Large Coffee Cup, Petatillo Clay

Characterized by the thoroughness with which spaces in between the main figures are carefully decorated, receiving millimetric interlaced lines that form patterns resembling those of a Petate weave, hence the naming for such beautiful technique.

The colors mainly used for this technique are black and white, with designs that include nature-inspired motifs, therefor, there is a presence of green tones in these pieces, which are extracted from copper. With this pictorial weave of ideas, filled with minuteness and patience, spaces are filled in between trees, flowers, all kinds of animals, people, and even profoundly Mexican country landscapes.

 It is the wonderful miracle of life, that is expressed in almost each and every one of his pieces, with pairs of every type; including peacocks, deer, birds, horses, butterflies, men and women surrounded by children, even using death motifs… “Because wherever there is life, there is also death”.

For the elaboration of these pieces, a very special type of clay is required, as fine and pure as possible, resulting in an incredible piece of art. This type of clay is sifted until it becomes a very fine sand, then, water is added to form a very soft, smooth, and malleable paste. It is with this clay paste that the molding of the pieces begins, using a wheel, from which vases, flower pots, and other creations come to be.

After a piece is molded, it is left outside to dry for two to three days, being exposed directly to the sunlight for any humidity to evaporate. The pieces are then put through the first firing, with temperatures up to 1652 Fº degrees for timespans that range from 5 to 6 hours. Once the pieces cool down, the most laborious and artistic part of the process starts, a decoration process with the most fantastic designs.

Every piece is painted with brushes made by the artisan himself using dog fur. Once the pieces are completely painted, they are then submerged in an enamel giving the piece a glossy finish.

It is then that the piece is fired again in the oven, reaching roughly 212 Fº degrees for eight hours. During this process, as if through magic, colors start to appear. As an end result, painted designs shimmer with a very special brightness, while also allowing the piece to be freed from any lead content.

Having precise control of temperatures is very important. If the piece does not receive the right amount of heat, the paint may start melting, ruining the design and causing cracks in the clay.

Geronimo Ramos Flores

He is considered to be one of the great Potters of our time. Born in Zapotlan el Grande to a Potter family, and the oldest of 5 siblings, Geronimo started exercising his profession and devotion for pottery. It was during the 60’s, after losing his parents, Geronimo decided to move to Tonala, Jalisco, at the young age of 15.

After 27 years in Tonala, Geronimo had the opportunity to learn and became close to great artisans of the Petatillo Clay Pottery technique, such as Pedro Chavez Bernabe, and Jose Antonio Mateo Nuño, producing several displays of his great talent.

Geronimo has not only worked with Petatillo Clay, he has mastered techniques such as Burnished Clay and high temperature clay firing. He’s won several awards, on a Regional, State, and National level. He also has won the “Premio Nacional de la Ceramica” award several times over.

With a serious personality, yet with a very peculiar sense of humor, Geronimo is someone who loves his art and spends long hours in his workshop. Geronimo instills all of his knowledge and amazing creativity in each piece he creates, which can range from something as simple, as a coffee cup, to a more elaborate piece, using the most intricate decorations, worthy of the awards he’s received.

In the hands of this Zapotlan-born Artist, Petatillo and Burnished Clay tell the story, customs and traditions of the people of Tonala, who gladly opened their doors for him and made him their adoptive son, a son who has proudly represented them in the most deserving of ways.