Ancient Peruvian Moche Pottery

While on my quest for the perfect clay crab I found this interesting example.  It is an example of Moche Pottery.  A dominant force on Peru's northern coast, the ancient Moche culture created finely crafted pottery of compelling naturalism.  The Moche culture lived from about 100-800 AD.  These ancient Peruvians used primarily red and white clays/slips while they created spouted vessels of all types.  Their works focused on the passage of fluids as irrigation was the source of their wealth and the foundation of their empire.

Moché, Crab Effigy Vessel, 100–800 AD, ceramic,

gift of Frank Nelson Carroll, Jr., in memory of his grandfather, Francis Lafayette Carroll, II

Feelin' Crabby!

I have been surfing the web for inspiration on a new ceramics project.  Beings that I am from Baltimore, MD, I decided to research "crab" pottery.  I found some lovely examples and ideas from Carolina Creations Blog

Native American Symbols

Not long ago I was looking for a picture of the Native American symbol for kokopelli (the flute player).  I found a nice list of basic native symbology and used it as reference to paint meaning into my piece.  Using symbols in pottery is a great way for people to learn about Native American culture, as well as a fun way to add context and decor to a plain piece of pottery!

Playing with the Gouache .

A page from my art journal.

Art Contest :)

I entered some of my work in an art contest.  This is my first contest... exciting!! The site holds regular art contests that anyone can enter.  The link is below:

Artistic Circle's Website

What is Gouache?

I had heard about it, I had seen it before, but until last week I was unaware of my love for GOUACHE!

According to the art pro's at Dick Blicks,


Gouache is an opaque watercolor paint. Whereas transparent watercolors allow you to see the "white" of the paper below the paint, gouache can be applied in solid colors. This allows an artist to paint in layers from dark to light.


Gouache dries to a matte finish, which makes it easy to scan or reproduce electronically, since there is no glossy shine. Designer's Gouache traditionally offers colors blended from a number of pigments, but some lines of Artist's Gouache offer single-pigment colors. Student Gouache will have working characteristics similar to Designer's Gouache, but with lower pigment concentration, less expensive formulas, and a smaller range of colors.

Frying Pan Encaustic Printmaking by Me :)