Naranjo, Frances

Born into Santa Clara Pueblo in 1949, Frances Naranjo is the daughter of Madeline Naranjo and José G. Naranjo. She learned how to make pottery through watching and working with her mother as she grew up. In her mother’s honor, Frances named her daughter Madeline and she has grown into being an excellent potter, too.

Frances’ brother Fidel Naranjo also learned how to make pottery the same way. Their brother Joseph also probably learned to make pottery as he was growing up but he chose to go into law instead and eventually became Chief Judge Joseph Naranjo.

Like her mother, Frances preferred to make blackware jars, bowls, vases and wedding vases. She also liked to carve them with avanyu (the mythic Tewa water serpent) and geometric designs.