Naranjo, Louis

Louis Naranjo (1932-1997) was the son of Frances Naranjo Suina. Louis was born at San Ildefonso Pueblo, but when his mother married into Cochiti Pueblo and moved to her new husband’s home there, he went as well. Louis grew up at Cochiti and watched as his mother learned how to make Cochiti pottery. However, during those years he showed no interest at all.

Louis married Virginia Arquero (daughter of Salvador and Evaline Arquero, niece of Juanita Arquero) in 1961 and she learned how to make pottery from watching and working with Louis’ mother, Frances. She got really good at it and won a number of prestigious awards. Then she suffered a stroke.

While recovering from the stroke, Virginia and Frances taught Louis how to make pottery. He, too, excelled at the craft. Louis is credited with creating the first Bear Storytellers. Legend has it that, during a hunting trip, he unexpectedly came upon a mother bear playing with her two cubs. He ran to safety, but in those few seconds he noticed their sweet interactions. That contact inspired him to make bear storytellers. Sometimes Louis would collaborate on a piece with Virginia, sometimes with their daughter, Pauline. Usually, though, he worked on his own.

According to Southern Pueblo Pottery, 2000 Artist Biographies, Louis won an impressive string of ribbons at the Santa Fe Indian Markets between 1983 and 1996 with his innovative storyteller figures.