Teodora Blanco (deceased in 1980) was a renowned artist whose tradition is carried out today by her son, Luis, two daughters, Irma and Leticia and her brother Faustino and sister Bertha.  She became famous in her lifetime with the creation of natural clay, highly imaginative “human doll-like figures” or muñecas.  She pioneered a type of decoration called “pastillaje” which became her trademark.  The superimposing of smaller pieces of clay on the surface of the figure can be seen today in the work that is carried on.

The work is inspired by traditional beliefs, especially the idea of “nahuales.”  A “nahual” is conceived as an animal spirit that serves as an individual’s protector, originating at birth.

Teodora’s influence extends well beyond her contemporaries today and will continue to appear in the ceramics of the generations that follow.