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| Erik's wife paints |
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| Tiny miniature clay figures for the "Sorpresas (surprises |
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| Talented Lucia paints miniatures |
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| Lucia & friend paint beautiful miniature clay figures |
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| Ilobasco vista |
Yesterday, I had a wonderful adventure by local bus to the town of Ilobasco which is famous for clay artisans who still make traditional pots and tiny clay miniatures called "sorpresas" (surprises). Ilobasco is a mountain village where the Lenca Indigenous people lived until the Pipil tribes moved in at the end of the 15th c. , and absorbed their culture. The Pipils called the town "Hilotaxca"(means place of elote(soft corn) tortillas. Ilobasco remained mostly indigenous until well into the 18th c.
Today, Ilobasco clay artisans have held on to their distinct Salvadoran style of beautiful colorful painted pots, vases, plates, and miniature surprises(for example, women selling flowers, or any scene of daily life here) inside a painted clay egg or tiny fruit. I visited several artisan studios, and also a larger art cooperative called "Moje" which helps teens at risk especially those who have tried to stay out of gang activities.
Pedro making clay plates to paint
Erik
l would especially like to thank Erik and his family for inviting me into their casa (home) and clay studio. He and his family work very hard each day, and still have time to share their time and hospitality with me. Their life together is truly "art" and beauty combined. I had fun with their son who is in the photo of the simple pottery kiln(oven) where they fire the clay pieces. All their fine clay comes from the surrounding hills. I saw so many beautiful people, and scenes to paint, and this is just the beginning of my journey.
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