Lucy M. Lewis

Who was Lucy M. Lewis?

Lucy Martin Lewis was a Native American potter from Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico. She is known for her black-on-white decorative ceramics made using traditional techniques.

Lewis began making pottery at age eight, after studying with her great aunt, Helice Vallo.

Lewis's pottery is made from a gray claybody and formed by hand using coils. After the pot is shaped and dried, a white slip is applied. Without the slip the mineral paints would run off the pot. Next the design is applied using mineral paints and a brush made from the brush holds more paint and makes finer lines than regular brushes bought at a store. Finally on a day when the weather is right for a firing, a small number of finished pieces are carefully pit-fired. Results are rarely 100%. Some pieces will end up cracked, the background on others will be gray rather than white, but a few will be wonderful. After going through this process one learns why these pieces should be well taken care of and carefully preserved.

Her designs are inspired by Anasazi and Mogollon culture potsherds.

Lewis did not speak any English. Her final art show was the 1991 SWAIA Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico.