La Vida Verde, Inc.
Design. Import. Wholesale

PAIT-072 CIR Y
4 1/2 " round
waterproof
designed by Michael Barker

Many of the pots are hand built and some are thrown on a potters wheel. For the hand-built pieces the artist sits on the ground, with his or her bare feet crossed in front of them. They use the soles of their feet to hold the pot while their hands shape and mold its form. The finished piece is given a slip coat of color and is burnished with a special polishing stone to a brilliant shine. Then using a paste that is a mixture of earth and water, the artist draws designs onto the pot. When the paste mixture is removed after the firing, that which was covered retains its initial slip color and everything else turns black or deep brown from the smoke of the fire. The smoke is achieved with mango leaves being added to the kiln during firing.

It is the belief of the potters that in making vases and figurines they are giving an offering to the ancient Gods. They say that the earth has been good to them and it is only right that they give back to the earth throught creating what they call, "Mud Jewels." We know their work as Chulucana Pottery.