Harlan Reano

Harlan Reano (Kewa Pueblo/Santo Domingo) creates hand-painted pottery that blends traditional Pueblo techniques with a contemporary aesthetic. Working with Cochiti clay and all-natural materials, he creates and paints each piece with distinctive cream and black designs inspired by historic Santo Domingo pottery as well as his own creative vision. His pottery is traditionally outdoor fired, honoring generations of Pueblo ceramic traditions while embracing innovation through form and design.

Reano developed his pottery skills under the influence of the Ortiz family of Cochiti Pueblo, learning the intricacies of pottery making and painting through years of close collaboration and mentorship. His work reflects a deep respect for traditional methods while introducing bold, contemporary imagery and compositions that have become his signature.

Beginning with figurative sculptures rooted in the traditional Cochiti style, including human and animal forms such as frogs and lizards, Reano has expanded his body of work to include ollas, jars, vessels, and sculptural forms. His pottery maintains strong connections to Pueblo tradition while offering a fresh, modern perspective through dynamic surface designs and expressive craftsmanship.

Reano's work has received numerous honors, including Best of Pottery at SWAIA's Santa Fe Indian Market in 2012 and Best of Pottery at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market in 2010 and 2011. His hand-painted pottery is represented by Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where collectors appreciate the balance of cultural tradition and contemporary artistic expression found in every piece.