Clayton and Jim
with a load of cotton
wood root Jim brought
from Oklahoma for
Clayton's art.

Clayton Kaniatobe

Clayton Kaniatobe lives in Arizona on the Hopi Indian
Reservation, Second Mesa.  He has spent 11 years
carving and 8 years in the business of doing Art Markets.  
Clayton's carvings are intricately detailed.

He begins his creation with cottonwood root.  The root is
found along the river banks, wedged under bridges, or
sticking out from the soil due to erosion from flooding.  
The root must be dry before carving.Cottonwood root is
the only type of wood carvers use when making Katsina
Dolls.

There are different styles of carvings:  full figure, old style,
sculpture, etc.  Most carvers avoid using bird feathers,
leather, or shells.  Hopi Katsina Dolls are pure wood
carvings.  This means that the feathers, leather, etc. are all
wood carved.  Every carver has their own style of carving,
whether it is full figure or piecing.  Collectors often look for
these different styles when adding to their collections.

We met Clayton on one of our trips to the Hopi
Reservation and are pleased to consider him our friend.  
Jim has taken Clayton to several of our river banks in
Oklahoma to gather root for his carvings.  We hope you
enjoy the fine selection of Hopi Katsinas we have to offer
from Clayton Kaniatobe.