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Marvin Blackmore

Etched Pottery

Blackmore’s humble beginnings as the sixth child in a family of fourteen helped to shape his exceptional talent and drive. Marvin had to learn to amuse himself because his parents did not have the time to dote over him. It soon became clear that he was bestowed with tremendous artistic talent. Growing up in Cortez, Colorado, a hub of Southwestern arts and crafts, he was surrounded by a diverse variety of pottery makers. Marvin drew from each of these different styles as he began to dabble in pottery making. By 1989, pottery was Marvin’s medium of choice and also his only form of income. He was initially drawn to the carved style of pottery with the matte finishes famously known in the Southwest as “Black-on-Black” pottery.

In his early twenties, Blackmore truly lived as a “starving artist.” He and his family lived in low-income housing costing just $18 per month for rent. Marvin ventured out and attended his first art show in Page, Arizona in 1990. He recalls having $17 to his name as he left Page and at that show he sold $1,800 worth of his work and won “First Place in Category.” He immediately attended another show in Fountain Hills, Arizona where his sales were $3,000 and he was also awarded “Best of Category.” Inspired and rewarded, Marvin’s career as a notable artist was just taking off.

Like many of his contemporaries and even dating back to DaVinci and Michaelangelo, Marvin, took on assistants to help him in his studio. Originally hired as apprentices, Leo Blackhorse, Doris John and Rodney John have been with Marvin for over a dozen years and are all truly great artists in their own right. They contribute not only a natural expertise in the craft but add a treasure of knowledge of traditional design.

Initially, successful with the traditional Black-on-Black style, Marvin’s pursuit of his own style slowly began to evolve. He developed a two-tone technique by adding a layer of colored clay slip and then carving exceptional detailed designs through the slip to the base color of the pot. This involved multiple firings and yet even more labor was necessary with each pot. This etched, two-tone technique combined with Marvin’s eye for design rocked the pottery market. As Marvin’s techniques evolved, more layers of color were added and the designs became more intricate. The two-tone carvings of the mid 1990’s are now multilayered, intricate hand-etchings performed with a needle. The constantly evolving designs, while primarily influenced by Southwestern designs, now incorporate influences from the ancient Middle East. The layering and etching have become so sophisticated other top artists find it difficult to understand how anyone can do it. Marvin Blackmore’s market has evolved from attending Southwestern craft shows to being invited to the nation’s top fine art shows. Evolved from craft, Blackmore’s pottery now graces the collections of serious art collectors around the world.

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