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Rodolfo Padilla

"'Cerámica Padilla' was founded in August 1951 by my father, Don Francisco Padilla, the president of the business. He started by installing a kiln and the necessary equipment in the garden of the house he used to live in with my mother, Aurora, and my bothers and sisters, Juan, Paco, Aurora and Maria del Carmen.

"There were only four people employed then, and it wasn't until December of that year when he first fired the ceramic figures. After paying debts and loans, we had the opportunity to specialize in various places around the world. In my case, I was able to go to Japan, Italy, and other countries on the American continent.

"1982 was especially significant for our family. We decided to switch production to high temperature ceramics, thus allowing us to export our products.

"The process starts by making a special paste out of kaolin (a very fine white clay) and other types of clay, which is then poured into a mold. We let the paste rest for a period of time (depending on the thickness) until it more or less sets. We then shape the piece and give it a special finish. We allow a couple of days for the piece to dry and then we file the rough edges off before firing it at high temperatures. Finally, we decorate the piece or apply glaze, creating the appearance of it dripping before firing it again for a shorter period of time.

"A few years ago, after mastering the technique of high-fired ceramics, I began to represent some of the local characters, but with a Mexican touch. I wanted to pay tribute to my beloved hometown. And so I began by sculpting the baker, couples, and so forth, and these have been very successful. The process is a bit more laborious so as to be able to capture each one's features.

"This series springs from a desire to look a little more deeply at my people, my roots, as these people, with their work, effort and activities, bring a magical touch to our plazas, our towns and our country. They enrich my days, they inspire decision, strength, energy, movement, nobility and a profound inner beauty."