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.

Perfect Stoneware by Frank Howell

Frank Howell, renowned American Artist, was a child prodigy who began creating commissioned portrait sculptures at the tender age of sixteen. He received his Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Oregon and went on to teach ceramics in L.A. Public Schools where, within 2 years, he became the Department Chair at age 29.

Frank left teaching to open Mud in Your Eye Pottery which offered an in house studio for pottery classes and storefront space for over 100 potters and apprentices who displayed and sold functional pottery through Howell's outlets. Frank co-authored "The Craft of Pottery" (Harper & Row 1973) which incorporated his teaching techniques and offered ceramicists a problem solving approach.

"By the late'70's we had grown to 3 outlets and were the largest retailer of handcrafted American pottery in the country. During this time we developed uniquely functional items with the signature Mud-in-Your-Eye look, unusual items from wine goblets to juicers, fondue pots to massage oil warmers. If it could be made from stoneware, we created it!"

After many successful decades as artist and teacher, Howell has semi-retired to Mexico where he continues to teach pottery classes, experiment with new designs and produce his fine stoneware through Prado Ceramics. The wonderful designs you see at Blaze Intl are the result of Frank's years of experience and retail successes in creating the most user-friendly and beautiful functional pottery available in the U.S.