Jemez Pueblo

Anita Cajero is a full blooded Native American Indian. She was born in 1965 into the Jemez Pueblo, she is a member of the Sun Clan. Anita began experimenting with clay at the age of 3, she learned all the fundamentals of working with natural pigments and slips from her family members and friends. Anita graduated with a BA from New Mexico Highlands University in 1983.

Anita specializes in hand sculpted and hand painted clay figurines, and traditional hand coiled pottery. She gathers her natural materials from within the Jemez Pueblo. Once her materials are harvested Anita breaks down the clumps of clay and temper, then, she mixes them together to begin the process of constructing her beautiful storytellers and fine pottery. She uses the pinch and coil method to build her figurines a similar technique to hand coiling. Once her figurine has been formed she allows the piece to dry. Once it has dried Anita uses a piece of sand paper to smooth out the rough edges. Finally, she is ready to hand paint using a stem of a yucca plant which is fashioned into a brush. When she is done with the painting she fires her pottery either the traditional way, outdoors, or in a kiln.

Anita enjoys making clay figurines because it is a way to express the Pueblo Culture. She signs her art as: Anita Cajero, Jemez. She is related to John Carrillo (father), Teresita Loretto (mother), Aaron Cajero, Sr. (spouse), Julie Loretto, Felicia Loretto (sisters), Leonora Loretto (grandmother), Esther Cajero (mother-in-law), Teri Cajero (daughter), and Aaron Cajero, Jr. (son).

Awards:
-Eighth Northern Pueblo Indian Market
-Santa Fe Indian Market

Publications:
-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Pueblo and Navajo Contemporary Pottery
-Directory of Artists
-Storytellers and Other Figurative Pottery