Armenta Luis,
Ceramica del Rey
Puebla, Pue.
Mexico
Website: http://www.ceramicadelrey.com.mx
Email: luisarmenta@ceramicadelrey.com.mx
Artist Statement:
Working with Talavera ceramics since 1998 with a handmade process and hand painted designs. Working with FONART Mexico and IDART Puebla as a part of ceramic artist, also with Novica in USA. Participation in the national prize of ceramics in Jalisco.
Studio Description:
Small studio but with all equipment and materials necesary to develop my work.
What type of clay do you use?
Natural clay and white.
What temperature do you fire to?
Cone 05-06.
What is your primary forming method?
Wheeling and modeling.
What is your favorite surface treatment?
Hand painting over glaze.
Do you make any of your own tools?
All the tools I use are made by me.
What one word would you use to describe your work?
Creative.
What is your favorite thing about your studio?
My brushes for painting.
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without?
Clay.
What are your top three studio wishes?
Perfecting my painting techniques.
Improve my clay wheeling.
To get better in making my materials.
What’s on your current reading list?
Bible.
How do you save money on materials and supplies?
Making all my materials.
How do you recharge creatively?
When having vacations visiting artisan fairs in my country.
Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency?
Making or formulating my own ceramic paint, also making and balance my clay, filling the products at kiln by size in different levels, etc.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome?
Creativity for making new products and process for develop.
What did you first piece look like? Like a painting for a 5 years old child.
What ceramic superpower would you have and why?
Do not consider having any superpower in ceramic but I give my best in all I make and the most I like in the process is painting.
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why?
I am self-taught person.
What is your studio playlist?
Clay/modeling/ firing/glaze/painting/2d firing.
Why do you create art?
Because I like it over all activities I could do, I prefer to create something with my hands to enjoy with the process of creating and see the result.
What is your best studio tip?
Do not give up with any difficulty you could have in any part of the process, if somebody else could do, you are able to create the same or even bette.
If you could change one property of clay, what would it be?
Making more resistant for wheeling high.
