Tafoya, Earlene Youngbird

Earlene Youngbird Tafoya is a potter from Santa Clara Pueblo. Her husband is Robert Tafoya, son of Mida Tafoya and grandson of Christina Naranjo. Her sister-in-law is Sherry Tafoya. That whole family is known for their beautiful carved pottery. But Earlene paints her pottery, she doesn’t carve.

Among Earlene’s siblings are Marie Askan, Joyce Sisneros and Merton Sisneros.

Earlene often includes three bands of design in her decorations. One of those bands is usually a stylized avanyu that wraps around the entire piece. Another band is usually terraced rain clouds and/or feathers while the third band is usually a geometric design of her own creation. Her color palette is reminiscent of the color palette of Ohkay Owingeh.

Earlene was a participant in the Santa Fe Indian Market for years, often sharing a booth with her mother-in-law, Mida Tafoya. She was also a long-time participant in the annual Eight Northern Pueblos Arts & Crafts Show.