Tell us a little about yourself and your work.
I live in San Pedro, Ca and have lived in the South Bay and Long Beach areas my entire life.
I am a born and raised California native and 3rd generation Mexican American. I love the beauty and history of California and all of its raw landscapes from the ocean, to the desert, to the mountains. California and all its natural wonders inspires me.
The name of my “business” is Port Town Pottery because I started learning how to make pottery here, near the Port of Los Angeles. I find it to be quite beautiful in my opinion and filled with lots of wildlife, old plants, and history.
When did you get started in ceramics?
Over 10 or 12 years ago. I found a handbuilding class just up the street from us at Angels Gate Cultural Center and became obsessed. I knew I wanted to make mini pots and plant succulents in them for gifts. I knew very little about the plants except that I knew they were easy to grow and looked cute in these mini pots.
The memories of my childhood would come to mind. My mother introduced succulents to me when I was a child I still remember her words, “succulents can come in such cool shapes and many colors and are easy to grow.”
Many of your pieces have a western/desert style. What inspires this?
How does your love for plants play a role in your work?
What's in the near future for your and your work?
I plan to be doing a couple of sales in the fall and winter with Gary Duke. I will also be at The Palomar Cactus and Succulent show and sale at The San Diego Botanical Gardens in October. I’m also hoping to make more cacti printed mugs for the holiday season. Yes I’m thinking about holidays already. It takes time to make pottery and I have to plan ahead.
Mostly what I’ve found that is most important about my work is that I enjoy it. The plan is to keep doing what I love. Each piece is a way for me to share my love and enthusiasm for these plants, nature, and pottery, as well as the importance for all of us to be creative in the way we are each uniquely meant to be. I love that the creativity doesn’t end with the pot or with me. That those who obtain one or several of my planting pots continue to express and nurture their own creativity and passion for nature by pairing them with the perfect plant and creating their own living art.
