Right now at this very moment all across the Southwest people are spotting bright hand-painted pottery and yelling ‘Stop the car!” These places really don’t need signage. I know when I’m driving and see vibrant orange-faced suns with wispy psychedelic rays, I’m stopping and shopping.
This place is located in Santa Fe. Camino Real Imports. Family owned, authentic, huge inventory.
When Mr.D and I build our sustainable half earth-sheltered adobe with xeriscaped yard and indoor suspended garden, I’ve already chosen …..
….. this sink for our earthship inspired guest bathroom.
These vivid glossy designs are Talavera. With so many patterns and colors and decor and yard art to choose from, it’s fascinating to walk around and see what other people are attracted to. I took this photo because the calla lilies remind me of my wedding bouquet and also this painting. A woman next to me was asking a salesman about the blue planter because she has a peacock themed patio.
Sun moon eclipse.
Gorgeous longhorn steer. I’m fairly sure that sun is channeling Peter Lorre.
The work that goes into these ….. I was thinking that it would probably take me two full days to paint one of these boots. So I looked around for video about talavera painters ……… the process, labor and artistry….
This one shows the multi-piece molds, how they load the kiln, glazing, second kiln firing, and an artist who free-hand paints the basic design (not the full color scheme) of an entire vase in only a few minutes.
This one is 2.27 minutes long …. the time it took an artist to free-hand the design for a lizard, like the top center orange fella here.
And then another artist paints in the color.
Oftentimes Talavera shops sell cow skulls …..
…… and hand-made kiva ladders (pueblo ladders) that are an iconic symbol in Southwest design.
Along with statues, and re-purposed brightly painted furniture.
Camino Real also has indoor showrooms with rugs, lighting, more home decor, dish ware and metal work art. And they do custom work. When you stop the car, plan to spend at least an hour there!
Camino Real Imports
1006 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Phone 505 995 0529
4 comments
Hello,
I’m back in ABQ next week and have been looking for talavera longhorn skull. I see one in your gallery. Is this available and do you offer shipping?
Hi Mignon, the Talavera company in Santa Fe is Camino Real Imports at 1006 Cerillos Road. Phone: 505 995 0529. We love this place. Happy shopping!
I’m looking for a Talavera mushroom and ball. Your site shows beautiful Talavera.
Pamela, thanks so much! Camino Real of Santa Fe is one of the larger imported Talavera venues we know of. Such vivid color for a gardenscape.