Laguna Pueblo

Raymond “Ray“ J. Lucario is a full blooded Native American Indian who was born into the Laguna Pueblo in 1971. Ray was given the Indian name of Sunrise at a young age.

Ray was inspired to learn the art of hand carving kachina dolls on cottonwood root by the admiration he had for Hopi artist’s work.

He began experimenting with wood at the age of 16, and has continued to perfect his carvings since that time. His family and friends encouraged him to learn some sort of art so that he may add to a long lived legacy of Native American Indians. The lucrative aspect of the business also played a key roll in his decision to become an artist.

Ray hand carves cottonwood root into magnificent full bodied kachina dolls with a simple tool, like a pocket knife. His dolls are carved with extreme precision and detail. He applies acrylic paints to his dolls and paints them very carefully because it is essential to represent the kachina’s as accurately as possible.

Ray signs his dolls as: R. Lucario, Laguna.

Ray is related to the following artists: Arthur Lucario (father) and Sally Garcia (aunt).

Awards:
-New Mexico State Fair various years