Between the railroad bridge and the church stands a neat little fenced
house, with a white Bronco in front. Obvious additions have been made to the
home, and one is immediately struck by the corner windows, which from the inside
will provide a nice view of the church. The entrance is through the new
rooms--four of them. The architecture is different than most Mata Ortíz
homes. Curving arches replace the rectangular doorways. In the corner of one
room stands a rock fireplace.
The home belongs to Carmen and Jesús Velóz and their four children, who range in age from five to 21. The new rooms, they claim, are the result of pottery. From a modest beginning of only three rooms and outdoor plumbing a few years ago, they have now increased their holdings substantially. It should be noted that the extended family also runs a herd of cattle.
Carmen began potting about eight years ago, learning by watching relative Gloria Lozora. "At first it was hard and I didn't sell many," she says. "People bought them for a peso. but, I worked and improved and the prices began to rise."
Husband, Jesús, used to just work on their labor, their hectare of land, but about six years ago, when the drought was really digging its claws in to the valley, he began helping his wife. "There was nothing else to do," he says, speaking of the drought. "They (the fields) were just dry." So, he helped with the dirty work--the sanding and polishing. Now their son, Martín (23), is en cargo of the fields and Jesús works fulltime with his wife. Both are involved in the firing.
"I call him (Jesús) my editor," Carmen laughs. The two of them also
teach several five-day classes each year in their home. For more information, go
to the Posada page.
The clays they use are white, red, gray, and yellow , all mined from several sites in the valley and the Sierras. Most pots they make are small, but finely painted by Carmen. Often, one sees light "seed jar' types, usually decorated with small cuadritos, or squares. She also fashions small matrimonial jars, adorned with black turtles.
Another recent innovation is the "salmon" color, a mixture of several clays. It is not marbleized but a blend to create the soft-rosy-orange flesh color of a Coho. "It is difficult to blend," Jesús says. "Too much red and the pot will explode."
Besides Martín, the other children are
22-year old Rosario, their daughter and her baby Paloma, Juantio (7) and 16-year old
António. Rosario helps her mother with sanding and painting and occasionally
makes her own pieces. António wants to further his schooling
as far as possible, although he is already showing talent as a cowboy. He loves to ride in the
jaripeos..With
the pottery bringing new wealth to the family, it is possible he will be able to
continue his education as far as he wants.
Home Magazine Quezadas Alfredo Bańuelos Nicolás Ortíz
© Copyright Michael Williams 2000. All Rights Reserved.
Last updated: October 24, 2001. Email Webmaster at: sanukthai@hotmail.com