TLALOC

I should start by saying, please don't ask me exactly how I got here but let it suffice to say the imagery is very loosely based on the ancient Aztec rain god, Tlaloc. At some point early on in my pottery career, I had made a number of designs that represented Aztec gods from visits to the CMA, BMFA and the Met, this particular design of Tlaloc was meant to represent the deity nourishing the earth with the figure in the midst of a stylized storm. This large teapot was handbuilt and then the incised design was adapted to the form and then inlaid in a white engobe which was then lightly dusted over the surface and then fired to temperature. Despite appearance, the piece functions as an occasional teapot and the flattish spout pours fairly well. This ishime-ji, stone texture piece is loosely based on ancient stele and I tried to create designs that fit the form and technique to appear like old carved or incised stone. I continue to use this technique now and again when the mood strikes and a particular design dictates a specific method of execution.

"All the gods, all the heavens, all the hells, are within you." Joseph Campbell