Mata Ortiz Pottery is Art

So now I have become an art trader.

 

A couple days ago a gentleman arrived in the gallery who sells pottery to art galleries throughout the southwest U.S.. The other artist and myself purchased approximately 20 pieces to resell. Since I know nothing about pottery I was relying on his advice and direction.

 

On initial examination you might think that these pots are replicas or reproductions of ancient pots used by early natives to this country but that would be wrong. What I have found out since then is that these pots are all made by hand in Mexico by a small select group of artists in the town of Mata Ortiz, hence the pots are known simple as "Mata Ortiz". It all started with a curious boy, Juan Quezada who without any outside help collected old pottery sherd's (broken pieces) and taught himself the ancient art of pottery. Here's where is gets interesting; each piece is considered an individual piece or art, no pottery wheel is used in it's formation, no stencils or airbrushes are used to paint the pots, every touch to the pot is completely done by hand, even the firing is done over cow dung (no thermostat controlled oven). 

The pottery was given the "official art" status in the mid-1970's by Spencer MacCallum who recognized the significance of the talent involved with this work.

 

 

 



First Day at the Overlook Gallery

First Day at the Gallery

Today I'm officially moved into the Overlook Gallery in Moab, Utah.
How does one deal with this kind of change? If it was just a matter of changing jobs, or changing housing locations, that's one thing. but changing life all together is hard on the temperament of an individual. Remember that movie, "Never Cry Wolf" about the researcher tracking wolves in northern Canada? Today I felt like him, dropped off in the middle of nowhere (no offense to you Moabites), it's really cold (+1 degree this morning) and I'm looking at my supplies scattered around the gallery floor wondering what to do?......yes indeed, what to do?
I start with the most important things first; get the radio cracked up and make some good strong coffee. Ok, that's going. Now develop a schedule.

1. Breakfast and art studies
2. Drawing and or painting
3. Marketing strategies
4. Lunch
5. More drawing and or painting
6. Close shop and find something to entertain myself with.

Breakfast is hard boiled eggs and cheese, with coffee and a new book on composition for 2 dimensional art. I'm sitting in my favorite chair, in the sun, watching as the shadows play against the red rock cliffs, sipping coffee and learning something new...pretty good start. Afterwards I work at framing 3 plein air pieces for a local restaurant owner who has volunteered to hang my work.......new opportunities are arriving, yeeaah!!!
At eleven o'clock I'm visited my another shop owner who also happens to be an artist. He chats me up then invites me to lunch at the deli across the street. This place makes a different soup each day and it's really good.
Later in the afternoon I inventory my frames and start thinking about marketing ideas for the future. I've been thinking for a few months about what I expect out of myself and what I want to gain financially from being here. Somewhere in the next 6 months these 2 ideas must cross paths and work together to achieve my goals.....it's all up to me at this point....stay tuned.
 

Canyon Light in Moab, Utah

Canyon Light
Painting No. 1-L-12
36" x 36"
oil on canvas

This is my latest painting of the rock formations around Moab, Utah. It's based on plein air field studies and a few photos of the area. This is also my first studio painting from the new adventure of leaving my old life and starting a new one here in Utah.

Here's a view of a portion of the studio-gallery space I will be in beginning in 2 weeks. It was a hassle moving everything I own across 2 states in the middle of winter but I made it and nothing was damaged in the move.


Winter Light

Winter Light
Painting No. 2-K-12
12"x12" oil on canvas

I spent Thanksgiving in Moab, Utah.
It's an interesting town with a population of about 5,000 people. Small and remote but full of life; it's surrounded by 2 National Parks, 1 State Park and a massive County Park. Combine that with nearly one million visitors per year and you have a very interesting mix of culture and activity.

For those of you who haven't heard, I'm moving to Moab in mid-January. I've made arrangements to work and paint with the artist Tim Morse at the Overlook Gallery on Center Street in the downtown district. This will be a great opportunity to paint full-time, share the responsibilities for the galleries success and be in a new and fresh environment. I would also like to thank the award winning pastel artist Sarah Hamingson for pointing out some really great places to paint that the tourists aren't aware of.
2013 is going to be a great year of growing, learning and experiencing new and fresh ideas.