Being an Artisan Means: Luis Cortez and Irma Orozco
Master artisan José Luis Cortez Hernández, with more than 30 years of experience in Burnished Clay (Barro Bruñido), is a leading figure in folk art in Tonalá, Jalisco. His training began at the age of 13, when he started as an apprentice and discovered the world of pottery—an experience that shaped a career dedicated to imprinting his personal touch on each of his creations.
For Luis, being an artisan represents a collection of emotions and life experiences. Seeing people from Mexico and abroad admire his work is deeply fulfilling and a source of great pride, knowing that he is devoted to what he truly loves.
Being an artisan is a source of pride for us—representing our municipality and our country whenever we have the opportunity to showcase our work at exhibitions and see it admired by many people.
— Luis Cortez, 2026
Today, Luis runs a family workshop alongside his wife, Irma Orozco, with whom he collaborates at every stage of the creative process. In their working dynamic, Luis is responsible for shaping the pieces, giving them the proper finish, and decorating them. The pieces then pass into Irma’s hands, who uses a pyrite stone to burnish them and give them their distinctive shine.
We truly enjoy working in artisanry as a family, because we share with others the love we have for what we do, which is the Burnished Clay technique.
— Irma Orozco, 2025
Their collaborative work is distinguished by precision in decoration and constant innovation in their pieces. They have traveled throughout different states in Mexico, participating in fairs and exhibitions, meeting people from diverse backgrounds, and sharing their passion for the artisan craft and their love for clay.
Together, they are committed to preserving the Burnished Clay tradition, seeking to ensure that new generations come to know and value this artisan technique. For them, sharing knowledge is essential to keeping the cultural legacy of their region, Tonalá, alive.
Being a Guardian of Culture represents for Luis Cortez the opportunity to create from what he loves most. What he values above all is seeing people fall in love not only with his pieces, but also with the craft behind them.
Being a Guardian of Culture is a responsibility: to share our techniques and traditions, as well as the daily life we live as artisans, so that artisanry may remain alive.
— Luis Cortez, 2026
At Fundación Causa Azul A.C., we reaffirm our commitment through sociocultural projects aimed at strengthening artisans and artisan communities. Through these actions, we seek to promote and give visibility to artisan work, such as that of master artisan Luis Cortez and his wife Irma Orozco, whose legacy continues to transcend generations.
We invite you to discover more about the work of master artisan Luis Cortez: barrocortez.com
