Marvin Blackmore

Marvin Blackmore is known for covering the surface of his vessels with multiple layers of colored slips. He then etches and carves into the surface and interior of the vessels exposing selected layers of different colored slips, a process also known as sgraffito (the application of contrasting color slip to an unglazed clay vessel and scratching or incising through layers to create pattern or design). Blackmore creates an allover repeated sequence of intricate geometric patterns with motifs drawn from the natural world and traditional Native American imagery.Marvin

Blackmore's mission is "To create the most complex intricate pottery the world has ever seen."

Blackmore grew up in Cortez, Colorado, where he first saw the carved earthenware Pueblo pottery typical of that area. He also saw the work of Maria Martinez and her family at San Ildefonso. His first carved pieces were black on black.

His first teacher was Navajo potter Manuel Morgan who taught Blackmore the basics of handling and firing clay and, in exchange, Blackmore sold Morgan?s pottery on commission to trading posts across the Southwest.

His pieces all begin with thrown classic forms. Blackmore is assisted in design, etching and throwing by Doris and Rodney John and Blackmore?s eldest son, Valentino. Blackmore or Valentino are responsible for mixing all the glazes, firing and applying gold to selected pots.