Paula Gomes founded in 1993 "the blue desire" a ceramics workshop and seven years later Duarte Gomes, her brother, also embraced this activity, in Paul do Mar. Both potters produce Moorish-style tiles on edge technique and drought rope, as well as panels with a more traditional or modern motifs.
How does the project blue desire appears?
Duarte Gomes: I participate on this project for about eleven years. The blue desire started with my sister, she had some training in this area, when she lived on the mainland and I came back to the island when she invited me to work with her. The tiles are made in Madeira, aldo is not a traditional art in the region.
How you came up with the motives and patterns of the tiles?
DG: This kind of tiles is not limited to the subject island. Dates back to the sixteenth century a technique called edge that is used in the so-called Hispano-Arab, which is the engraving on the edges of the clay so that when it glazes melts in the furnace and there no mixing of the colors, hence the name. So, we make replicas of these ceramic pieces. My sister then took this technique and also used it for other subjects, such as Madeira embroidery. In addition, we paint tiles.
All tiles are produced on the island?
DG: Yes, almost all are made from clay, which is why I say we have several techniques that we used in our tiles. We own ovens and equipment necessary to develop all these products.
Of all the tiles that produce which reap greater public preference?
DG: It's hard to say. There is not a preference that allows me to say that there is a most sought tile. Incidentally the blue desire has two aspects, one that involves the production in large numbers for sale, to purchase as a kind of gift, is something that has given some income, but nowadays it is very difficult to have any profit. Then we have another aspect that is tiles that are painted on panels that are ordered and these really are the engine of our project. Living from craft arts is now even more difficult.
What types of panels are produced in Paúl do Mar?
DG: Of various kinds, from landscapes to scenes of the everyday life, in the more traditional cobalt blue and white. But we also do it in all colors according to the preferences of the client.
You receive orders only in the island?
DG: No, we have sent pieces to many countries.
