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One of the really wonderful parts of
my job is working with the Artesanos Mexicanos in various
small home-based shops in Mexico.
It is astonishing to think about the
amount of time this handwork takes.
Above, Susano Lopez shows us a finished
little pig, while his wife presses clay into the wooden
molds that form the body. On the right Benjamino works
on a large pig, shaping his ears to create that endearing
look pigs enjoy.
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Large pig from the new pair
before he is turned into a planter and fired.
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The clay used in
these animals, and most ceramics in the Tonala-Tlaquepaque
area, comes from local quarries. It is mixed wet with a
harder clay called “liga” , producing black
forms, which are then fired over wood in a brick kiln, producing
some wonderful reddish color variations. |
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