Born to Tito and Bernice Naranjo in 1968 in Santa Clara Pueblo (Tito is from Santa Clara while Bernice is from Taos Pueblo), Dusty grew up in a family steeped in the Santa Clara Pueblo pottery tradition. Among the potters she was surrounded by as a child were her mother Bernice, her grandmother Rose Naranjo, her aunts Jody Folwell, Dolly Naranjo, Nora Naranjo-Morse, Tessie Naranjo and cousins Roxanne Swentzel and Susan Folwell. Today she says her work has also been inspired by Jody Naranjo, Tammy Garcia and Henry Moore.

Since graduating from high school she took the time to earn her BA in psychology from New Mexico Highlands University and then earned her MA in Art Therapy. At the same time, she has spent most of the last 20 years honing her pottery skills. Among Dusty's favorite designs are horses, birds and dragonflies. She particularly likes working in the sgraffito (etched) method on pots of her own design. Her pottery shapes and the designs are sometimes inspired by architecture and paintings she has seen recently that touched her in some way. We also know Dusty to be a bit of an adrenaline junky as she sky dives, skis double black diamond runs and enjoys adventure traveling (ask to see her Alaska photos if you get the chance).

Some Awards Earned by Dusty

• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market: Classification II - Pottery, Division C - Traditional Burnished Black or Red Ware, Incised, Painted or Carved: Best of Division shared with Bernice Naranjo
• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market: Classification II - Pottery, Division C - Traditional Burnished Black or Red Ware, Incised, Painted or Carved, Category 702 - Carved or incised, black or red, over 8": First Place shared with Bernice Naranjo
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, using traditional techniques and materials, any shape or design, Category 1408 - Sgraffito, black or black two-tone: Second Place
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, using traditional techniques and materials, any shape or design, Category 1409 - Sgraffito, red or red two-tone: Third Place