About the Artists
Mara
 Mara, an accomplished painter, sculptor and ceramicist, studied engraving with the famous artist Alfredo Zalce, who painted many portraits of his lovely artist protégé. After studying art in London, she began working with high-temperature ceramics and created wonderfully unique glazes for her pieces. She then went on to study with the Italian ceramist, Bruno Terese, in Italy. Mara has had numerous expositions of her original pieces in Europe, the United States and Mexico.
"She has developed a fine sensibility in schematic and precise line drawings. Ceramics is no easy medium for precise line drawings, yet Mara has mastered her technique with brush and stylus and has been able to portray her life experiences with unrivaled naturalness. We see her universe on parade in all of her pieces, whether they be vases or plaques. Flowers, birds and geometric designs all represent her personal vision and display her unique perceptions of the world." Alfredo Zalce, May 1994
Sadly, after a long illness, Mara passed away in November 2007. Since Ceramica Mara has always been an extended family operation, production of her fine works has continued. Mara's husband, children and loyal apprentices have consistently carried out day to day production. Her husband Mariano, an architect, artist and Ceramica Mara business manager, is passionate about continuing Mara's legacy. Her daughter Alexandra, artist and history professor, has also stepped in to help the family make a seamless transition in the continuation of the fine production of Ceramica Mara.
Mara was a very prolific artist and, while her current designs are still in production, she has left numerous yet un-introduced designs to be presented in the future. Alexandra, carrying on her mother's fine tradition, has also been creating ceramic designs which we were honored in debut 2008 and continue offering today. Mara brought all the beauty of her soul to walk this earth. We at Blaze are ever grateful for her creative gifts and send our prayers that her journey continues in beauty and love. We take great pleasure in knowing that Mara's artistic stoneware will grace all our lives for many, many years to come.
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Padilla
Rodolfo Padilla grew up living his art at his father's ceramic studio. In 1981 he won a scholarship to study ceramic design and materials in Japan and then went on to continue his studies in Argentina and Italy. Rodo Padilla has presented his work at a number of expositions in Japan, Europe, South America, Mexico and the United States. He is an accomplished ceramicist and sculptor.
 Currently Padilla divides his daily work time to several studios where he sculpts, creates new designs and oversees the production of the unique tableware pieces seen at this site.
Prado Ceramics
Prado Ceramics is a unique stoneware success story of the synergistic blending of stoneware designs from Rodo Padilla and Juan Prado. Prado, renown restaurateur of the very popular La Terraza de la Abuela, explored stoneware production possibilities for his restaurants with Rodo Padilla. While Padilla sought more time for creating fine art sculptures in his studios, Juan Prado expanded his expertise in high temperature fired ceramics and eventually took over the stoneware production.
The happy result of their relationship is the continuation of the ever popular Mug Tree and Accessories line by Padilla and the fabulous square tableware designs and bold new glazes from Prado that can be seen at Blaze Intl.
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