Naranjo, Florence

Florence (Aguilar) Naranjo was born into San Ildefonso Pueblo in 1921. Her parents were Rosalie and Joe Aguilar. She learned how to make pottery by watching and working with her parents and her grandmother, Susana Aguilar, as she grew up. Her mother, Rosalie, was from Picuris Pueblo and had moved to San Ildefonso after marrying Joe. Joe was an excellent painter but he made only a very few pots. Susana taught Rosalie the San Ildefonso way, then Joe painted pots for both Susana and Rosalie.

Florence grew up in that creative atmosphere and while she learned how to make pottery and how to paint early in life, she didn’t apply herself to making pottery until her children were grown. While her children were still at home, she applied herself more to weaving.

After Florence’s children were grown and out of the house, she started to participate in the Santa Fe Indian Market. She earned several ribbons there, including a First Place ribbon for a hand-woven rug.