Black Bear is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana and is now living in the mountains of eastern Kentucky.  He is an award-winning potter (Santa Fe Indian Market in Santa Fe, NM, Heard Museum Indian Market in Phoenix, AZ, Northern Plains Tribal Art in Sioux Falls, SD, and Eiteljorg Indian Market in Indianapolis, IN).

Black Bear learned the use of clay from the Naranjo family of Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico (Gia, or Rose Naranjo, the matriarch, taught him the importance of hard work and good form, Jody Folwell was influential in his design, and Roxanne Swentzill taught him much about freedom of expression in her “little people”).  Another teacher was the master potter, Lucho Soler, from Peru.

Black Bear was taught to use traditional materials and techniques.  The clay is gathered from the earth by hand and mixed with volcanic ash or mica.  All vessels are made from native clays of New Mexico and Kentucky, built with coils, covered with a clay slip and burnished with a stone.  Vessels are preheated to eliminate moisture and reduce breakage and then primitive fired.

Black Bear shares “My Gia (mother in Tewa) taught me to speak to the clay and it would take care of me.  The pottery is my life: it provides for me, feeds me and clothes me.”  Black Bear loves working with the clay; producing something with his hands -- a form of Creation.  The clay centers him and gives him a sense of place.  He has to pay attention to it.  Black Bear states “For me, the pottery is a great source of inner peace and pleasure.  I believe it shows in the simple and elegant forms and strong colors.”