ABOUT THE ARTIST:
I remember years ago,where for the 1st time I came across a Mary Tafoya piece in one of the Museums here in Santa Fe..All I remember was her work literally stopped me in my tracks & in all the years in this business,she stood out like nothing I had never seen before & left me drooling at the museums window! It's not only for the fact that she has her own 'signature look', but because her pieces have a 'happy, & very whimsical" look to them & being a Folk Art lover myself,that drew me in even more for their heavy "Folk Art" feel ..Mary's jewelry has a contemporary Kewa Pueblo appearance,while maintaining "Old School/Traditional" techniques..
She comes from ancestry that passed the art of mosaic down to their children & it was her mother & father who were one of the 1st to create the old Santo Domingo "Thunderbird" necklaces that they would mosaic onto Battery Casings & LP albums.

Her work is ultra colorful, unique & has a positive upbeat feel in all she makes & will not sit down to create,unless her mind,heart,spirit,hands are in all in sync.You can find Mary's jewelry in many prestigious Museums like the Smithsonian,the Heard Museum & galleries internationally..Her work is unlike any other Pueblo artist & her work has it's own identity,that will always let you know whose work it is. Now we are well acquainted & is one of my main artists that I PROUDLY carry in my store!

Check out the PBS News Hour,where they were so impressed by her,that they did a show on her! You need to see this!!!

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/at-santa-fes-international-folk-art-market-culture-is-the-commodity
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DESCRIPTION:
**ABSTRACT ART: Art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures.~ "Oxford Dictionary"**

Abstract art couldn't be better described when it comes to this particular artist! Abstract art is all about how "YOU" see something & what you get out of it! (Which could be different than mine!)This necklace is THE perfect example!

The pendant drop is made with a colorful array of materials that are all cut by hand & then mosaic inlaid atop of a black jet backing & like any art,it developed into this abstract & very whimsical looking "Pharaoh', that has a rainbow of color in it's 'headdress'! In the body are whimsical shapes that come from her "signature" Conus shell,that you see quite frequently in most of her pieces. When the shell is sliced, they then create these shapes that are then used to create these wild & crazy forms you see.

The necklace has a nice compatible colored display of creamy yellow Melon Shell heishi beads & purple Charoite..It was just recently that Mary stated using Charoite & are all hand cut from the larger size rock & whole Melon Shell. Because of Mary's high in demand popularity & the inability at times to do everything completely by herself anymore, she has to now call on the help from her family.She has her Award winner husband Lorenzo (who is a master cutter,As well as a gold/silversmith!) cut the beads/heishi for her into precise disks.He then hand drills each & every bead.. Lorenzo is so skilled at cutting that if you run your hands down the strand,you won't feel rough edges! THAT'S how you separate one who's skilled from one who isn't! Pendant is non-detachable.

You can't go wrong with anything you get of Mary's,as well as as being ensured that NO ONE will have your piece,since no 2 are alike!!! This can pair with anything of Mary's & is a piece that can be treasured & passed on for a lifetime!(Please see my listings)