About The Artist

Clay is a vehicle for play, imagination and transformation of earth, water, fire--and joy. Every chunk, scrap, and crumb promises something beautiful. In these moments life is simple and full of possibilities. I started ceramic classes in night school as a teenager. Since then I have had the good fortune to train with many master potters and clay artists. My Filipino cultural heritage offers bright colors, warmth, and a melange of cultural influences. I want to share the joy I experience working in clay with you through Primitiva Pottery and Tile.

I started Primitiva Pottery with dinnerware, containers, and planters in the 1970s. Determining the means to create a pleasing, functional form

meant using many methods to interact with the clay: throwing, rolling, stretching, piercing, pinching, pounding, coaxing, carving, embossing, piecing, laminating, extruding, molding, slumping, paddling, and pouring. Over the years, the carved and textured surfaces became more central to my work. Carving allowed me to spend more time with each particle of clay, which brought me joy. The carved exterior of bowls, plates, and mugs feature fern fronds, elephant ears, and banana leaves that immortalize the garden. The vivid interiors suggest tropical flowers. It was natural that these surfaces immigrated to the walls and Primitiva Tile took on life 20 years later.

Primitiva Tile boldly juxtaposes Northwest hardiness with tropical warmth. Thus lilies of the valleys, trillium, and clematis coexist with plumeria, calla lilies, ferns, gingko and banana leaves. With these elements, Primitiva Tile transforms indoor spaces--showers, bathrooms, saunas, and kitchens--into unique and stunning refuges. The tiles invite you to touch them.

For over 35 years, my dinnerware, garden art, and tile make ordinary moments and rituals of everyday life special: eating a bowl of soup, drinking a cup of coffee, planting for spring, providing food and water to birds, and bathing. I hope my creations invite you to pause and appreciate an ordinary moment of living.

Maria P. P. Root was born in Manila, Philippines, grew up in Los Angeles, and now lives in Seattle. The beauty of plants and the blending of tropical and northwest climates inspire her work. Many of her designs transplant themselves from her garden to her studio often with some creative license. Bud and Mac, her manx cats, oversee her studio work.

Ms. Root served as one of the first directors of the pottery cooperative at the University of California, Riverside and its first woman director. Her work is represented in galleries in Washington, Minnesota, and Hawai’i. Trained as a Reiki master, each piece is released with everlasting love.

Ms. Root is a member of the Washington Clay Artist's Association and a charter member of Artisan Tile Northwest.