Main Subjects
Pueblos
Non-Pueblos
Artists
Shapes & Forms
Design Elements
Robert Patricio
Acoma Pueblo
Robert Patricio
Robert Patricio (given name: Bear) was born into Acoma Pueblo in June, 1976. When he was eight he began learning the traditional methods of hand coiling pottery from his great-grandmother Marie Z. Chino. Today he specializes in hand coiled, hand painted pottery.
After collecting the various clays, slips and natural vegetation (for the colors he uses), Robert begins the creation process. First, he prepares the clay by cleaning for impurities and then hand mixing with water. Next, he constructs his vessels from snake-like coils. These are then set out to air dry. Once dry enough, he sands them for a smooth finish. While the pottery is curing he boils the natural vegetation (such as wild spinach and flowers) and creates his colors. The process is finished after he applies designs and color to the pots and fires them.
Robert interprets the designs on his pottery from prehistoric pottery shards found within the bounds of Acoma Pueblo. His polychrome and black-on-white designs include Tularosa spirals, fertility, geometric, parrot, and kiva step patterns. Robert was awarded "Best in Pottery" at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 2010, cementing his position as a rising star in the world of Pueblo pottery.
Robert signs his pottery as: R. Patricio, Acoma, NM and R. & M. Patricio, Acoma, NM., the "M" coming from his wife, Melony (with whom he almost always collaborates). The couple have five daughters, three of whom have already been learning the pottery creation process from their father: Felisha, Kylie and Juanita.
Black and white jar with fine line design
6.75 in H by 8 in Dia
Polychrome jar with traditional designs
6 in H by 7 in Dia
Polychrome jar with floral and traditional geometric designs
10.25 in H by 12.25 in Dia
Black and white jar with a traditional geometric design
Polychrome jar with traditional geometric designs
10.75 in H by 11.75 in Dia
Polychrome jar with geometric designs
10.25 in H by 13 in Dia
Black and white jar with lightning bolt design
6.75 in H by 7.5 in Dia
Black and white jar with geometric design
7 in H by 8 in Dia
Black and white jar with kiva step interlocking design
12.25 in H by 13 in Dia
Black and white jar with interlocking geometric design
9.5 in H by 11 in Dia
Polychrome jar with interlocking lightning, rain and geometric design
10.5 in H by 12.5 in Dia
Polychrome jar with a geometric design
6.75 in H by 7.75 in Dia
Polychrome jar with geometric design
3 in H by 3.75 in Dia
Black and white jar with medallion and geometric design
10 in H by 11.25 in Dia
Polychrome seedpot with fine line geometric design
5.5 in H by 6.75 in Dia
Polychrome jar with parrot, floral and geometric design
11.5 in H by 12.5 in Dia