Eli Navarrete

Mata Ortiz

Eli Navarrete Ortiz is a second generation potter from Mata Ortiz. He learned from his uncle Macario Ortiz. Macario had earlier experimented with multiple colors on graphite blackware but no one was happy with their results. Eli pushed the technique to new levels, both technically and artistically. In 1997 Eli, Jesus and Cesar (Eli's two brothers) began painting multiple colors over graphite blackware. They kept their process secret for a few years and it earned them much success.