Sensory overload. That's the only way I can describe today.
It happens to me often, but I think today was one of the most amazing days I've ever had.
8 of us went to finalize the payment and delivery of a Lilly Loo. This is actually a view of the loo and the hand basin sitting in the loo.
No, it's not mine… but friend Pauline has bought it for her new house. I bought huge platters and as I mentioned the other day… my dinner set. We chose the colors and did the design and it will arrive in a few months…Pauline and I bought the same so if we have a party we can share….
We visited potteries today and watched the entire process of a tile being made from clay to finished product. It is incredibly labor intensive and it was fascinating watching the artisans at work.
The brushes are made from Squirrel fur… don't ask me how they get it from the squirrel. I bought a few to try.
In the making of Talavera, two types of clay are blended and left to soak in water to improve their quality and malleability.
The potter then works the clay by walking on it with his feet to remove all air bubbles and to give the clay a better uniformity and consistency. We saw them using a machine for this step.
He then produces different pieces on a potter’s wheel or in molds, and lets them air dry for eight to twelve weeks.
The pieces are then baked in an oven at 850C, which turns the grayish colored clay into the well-known brick colored pottery known as “jahuete”. Then, one by one the pieces are dipped into an earthenware glaze, which ultimately gives them their characteristic brilliance and color.
Each piece is then hand decorated using colors prepared from mineral pigments.
Afterward, the pieces are once again fired in the oven for many hours, this time at 1050C, resulting in a beautiful work of art. 
NOW we can look at Texture….!!!!!
NOW we can look at color combinations.. Red, blue, orange , yellow and green and this was just our lunch.
Red, blue, orange, yellow and green
A Mexican Tile block I made a few years ago…. red, blue, orange, yellow and green.
My Mexican Tile Quilt.
Its been an amazing day…. I haven't even mentioned our lunch adventures…. that will have to wait for another day.
Oh my gosh, Pam…that is definitely sensory overload. What beautiful colors. It must have been amazing to watch them paint the pieces.
I haves always loved Mexican pottery, their use of color is wonderful and “happy”!
What a great trip with wonderful colors! I can imagine you are overloading!
Thanks for sharing.
All I can imagine with the colors that you’ve used for your tiles is a Mexican summer. Gosh I really loved how you’ve mixed and matched the different colors. From bright to dark, and dark to bright. And it’s really amazing how you’ve made those different designs for your ceramics.