ROCK & PADDLE TECHNIQUE – Polo Ramirez Art

Dating back to Pre-Inca times, the Rock and Paddle technique entails a seven day process of the molding and sculpting of clay using one’s bare hands and feet, ovoid-shaped rocks, and wooden paddles. Polo honors the earth and his ancestors by being one of the few master craftsmen in the world still practicing this ancient technique.

Slide 1

DAY 1: THE BEGINNING

I use my fist to make a cone. The thick cone must sit overnight.

Slide 2

DAY 2: PADDLING & SMOOTHING

Using my feet to hold the pot, I thin the walls on the bottom half using a wooden paddle and a stone. The stone is inside as I paddle the outside.

Slide 3

DAY 3: PADDLING & BUILDING UP

Using the rock and paddle technique, I continue to thin the clay on the upper half of the pot to raise the sides. Once the sides are of uniform thickness, I make a collar, and then add a coil to the opening to shape it. Once the form is complete, the piece must sit overnight.

polo ramirez day 4 technique

DAY 4: SCRAPING & TEXTURE

I smooth the surface to determine the design and the texture of the piece. A mini-saw blade is used to create texture.

polo ramirez day 5 tecnique

DAY 5: PAINTING & DECORATING

Using hand-made engobes sourced from colorful minerals found naturally in the earth, I begin to paint the piece, typically applying 1-3 coats of paint. Once complete, the piece is completely covered with a cloth and left to dry.

polo ramirez day 6 technique

DAY 6: BURNISHING

I burnish the piece with a small, smooth stone, adding a splash of oil to polish the surface. I repeat the process three times, rubbing the surface repeatedly to achieve a glossy finish. At this point, the piece must dry for a minimum of two weeks.

polo ramirez day 7 technique

DAY 7: FIRING

Once completely dry, the piece is bisque-fired. The kiln can be rustic, made of adobe and fired with wood- or modern, using electricity or gas. When cooled, the piece is smoked using a metallic cylinder heated with burning dry leaves. Dried mango leaves are preferred.