Born into Santa Clara Pueblo in 1957, Paul Naranjo grew up surrounded by some of the finest traditional Native American potters on Earth. His father, Raymond Naranjo, was known for his ceramic animal figures and his ceramic models of Puye Pueblo. Paul specialized in nature and wildlife sgraffito designs on brownware pottery.

Paul also worked with Kevin Naranjo for a while, you can still see that influence in Kevin's sgraffito work. Sadly, Paul passed on in 2002.

There's not a lot of information about Paul's life but he did submit pieces for judging at the Santa Fe Indian Market and earned several awards for his work:

• His first ribbon seems to have been a Second Place ribbon for an animal figure made by a student age 12 and under.
• In 1988 he earned a Third Place ribbon for sgraffito design.
• In 1989 he earned a Second Place ribbon for a miniature black piece with sgraffito decoration.
• In 1990 he had a really good year, earning a Best of Division ribbon for non-traditional pottery (using new forms) made using traditional materials and techniques, and a First Place ribbon for sgraffito style without stones on any color except black.
• In 1991 he earned a Second Place ribbon for a black piece with sgraffito decoration and no stones, and another Second Place ribbon for sgraffito design without stones on any color except black.
• In 1992 he earned a Third Place ribbon for sgraffito decoration without stones on a black or black/two-tone piece.