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Nancy Youngblood is history in the making. This site is intended to be a resource for those interested in knowing about her traditional, Native American pottery, her family history, current exhibits, articles and publications, awards and contact information.
Nancy Youngblood is the flame. She is the flame that dances behind every jewel-like piece of pottery she produces. Each piece is like her child; birthed by Nancy's flame into perfection. Nancy Youngblood (native name Yellow Aspen) was born at Fort Lewis, Washington in 1955 to Mela and Walton Youngblood.
Pottery by Nancy Youngblood Award Winning Native American Southwest Traditional Pueblo Pottery.
Nancy Youngblood (Yellow Aspen) was born to Santa Clara potter Mela Tafoya and army serviceman Walton Youngblood in 1955, at Fort Lewis, Washington. She spent the first thirteen years of her life living on army bases across the United States until Walton was deployed to Vietnam, after which she …
Nancy Youngblood is Mela Youngblood’s daughter and Margaret Tafoya’s granddaughter. She was inspired to make the swirl melon bowls when she saw one made by her great-uncle Camilio Tafoya. Each piece is coil-built, carved, stone polished, and native-fired.
Santa Clara Pueblo artist Nancy Youngblood fires each piece of pottery in the traditional way using an open pit that resembles that of a campfire. Early on, she would fire outside, being vulnerable to wind and rain, elements that dictate how successful a firing will be.
The Old Ways. Creating the Pot. Cornmeal offerings and prayers of thanks to the earth for her gifts begin with the gathering of the clay. The Tafoya family traditionally gathers to dig their clay in September or October on Santa Clara Pueblo land, bringing their trucks and a picnic lunch.
