Barbara Martinez, Santa Clara Pueblo blackware, carved rain serpent design jar

In 1947 Barbara Martinez “Jo-Povi”, Cactus Flower was born into the Pueblo of Santa Clara-Tewa. Barbara’s mother, Flora Narranjo inspired her to learn the art of pottery making—Barbara has been making pottery since 1965, when she was 18 years old. Barbara is related to several other artists—Vickie Martinez is her daughter, Chris Martinez, Manuel Martinez and Sammy Naranjo are her sons, and Glenda Naranjo is her sister. Barbara specializes in traditional handmade black and red carved Santa Clara Pottery. She collects her clay from the Santa Clara Pueblo hills and then cleans, mixes, hand coils, shapes, carves and fires her pieces outdoors. One of her favorite pieces to design is a tall vase with a water serpent and feather designs carved onto the surface. Barbara has been mentioned in publications such as Santa Clara Pottery Today and Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies.

http://www.material-insight.com/IndianArt/PeoplePhotos/MartinezBarbara.htm