Potter, sculptor, metal-smith, glass-blower. Tammy Garcia (more here and here) is an artist who's skill and style crosses into many mediums. Whatever form her work takes, it is easily recognized. The dynamic use of pattern and graphic elements combined with a bold sense of depth and dimension.



Coming from a long family heritage of Santa Clara potters, Garcia is hailed as one of the top Native American clay artists. Her vessels are striking in their shape and design. Taking traditional Pueblo symbols and shapes off the "canvas" of traditional pottery and raising them into a dimensional element adds that much more punch to the already brilliant design.



Having moved into bronze several years ago, her sculptures are just as eye-catching as her clay work. The same dimensionality and simple, bold design exists in this medium, on a much more dramatic scale.



To me, though, no matter what medium, Garcia's shape and design elements are what catches my attention. She is a master of combining the graceful with the kinetic forceful. She is represented by the Blue Rain Gallery in Taos, New Mexico.

"I need the challenge of trying new things. I don't want to repeat the same shapes and designs all the time. Sometimes the shape of a piece changes as I'm working on it, and I have to give in to the change. Sometimes the clay speaks, and I have to listen."

My work has always been based on simplicity and realism, but I've always been weaker in the more abstract elements, and I've often turned to the Native American artists in search of inspiration. Even by today's design standards, traditional Native American use of symbols and pattern is rich, effective and elegant.