Reyes Panama was born into the Jemez Pueblo in 1961.
Her inspiration to be an artisan came from the admiration she developed
while associating with several other artisans. She wanted to contribute
artistically just like other relatives and friends which were artistically
inclined. Reyes has been working with clay since the age of 24. She found that she enjoyed making clay sculptures
the best. The clay used for her sculptures is gathered within the hills
of the Jemez Pueblo. She cleans the clay, mixes the clay with temper,
forms it into a sculpture, sets it out to dry, sands her koshare sculpture,
paints with natural colors using minerals and natural plant life which
is also found within the Jemez Pueblo, and finally, fires her art the
traditional way, outdoors with cedar chips. Reyes’ koshares are
a unique work of art to admire, being that all is made from Mother Earth
materials. She adds dried corn stalks for the hair to add a unique flare
to her work. |
 |
