Paul Speckled Rock, Santa Clara Pueblo Artist

Award winning Santa Clara Pueblo artist Paul Speckled Rock was active 1973 - 2014. He was known for his redware and blackware pottery. He is also noted for bear fetishes, sculptures, and paintings in watercolor, acrylic and pen and ink.

Paul J. Speckled Rock (1952-2017) Paul Tafoya was the son of Tonita Tafoya and Paul Tafoya and father of Adam Speckled Rock.

In 1973, Paul Speckled Rock decided to pursue painting full time. As a self-taught artist, Paul progressed from his early watercolors to bright and bold acrylics. Paul chose to depict the colorful Pueblo Indian dancers or to create striking geometric designs from traditional symbols in his paintings.

In 1983, Paul started making pottery. He was best known for his pottery bear figures. He also mixed media, such as adding bronze lids with Pueblo figural dancers atop his pottery with complimentary incised designs. He also experimented in micaceous slips with excellent results.

Reference: Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.

TAGS: Santa Clara Pueblo, Adam Speckled Rock, Native American Paintings, Adam Speckled Rock