Pablo Paredes Goche is a ceramic artist from Tlaquepaque, Mexico. He comes from a family of artisans famous for their traditional figures depicting Mexican celebrations and village life. The region where he lives, in the state of Jalisco, is known for a variety of traditional ceramics that are produced using the techniques passed down from generations within craft families.

Pablo has traveled to the US where he demonstrates the techniques used to create the ancient art of the Olmec and Aztec civilizations. Their lecture and demonstration follows the progress of ceramic sculpture from ancient times to present day folk art traditions that feature their famous figurines.

Pablo's father, Ildefonso, was famous for his charros (Mexican cowboys). His history is brought to life in ElAntiQuario Magazine's article "Ildefonso Goche's Charros."

Pablo has garnered his own fame from his incredible clay nativity scenes, or nacimientos as they are known in Spanish. The figures are portrayed as dark skinned villagers adopting the native dress of the region. The wise men and shepherds are all campesinos, or farmers. Viejitos, or old people, are displayed with these scenes as well, in order to pay homage to ones ancestry and heritage.

The clay figures are made entirely by hand. The clay material must first be prepared and kneaded to the right consistency and plasticity. The figures are sculpted by joining different pieces to form the character. The finished sculpture is dried in the sun and then fired in a kiln to a temperature of 1500o F. Finally acrylic paints are mixed to reveal tones and colors and are applied with home-made brushes made from cat, dog or squirrel hair.

This tradition is maintained to this day. The techniques are inherited from family members and the characters represented are passed down from past generations. In Tlaquepaque the ceramic sculptors that make these realistic figures are known as moneros. A mono is a Spanish expression used in Mexico to describe a figure representing a person or animal.

This will be Pablo's first year at Feria Maestros del Arte. We're certain many of his nacimientos (nativity scenes) will be heading for north of the border with collectors.

If you are interested in purchasing any of Goche's work, contact Marianne Carlson at 011522 376 765 7485 or email mariannecarlson@gmail.com