ArchivesTag : Mata Ortiz

Mata Ortiz Potters…Lori Andrew

On the dusty quiet street in Mata Ortiz last week, we met two teenage girls with some ceramic creations that were a little different. Masks like the ones produced down country but with techniques from Mata Ortiz. Two masks which are the creation of their mother, Lori Andrew.

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Mata Ortiz Potters…Rosy Mora

Outside the Villalba home Rosy waited with a few polychrome wonders…nothing was said as I selected several small Christmas ornaments and 2 small pots…delicate and smooth. A simple display of Mata Ortiz Pottery.

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Mata Ortiz Potters…Cesar and Gaby Dominguez

On the walls clung shelves and brackets with the supplies and detritus of 100s of days of shaping, sanding, painting…the meticulous potting culture of Mata Ortiz. Before us a beaming Cesar Dominguez holds one of his little pots, a unique museum quality green and graphite gem.

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Mata Ortiz Potters…the Villalba Family

We wandered around the Villalba home/studio for at least an hour…a truly Mexican home and an earthy potting environment. The matriarch watched with few words as I ran my naive eyes over her clay miracles. The walls behind her were layered with crosses, the pope, Jesus, Mary, lots of lights… The use of the reject car [...]

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Mata Ortiz Potters…Gerardo Mora

North of Copper Canyon, the town of Mata Ortiz is filled with potters…they call it “The Mata Ortiz Pottery Phenomenon”. You can actually get a vivid description of this on the video of the same name produced by The American Museum of Ceramic Art. This wonderful video includes footage of Mata Ortiz, interviews with Spencer [...]

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Mata Ortiz Potters…Tina and Eusebio Sandoval

Last week I was down in Mata Ortiz and made the rounds of ten or more homes visiting and buying pots. Diana Acosta was with me as was Alfredo Murillo. Alfredo (pictured in this recent post) is my right hand in Chihuahua City where he lives with his wife Norma and kids. He also guides [...]

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Is Copper Canyon Mexico safe for travel?

This question is the most common and important question I get about our tours to this majestic place. The answer is YES it is safe…and of course certain guidelines for travel are prudent as with travel to any city or remote area in the US. I have recently visited with three well- informed experts from [...]

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A conversation with Juan Quezadas at Mata Ortiz

I was traveling with Eric and Karen- theTrans Ameicas Journey people and we had the chance to sit down with Juan Quezada, the famous potter of Mata Ortiz. It was fascinating discussion about the origins of the family based pottery works. Check out this video and the pics below.

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