A native of Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, Russell Sanchez makes his pots from natural clay he finds at the Pueblo and using the hand-coil method, is committed to being a traditionalist and respectful of his heritage from his great aunt, the potter Rose Gonzales. As a youth, he spent many hours watching the older potters work, and his great aunt taught him the art of deep carving pottery that she had revived in the 1940s and 50s. She also taught him how to fire his pots and then display them for sale.

Sanchez is also very much 'of this world' and is an enthusiastic hiker, rafter and kayaker and has navigated rivers in Africa and South America. However, he always returns to the ceremonial life of his ...