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Mary R. Lucero |
Jemez Pueblo |
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Mary Lucero |
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About Mary Lucero:
Mary Lucero is from Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico. She uses traditional Jemez pottery colors on her storytellers and uses the red clay from her own area as is traditional for Pueblo Potters.
She is known for care and detail in her work and also for being very innovative and imaginative in her designs. Her figures are very appealing. She captures the nature of small children and the warmth of a grandparent or elder passing on the precious traditions of the tribe by way of the stories.
She makes Santa Claus Storytellers, and Nativity sets also. Recently she has added "The Journey" of Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child to her repertoire.
Mary's daughters Joyce and Diane are carrying on her tradition.
(Taken from
this source.)
Mary R. Lucero is a full blooded Native American Indian. She was born into the Jemez Pueblo in 1948. Mary was inspired to learn the art of working with clay by her Grandmother, Magnita Lucero. Magnita introduced Mary to the hills that provided the best clay. Then, Mary gathers other natural pigments from the sacred grounds within the Jemez pueblo. Magnita taught Mary how to mix, shape, paint, and fire pottery the traditional way, outdoors. She began hand coiling her pottery at the age of 14, when she would watch her grandmother make her pottery the traditional way.
Mary specializes in the handmade pueblo styled storytellers, but does not limit her abilities. She also makes animals, nativity's and other clay sculptures. Mary uses natural colors to paint her pottery. Mary signs her pottery as: Mary R. Lucero, Jemez.
Mary is related to the following artists: Carol Gachupin (sister), Mary I. Lucero (cousin), Diane Lucero, and Joyce Lucero (daughters).
(Taken from
this source.)
Faces raised, mouths open and expressive eyes looking heavenward, the Holy family and Wise Men seem to be prayerfully singing in the Nativity sets by Jemez Pueblo clay artist Mary Lucero. Even the baby Jesus is kicking and raising his arms. Lucero, 59, is known for the exceptional painting on her figures, which range from miniature to six inches. The kneeling figures are painted with turquoise necklaces and Pueblo-style clothes.
Lucero, who also creates storytellers, has been working in clay since the mid-1980s, having learned the art from a sister-in-law. She began by making pots, but soon realized she much prefers forming and painting figures. "I sit down and pick up the clay, and I want them to be perfect," she says. "When I'm done I say to myself, 'Whoever buys this, I hope they will enjoy it.' " Lucero's work is available at Wadle Galleries, Santa Fe; Andrews Pueblo Pottery and Southwest Pottery, Albuquerque; and Six Directions, Taos.
(Taken from
this source.)
