Transfiguration

On New Year’s Day 2026, as the sun rose, I officially completed my term as Lieutenant Governor of Pueblo de Cochiti. Looking back on 2025, "amazing" feels like an empty word; no single descriptor fits. A year ago, I was in a fog of fear. I felt unready and, honestly, heartbroken that my art career had come to a sudden halt.

Entering Pueblo leadership is like being dropped into the middle of a high-speed Los Angeles interchange without knowing how to drive. The pace is relentless—a constant web of emergencies, meetings, and travel. Yet, in that whirlwind, something unexpected happened. Instead of stifling my creativity, the pressure ignited it. I began working with clay again, but the work was different. It was topical, personal, and deeply informed by my service.

That energy carried me to the Santa Fe Indian Market, where two pieces born directly from my leadership experiences took first and second place. By the end of my term, my art had become more refined and purposeful, even serving as diplomatic gifts for ambassadors and secretaries. I return to my life as a full-time artist not just with my career back, but with a soul full of new context, insight, and joy.