Paul Speckled Rock

Paul Joseph "Speckled Rock" Tafoya (1952 – 2017) was a Native American artist who was noted for his paintings, bear fetishes, bronze sculptures of Native American dancers, and redware and blackware pottery. A member of the Tewa and a resident of the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, Paul was the owner of the Merrock Galeria, which featured the work of contemporary pueblo artists.

Personal life

Born on February 6, 1952, Paul Joseph Speckled Rock Tafoya was the son of Paul and Tonita Tafoya. Paul Tafoya Sr., was a welder who served as the governor of Santa Clara Pueblo from 1964 to 1983. Paul Speckled Rock was a brother of Kenneth and Ray Tafoya, a nephew of Angela Baca, and a grandson of Severa Tafoya, all of whom were noted Santa Clara Pueblo potters. Paul graduated from Espanola High School in 1970 and legally changed his name from Tafoya to Speckled Rock at that time. He then attended the National Electronics Institute, where he received an apprenticeship in architectural engineering.

In February 1972, Paul married Rosemary "Apple Blossom" Lonewolf, a noted potter who was a daughter of Joseph Lonewolf and niece of Grace Medicine Flower. Paul and Rosemary's son Adam Speckled Rock, who is a potter in his own right, was born in November 1972. At this time, Paul decided to turn his attention to art. He also worked weekends as a tribal policeman at the Santa Clara Pueblo from 1973 to 1976 to support his family. a contemporary potter who opened her own studio in 1998. Paul subsequently married Rosalda Vigil, daughter of Ernesto Vigil, a municipal judge for the City of Espanola. Paul Speckled Rock died in early 2017.

Artistic creations

Paul Speckled Rock began his artistic career in 1973 by producing a series of small paintings, usually featuring pueblo motifs. A photo of Paul at work in his studio in 2012 was posted on Flickr by one of his visitors.

Awards Year The Galeria featured the work of various pueblo artists, not only from Santa Clara Pueblo but also from other pueblos in the American Southwest. Regarding his ownership of the Galeria, Paul remarked: "I find selling other people's work rewarding. I get to learn more about who my customers are. No two people are alike, and all have different tastes."