Collaborating With Clay

The first time Chris Youngblood and Jennifer Tafoya collaborated on a piece of pottery, Youngblood finished his work two days before the art show that would feature it. That left Tafoya with fewer than 48 hours to complete her part of the project.

Youngblood had created the clay vessel and then worked with Tafoya to create the design, which he carved into the clay before polishing it and firing it. “I didn’t fully understand what it would take for her to do her part,” he says somewhat sheepishly.

Tafoya does most of her work after the firing is complete. She etches the finely detailed design, then adds color by applying natural clay paints to the pot. It’s precise work that’s not easily rushed. “I got it done,” she says. “I didn’t get any sleep during those two days, but I did get it done.”

Tafoya and Youngblood, who were married last New Year’s Eve, have since worked out most of the kinks in the process of collaborating on their pieces. They work together on the initial design stages, but then each takes a turn, using their respective expertise, to create the finished product.

Read the full article in the July/August 2026 issue.