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The
Process
Process
The process in which this pottery is crafted is one of a traditional method. It all begins in
the mountains surrounding Mata Ortiz where the clay or barro is collected.
Once the clay is collected it is then washed out and layed out. It is then layed into a
shaped bowl to form the base.
It is now that the pot begins to take its form as they begin to coil the base and raise the
"olla" through a pinch method. There is no spinning wheel that is used. It is carefully
pinched up with symmetrical precision.
As the olla begins to take shape it will be allowed to dry and then polished with a fine
stone. The "olla" will then be ready to be painted.
The painting process is very unique in that the paint is derived from the "barro" or the
clay. It is all natural pigment being used.(although some artists are using commercial
paints for brighter colors i.e. green and blue).
The brush used to paint these fine world class geometrical shapes are none other than
strands of hair from their own children. It truly is a demonstration of resourcefulness,
creativity and talent!
Once the pot has been all painted it will then be allowed to dry and then fired. The firing
process will consist of a homemade kiln. This kiln is usually a hole in the ground
surrounded with a piece of metal and then covered with a metal tub and then covered
with cow chips and fired.
Once the firing process is completed the artist will now see if his/her creation survived
without a crack or a blemish. It is then that you have an original Mata Ortiz Pot.
the mountains surrounding Mata Ortiz where the clay or barro is collected.
Once the clay is collected it is then washed out and layed out. It is then layed into a
shaped bowl to form the base.
It is now that the pot begins to take its form as they begin to coil the base and raise the
"olla" through a pinch method. There is no spinning wheel that is used. It is carefully
pinched up with symmetrical precision.
As the olla begins to take shape it will be allowed to dry and then polished with a fine
stone. The "olla" will then be ready to be painted.
The painting process is very unique in that the paint is derived from the "barro" or the
clay. It is all natural pigment being used.(although some artists are using commercial
paints for brighter colors i.e. green and blue).
The brush used to paint these fine world class geometrical shapes are none other than
strands of hair from their own children. It truly is a demonstration of resourcefulness,
creativity and talent!
Once the pot has been all painted it will then be allowed to dry and then fired. The firing
process will consist of a homemade kiln. This kiln is usually a hole in the ground
surrounded with a piece of metal and then covered with a metal tub and then covered
with cow chips and fired.
Once the firing process is completed the artist will now see if his/her creation survived
without a crack or a blemish. It is then that you have an original Mata Ortiz Pot.