Ortiz, Seferina – Clay Figure Boy in Cap (1980s)

Seferina Ortiz was the matriarch of a family of renowned potters, including Virgil Ortiz, Janice Ortiz, Inez Ortiz, and Lisa Holt. This is one of her classic clay figures.  The boy is wearing a cap and holding a Pepsi.  His other arm is raised, which we often see in Seferina’s figurative work.  The shirt is painted with a geometric design.  The figure is slipped with white clay and then painted with a red clay slip and wild spinach (black).  The piece is signed on the bottom, “Seferina Ortiz”.  It was traditionally fired and in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  Definitely a classic figure by this historically important potter!