Maria Luna Pottery

About Maria Luna Pottery

The name “Maria Luna” tells the story of my journey as a woman and an artist. Born on the Feast Day of La Virgin de Guadalupe, I was named “Maria Teresa” by my Puerto Rican father. But my family called me “Terry” until I was eight. Only when I found out my full name did I begin to realize the depth of my connection to my Latino heritage.

As for “Luna,” the inspiration for my ceramic art has always come from the Moon Herself. I see the Moon as a vessel for all of life’s passion, pleasure, and creativity. My career as a ceramic artist has reflected the phases of the moon, with periods of waxing and waning.

As a young mother, I discovered pottery when I brought my four-year-old son Aaron to a Pots for Tots class offered by my local Parks and Rec. Aaron showed little interest in pottery; for me, it was love at first sight. I had the chance to study under several extraordinary artists and teachers, including…and Janet Burner. Before long, I was exhibiting my work in local galleries.

Pottery gave me an outlet to express artistic gifts that I didn’t even know I had. It also allowed me to escape the stressors of a hectic life raising four boys and working full-time as a nurse and hospital administrator. Yoga was my other outlet and escape. Over time, it evolved into a second career as I became one of the first and most sought-after yoga therapists in the country. At a time when I faced serious financial pressures, I made the hard decision to dedicate myself to yoga and let ceramics go.

With pain in my heart, I closed my ceramics studio and got rid of almost all my equipment, including wheels and kilns. For 18 years, my hands never touched a piece of clay. I tried not to look back because it hurt me to be reminded of what I had sacrificed and left behind.

Then in 2017, I met Victor, the love of my life whom I married two years later. Victor’s life work is about creativity, play, and following one’s passion. With his encouragement and support, I decided to turn a funky old shed into a ceramic studio. The COVID pandemic forced me to slow down my grueling travel and work schedule. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise, giving me the time and space to rediscover and reconnect with my love for pottery.

Like the view out my window, what I see when I look at my life as an artist is two distinct and equally breathtaking peaks. The first time around, my pottery reflected my fascination with the beauty of my Arizona home, including the desert plants and animals that surround me as well as the inspiring art of the local indigenous people. In my current renaissance, I am honoring and integrating all of the powerful influences in my life, including my Latino and Greek ancestry, the mandalas and transcendent iconography that have helped shape my yoga practice, the natural elements, feminine wisdom, and my vivid dream life.

My creative process is intuitive and spontaneous. I never know where it will take me, but I trust that it will always be a thrilling and transformative adventure. Maria Luna Pottery is my invitation to you: I welcome you to join me on this earthy, juicy, intuitive, and joyous creative journey.


Available Collections

Email info@mariaalive.com to place an order.

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