Adobe Gallery Blog

Jean is a daughter of Priscilla Namingha Nampeyo and the granddaughter of Rachel Namingha Nampeyo. Her great grandmother was Annie Healing Nampeyo, whose mother was Nampeyo of Hano.  Jean has seven siblings, all of whom are potters or Katsina doll carvers. Her brothers and sisters are Nyla Sahmie, Rachel Sahmie, Bonnie Chapella, Randy Sahmie, Andrew Sahmie, Foster Sahmie and Finkle Sahmie. Jean is the only member of the family who signs her name Sahmerather than Sahmie.  

Jean has a very artistic style of creating designs on pottery. She does not hesitate to select parts of traditional Sikyatki design elements and to arrange them in a most artistic and pleasing manner.