mixes the clay with sand and water to temper the clay. He begins the hand coiling process by rolling the clay into snake like coils and begins building his pottery to his desired shape. Once his vessel has been formed it is set out to dry. He fashions a brush from a yucca stem with his teeth and he boils his raw plants for his desired natural colors to paint his vessels. Once the vessels are dry he sands them for a smooth finish. Then, he begins hand painting his favorite designs such as birds, finelines, rainbow bands, and geometric designs. Finally, he fires his pottery the traditional way, outdoors with cedar chips. He signs his pottery as: Lente, Laguna. He is related to: Floyd Dann, Jr. (father), and Sandra J. Lente (mother).

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies

Awards:

-None to date

Dennis Daubs
Jemez / San Ildefonso

Dennis Daubs, “Oboweya” (Early morning runner before the kachina dance), was born in 1960. He is half Jemez and half San Ildefonso, member of the Eagle Clan. Dennis was inspired to make pottery from his Great Grandmother Maria Sanchez and his Grandmother Elvira Gachupin. At the age of 18 he started gathering his own clay and experimenting with pottery making.

Dennis specializes in the handmade sgraffito red or black polished pottery. He mixes his own clay, hand coils, shapes, etches, fires, and polishes his own pottery, the traditional way, outdoors. His sgraffito etchings usually include a detailed etched kachina dancer, animals or various shapes of geometrical designs on the different shapes of pots he coils. Dennis stated that “I use a different design on every piece of pottery that I make and each one is a challenging and rewarding one to complete.” Dennis signs his pottery as: Dennis Daubs, Jemez Pueblo. He is also a distant relative to the famous Maria Martinez.

Dennis is related to the following artists: Gerry Gachupin (mother), Patricia Daubs (sister), and the late, Steve Daubs (brother).

Awards:

-The Mart in Denver 1979
- Santa Fe Indian Market 1982 & 1984
-Eighth Northern Art Show 1986
- Las Vegas Art Show 1987
- New Mexico State Fair
-Other awards won too numerous to list

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni
-Miniature Arts of the Southwest

Gerri “Gachupin” Daubs
Jemez / San Ildefonso

Gerri “Gachupin” Daubs is a full blooded Native American Indian. She was born in 1935 into the small but active Pueblo of Jemez , New Mexico . She is a member of the Eagle Clan, which was passed down from her mother, Alcira Gachupin. Early schooling brought Gerri in contact with Al Momaday, Kiowa artist and teacher. Momaday nurtured young Gerri. Natural talent guided her art and design in the early years. Gerri’s grandmother, Maria Sanchez-Colaque was from the San Ildefonso Pueblo and first cousin to Maria Martinez, the famous master of the black San Ildefonso pottery. Gerri’s grandmother gave her the hands on experience of working with natural clay. She taught her all the fundamentals of hand coiling pottery using ancient traditional methods in the process, which was passed down to her from her ancestors.

Gerri’s work is exhibited in Red River and Raton , New Mexico . She also participates in several art shows throughout Arizona . In the last few years her work has appeared in collections all over the world and her reputation as an exceptional pottery artist is well deserved.

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
- Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies

Patricia Daubs
Jemez/San Ildefonso

Patricia Daubs, “Turquoise Flower”, member of the Eagle Clan was born in 1963 into the Jemez. She began learning the art of working with clay at the age of 12. Her brother, the late Steve Daubs, inspired her to continue the family tradition of pottery making. The lucrative aspect of the business also played a key role in her becoming an artist.

Patricia specializes in contemporary authentic hand-coiled pottery. She gathers her materials like sand, clay, and pigments from within the hills of the Jemez Pueblo. Patricia cleans, mixes, shapes, hand-coils, paints, and fires her pottery the traditional way, outdoors, with cedar wood chips. Her designs normally include feathers, kiva steps, and serpents. She also accents her pottery with turquoise stones to give it a unique style. Patricia’s pottery radiates tranquility. She signs her pottery as: Patricia Daubs, Jemez Pueblo , New Mexico . She is related to the following artists Dennis Daubs (brother), Gerri Daubs (mother), and the late Steve Daubs (brother).

