Ceramic Pineapples---A Feminine Side, Michoacan

As the new cement driveway was being poured then cured, no one at the Alejos household would be leaving---at least by car---until next Tuesday. What better opportunity to create a concurso pineapple or two? So Audelia began work on a pineapple creation of her own design, and by day three, the ornate pineapple-candelabra she had envisioned was nearing completion.

As wife of ceramic pineapple great master Hilario Alejos Madrigal, it was not that long ago when Audelia demurred that, "...one grande maestro was enough in this family". But all that has changed. Today, Audelia Cerrano Alvarez is an established, prize-winning ceramic pineapple maestra in her own right.

The highlight of her creation is the application of meticulously uniform beading---pico fino---embellishing the pineapple's entire body. The pico fino takes hours to apply, but Audelia's patience and experience are evident as each precise bead is added. Six hours later, the last bead is as exact as the first. To the beaded body, graceful curved candle holders are next added. The curves are decidedly feminine and completely different from her husband's more-linear adornments.

Taking a break, Audelia announces that she would prepare a special treat today...tortillas de harina hecho a mano, handmade flour tortillas . I had to grin at the "hecho a mano" pronouncement as this was the ONLY kind of tortilla ever eaten in this household.

As the dough balls rose, we admired how perfectly shaped each was in size and form.

It seems that the best tortillas are made by women who are also experts in clay. Or is it the other way around?

Parting thought...in the world of Mexican folk art, women figure prominently.

PHOTOS BY DEB HALL.