About the Artist

(1915-1994)  This Cochiti potter was in her mid forties when she began making figurative clay sculptures in the late 1950's.  Previously she had worked with beads and leather fashioning items to make extra income.  A well known folk art collector, Alexander Girard encouraged Helen to make her "little people".  In response to Girard's interest, she reflected on her grandfather, Santiago Quintana, a man known for his storytelling ability.  Quintana became her inspiration for all the male storytellers she created.