Roger Pino, Navajo Kachina maker
My name is Roger Pino and I was born at Rehoboth, New Mexico and raised in Pinehill, New Mexico. I attended school at Ramah and Pinehill, New Mexico. I am now married and have one child. My clans are Tangle and Sleeping Rock. I make longhair Kachinas - symbols of the intermediaries between the Heavens and the Pueblo Indians here on earth. I specialize in making the longhair Shalako doll. The Shalako doll represents a healing dancer. I have made many sizes of these dolls ranging from two inches to sixty-five inches tall. A close friend of mine, who is half Hopi and half Navajo taught me the skills of making longhair kachinas. As I prepare to start my creations, I search and collect cottonwood throughout different areas of New Mexico and Colorado. During cottonwood gathering, I get a chance to do some hiking and appreciate the beauty of nature, especially the creeks, lakes, and mountains. After I collect dried cottonwood, I decide what style and size of doll to make given the piece of wood that I have. I shape, sand and carve the wood and then make the patterns by woodburning. The last step is to paint the kachinas. Sometimes my wife helps me paint the dolls. I usually do the detail painting such as the face and all the intricate designs on each doll. I have been carving dolls for the past four years. To make a two-inch doll takes a little over one hour. Most of the medium size kachinas take an entire day. The large sixty-five inch doll can take much longer. I would say that I get my inspiration from the on-going orders that I receive from my customers. Their compliments of each doll I make contribute also. My art has led me to meeting many people as well as making many friends. Click on any image below to view an enlargement, more information or place an order.
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