fire sculpture

Mauricio Morales crafts a small ceramic bird figurine that features exquisite hand painted detailing. "The process for making these small animals was something I learned when I was small...since then it has become a passion of mine," says the Guatemalan artisan, adding that the bird sculpture is made for, "...all of those who love birds." He starts by mixing the clay and carefully shaping the figure, and then he adds aluminum legs and feet. After the bird is fired, he sands it, mixes his own colors, and paints the figurine. The result is a charming and precise depiction of a robin complete with brownish-grey plumage, black head, and orange breast.

Mauricio Morales crafts a small ceramic bird figurine that features exquisite hand painted detailing. "The process for making these small animals was something I learned when I was small...since then it has become a passion of mine," says the Guatemalan artisan, adding that the bird sculpture is made for, "...all of those who love birds." He starts by mixing the clay and carefully shaping the figure, and then he adds aluminum legs and feet. After the bird is fired, he sands it, mixes his own colors and paints the figurine. The result is a charming, painstaking rendering of a red-tailed hawk, complete with curved beak, mottled breast, and red tail feathers.

Mauricio Morales crafts a petite ceramic bird figurine that features exquisite hand painted detailing. "The process for making these small creatures was something I learned when I was small. Since then, it has become a passion of mine," says the Guatemalan artisan, adding that the sculpture is made for, "all of those who love birds." He starts by mixing the clay and carefully shaping the figure, and then he adds aluminum legs and feet. After the bird is fired, he sands it, mixes his own colors and paints the figurine. The result is a charming and precise depiction of a female cardinal complete with red-orange bill and reddish crest.

Mauricio Morales crafts a small ceramic bird figurine that features exquisite hand painted detailing. "The process for making these small animals was something I learned when I was small...since then it has become a passion of mine," says the Guatemalan artisan, adding that the bird sculpture is made for, "...all of those who love birds." He starts by mixing the clay and carefully shaping the figure, and then he adds aluminum legs and feet. After the bird is fired, he sands it, mixes his own colors, and paints the figurine. The result is a charming and precise depiction of a eastern bluebird complete with a rust-colored breast and throat and vivid blue shading on the wings, tail, and head.

Two baby owls bring as much joy to every space as they do to their mother. An expert versed in the art of ceramics, artisan Jose Arriola bring this small family of Tecolotes to life at his family workshop in the creative capital of Guatemala, Antigua. Jose creates these owls with the ancient wood-fired terracotta process, first forming the owl shape in a mold, then heating the clay in a kiln and applying a glazed finish. With a hand-painted personality, the baby owls and their mother bring luck to the space around them.

A single baby owl is easy for two adults, so the included grown-ups can relax while they're displayed on the desk or countertop. Working with ceramics his entire life, artisan Jose Arriola crafts this family of Tecolotes or owls from terracotta at his family workshop in Antigua Guatemala. Jose creates these owls using an ancient wood-fired process, forming the owl shape in a mold, heating the clay in a kiln and later applying a glazed finish.

Four baby owls are a lot of work for one adult, especially with their unique traits and personalities reflected in the way they behave, but thankfully the included grown-up can maintain the harmonious balance. Ceramics artisan Jose Arriola crafts this family of Tecolotes or owls, in the language of the Aztec, from terracotta at his family workshop in the creative capital of Guatemala. Jose creates these owls with the ancient wood-fired terracotta process, forming the owl shape in a mold, then heats the clay in a kiln and applies a glazed finish.

A grand parliament of owls bring the spirit of their native Guatemala to the home environment, each with its own disposition and expression. Master ceramics artisan Jose Arriola crafts this family of owls, at his workshop in Antigua Guatemala, where his family has been producing artisanal products for more than 100 years. Jose creates these owls with the ancient wood-fired terracotta process over the course of days. First, Jose forms each owl in a mold, then heats the clay in a 1300-degree kiln and applies a glazed finish before painting each owl by hand.

What ancient wisdom does this little man have to share? Handcrafted by Chorotega pottery artisan Elpidio Chavarría of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, this ceramic statuette of a seated man with headdress and glasses is the natural sand color of the clay with details painted in dark orange and brown.

Chorotega pottery is completely handmade with traditional techniques passed down through the generations for 3,000 years, and one of the last surviving cultural elements of the Chorotega people indigenous to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region and Nicoya Peninsula. Chorotega pottery is made from local clay mixed with a very fine freshwater sand. The artisans shape the clay on hand-operated pottery wheels and hand-polish the art piece to give it a smooth texture and luster. Designs are etched by hand and the pieces are painted with natural pigments made from pulverized local colored rocks mixed with water, then fired in traditional wood-burning brick kilns. The result is a beautiful, earthen pottery unique to this region.