José Pajarito, son of the late Nicasio Pajarito Gonzalez, is an artist from Tonala in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Nicasio was a nationally celebrated artisan throughout his life, known as one of the “Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano”.

Nicasio’s workshop is still operated today by his family. His son, José, focuses on flora and fauna motifs painted on pottery and plates made of “barro” or clay. He works in the regional styles of bruñido and canelo, and considers these mix of clays to be reflective of Mexico’s mestizo heritage.

For Heirlome, José recreated his traditional motifs using acrylic on draped dress silhouette made out of painter’s canvas. His work was digitized to be reproduced in fine silk for Heirlome.