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni

Awards:

-None to date

Anthony David
Hopi/ Navajo

Anthony David was born in 1965. He is half Hopi and half Navajo. He grew up in Winslow , AZ and he was inspired to learn the art of carving by his friend, Richard Gorman. Richard taught Anthony the fundamentals of carving on wood. Anthony has been carving on wood since 1989, at the age of 22. The lucrative aspect of the business also played a key roll in his inspiration to become an artisan.

With a simple tool like a pocket knife, materials like cottonwood root, acrylic paint, and an artists imagination, Anthony can transform a simple chunk of wood into spectacular images of full bodied spiritual kachinas. Kachinas are believed to be the spiritual guardians of the Indian way of life. There are over 300 known Kachinas from the Hopi Reservation alone. In ancient times, Hopi kachinas were used in religious ceremonies and were believed to bless and watch over the Hopi People. It is essential to represent a kachina doll as accurately as possible, for they are highly respected. Many of the dolls carved by Anthony are one continuous piece of wood, which is a difficult task to accomplish. His favorite doll to carve is the Eagle Kachina because of the highly detailed work involved. He enjoys the challenge of carving the feathers on the same piece of wood. Anthony signs his dolls as: A*David.

Gene C. Dawahoya
Hopi

Gene C. Dawahoya, “Lapan-Hyeoma”, (Icicle), member of the Bear Strap Clan (rope made out of bear hide), was born into the Hopi Nation in 1963. Gene is a self taught Hopi kachina carver. He was inspired artistically and was economically motivated to learn the art of wood carving. He began experimenting with wood carving at the age of 13.

Gene specializes in Hopi kachinas hand carved out of cotton wood root. Gene enjoys carving warrior kachinas because it reminds him of his great ancestors, when life was simple. Kachinas are of great importance to Gene and all other Hopi People. There is approximately over 300 hundred kachinas in existence and each has its own place within the Hopi Nation. Hopi People believe that Kachinas are supernatural beings. Kachinas are also used in certain religious ceremonies. The impelling force of the Hopi religion is the necessity for water in all forms such as rain, snow, and drinking water from the springs. Kachinas also provide hope for the Hopi Villages. Gene signs his kachina dolls as: Gene Dawahoya, Hopi, followed by a description of the doll.

Gene is related to the following artists: Beauford Dawahoya, Nuvadi Dawahoya (brothers), and Clyde Harris (son).

Publications:

- Arizona Highway Magazine

Awards:

- New Mexico State Fair 1st Place 2000
-1998 New Mexico State Fair 1st Place
-1998 New Mexico State Fair 2nd Place

Nuvadi “Snow” Dawahoya
Hopi

Nuvadi “Snow” Dawahoya was born into the Hopi Reservation in 1976. He began carving kachina dolls in 1995. His kachinas are carved from cotton wood roots, and carved with a variety of sharp knives. The wood is sanded smoothly and textured with a wood burner. The unpainted doll is then sprayed with a polyurethane to seal the beautiful grain. Then it can be painted and shaded with acrylic paints.

Nuvadi’s sons, Dion and Austin are his inspiration to further his artistic ability through the strong beliefs in his traditional culture. He has high hopes that someday they will continue to carry on the family tradition of carving kachina dolls from cotton wood root, as thier ancestors before him. “I was inspired and learned to craft my dolls from watching other family members. Although some of my work is traditional, I have created my own style of carvings. I am well known for my Butterfly Maiden and the Warrior Mouse kachina. They are two of my most famous pieces which I am credited with.

I am proud and honored to be artistically gifted with this special talent. I am also extremely enthusiastic about sharing my kachina dolls with all who respect and appreciate my artistic abilities and my cultural background”, Nuvadi Dawahoya.

Awards:

-1999 New Mexico State Fair 1st Place
-Santa Fe Indian Market various years