Joseph Lonewolf facts for kids

Joseph Lonewolf (born January 26, 1932 – died November 9, 2014) was a talented Native American potter. He came from Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, United States. Joseph Lonewolf was famous for using old pottery methods. He also created new ways to decorate pots.

He developed techniques called sgraffito and bas-relief. Sgraffito means scratching designs into the clay surface. Bas-relief means making designs that slightly stick out from the surface. He used a special nail to carve his beautiful art. His father, Camilio Sunflower Tafoya, was also a pottery artist. Before becoming a full-time potter in 1971, Joseph worked with machines. An injury made him change his career.

People often called his pottery "pottery jewels." His works were special because they used Mimbres designs. These designs were often on small, reddish-brown pots. Mimbres designs often showed geometric animal shapes. Joseph Lonewolf said, "Each pot had a meaning but most are about nature."

Gathering Clay: A Respectful Tradition

When Joseph and his family went to collect clay, they did it with great respect. Before taking clay from the earth, they would say a prayer. They asked permission to take the clay. They also told the "clay mother" they would make her into a beautiful pot.

After bringing the clay home, they added water to it. This turned the clay into a liquid form called "slip." The slip was then strained through a screen. This removed any small rocks or roots. Finally, the clay was dried and prepared. It was then ready to be shaped into pots.

Firing Pottery: Turning Clay into Art

Once a pot was carved, it needed to dry completely. This is called a "bone dry" state. Then, it was time for firing. Firing is like baking the pot to make it hard.

They set up four tin cans and placed a metal basket on top. This allowed air to flow underneath. The pots were carefully placed inside the basket. A fire was then built under the basket. Long pieces of bark were leaned against the stack, like a tepee. The whole pile was then lit on fire.

After the bonfire burned down, they added horse manure. This smothered the flames. This created a special smoky environment. This process made the pottery turn black. This gave Joseph Lonewolf's work its unique look. He believed that talking about a pot before it was finished would make it break during firing.

Joseph Lonewolf's art was featured in a TV series. This series on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) showed American Indian artists. Other famous artists in the series included R. C. Gorman and Helen Hardin.