Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
– Pablo Picasso
Malpaso Atelier grew out of my desire to give material form to the beautiful, fun, and colorful creatures inside my head. Each of my pieces has a story to tell; some are fictional, some are factual, but all share a little bit of my essence.
My ceramics are crafted with love by Colombian hands in a small pottery studio in New York City’s iconic Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. Combining the colors and forms of the tropics with New York’s exhilarating, shape-shifting character, every Malpaso Atelier piece is surprisingly vibrant, evocative, yet friendly—and will definitely make you smile.
So drop a note, take a peek, and talk to the characters I’ve created. They’re here to listen. They’re here for you.
Emilie Cygne
The chicest of The Malpasos. Or so she thinks. Emilie owns a hat store in Le Marias in Paris. Her grandma was BFF with Coco Chanel.
Ernestina la Soñadora
Ernestina hopelessly dreams of a better world. Her Guardian, Angel Rigoberto, never ceases to protect her.
Pipoca Pipulais
Pipoca Pipulais, de los Pipulais de Macondo, de los de toda la vida, de los que cosechaban café y tomaban aguardiente desde las diez de la mañana.
Lady Bunny
The most scandalous of the Malpaso Family. This beautiful drag queen stole Nacho's heart with her pompous wig, deep blue eyes, and outrageous personality.
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Escolástica de las Mercedes
The most urbanite of the Malpaso family. Escolástica has a Masters in Theater and Arts from the Universidad de Macondo. She has been selected as the main character for "City of Dreams" starting Nimi Spaghetti & Vote for Pedro.
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Le Twins II
Luna and Estrella future leaders, game changers, innovators, and love warriors.
Queen Elizabeta II
All hail the queen! Meet your majesty Queen Elizabeta II of Hell’s Kitchen, the more majestic addition to the Malpaso Family.
Star Monterrey
Star lives in Macondo, Colombia where she teaches English to the Buendía family. Along with La Doña, Star owns a five star boutique hotel in Paris. #myfantasy
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La Doña
She is the youngest heiress of Mr. Aureliano Buendía and has as impressive art collection in her Macondo estate. Lately she has been seen in bars and public events with an unidentified man.
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Maria Soledad del Perpetuo Socorro
This naughty lady is the new member to the Malpaso family. She grew up in a convent in Old San Juan, PR where she managed to escape regularly to drink beer and kiss sailors.
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Marta Cecilia Ponce de León
This lovely lady just came back from Cali, Colombia after getting her lips plumped, a boob job, and a tummy tuck. #shameless
Doña Magola
Esta es Doña Magola. Vive en Cartagena y es dueña de un stand de flores en la galería. Se hace las cejas donde Doña Jenny y sufre de narcolepsia. Doña Magola no speak English.
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Doña Jenny
Chicer than the chicest woman you know, Doña Jenny splits her time among Miami, Turks and Caicos, and Cartagena. She owns a fashion boutique and loves to drink rum.
Clementine
A hair colorist and makeup artist who works at Sephora. Clementine has been having an affair with Vote for Pedro for over five years now. She scored the highest IQ in her high school and was voted "Most Popular Girl" by her class.
Doña Amore
Communicates with spirits in different dimensions. Her sixth sense is so developed she can literally read your mind—so be careful with those dirty thoughts.
Blanca Nieves
Monsieur Pierre’s latest love interest, Blanca lives in the North Pole and rumor has it that her father is Santa Claus.
Blanca Nieves II
An Icelandic world traveler, she loves the Caribbean and reading erotic novels. Nimi Spaghetti is dying to ask her out, but she refuses to let her guard down even though she secretly loves him. She would rather live vicariously through the characters in her novels.
Antonieta Henrietta & Anacleta
These three fancy ladies are going to a party. After all, they are the ultimate New York City Socialite. Anacleta once received a marriage proposal but she respectfully declined since it involved relocating to the suburbs.
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Cleo
(Let's make a rhyme out of it!:) Cleo, Cleo. Plays the cello. Always up for eating Jell-O.
Hansel & Gretel
This duo lives under the sea and owns a condo down on Shell Drive. They are both sculptors, architects, and -like their creator- Unicorn Fantastiques.
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Wendy Patricia Sandoval
Born in Medellín, Colombia, she once participated in the Miss Colombia beauty pageant and was nominated in the "Most Photogenic" category, along with two other contestants, Miss Chocó and Miss Atlántico. She didn't win.
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Elena la Sirena
This is Elena la Sirena. She lives in the Bermuda Triangle and loves expensive jewelry. She won the lottery when she was 20 years old and spent it all in 5 years. Now she is desperately looking for a rich husband who can give her the life she deserves.
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Ernestina
This young girl lives in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her mom is a seamstress and her dad is a soccer player, but when Ernestina grows up she wants to be a singer.
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Lady Mermelada
Once a showgirl on the Moulin Rouge back in the days of prohibition. She now lives in Hell's Kitchen along with her cats Whisky and Bourbon. She also owns a bar and likes to write poetry.
Vote for Pedro
The only politician I trust. Let Pedro guide us. He's married to Frida but Clementine is his true soulmate, so he channels his romantic frustrations into running for office.
Nimi Spaghetti
A collector of motorcycles and antique cars, Nimi is also the mayor of Tangamandapio, the small town where he was born.
Toby Bowie
Meet Toby Bowie. He likes to eat magic mushrooms. He claims he's the illegitimate son of David Bowie but this has yet to be confirmed.
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Le Twins
Watch out for Emma and Sofia. They're quietly hatching plans to take over the world.
Marion
A French actress living in New York. She loves the sweet plantains and arroz con gandules that her Dominican boyfriends (multiple boyfriends simultaneously?) cook for her. Marion is known to be overly dramatic, and sometimes her hormones take over her life.
Monsieur Pierre
This boat-owner sails all year long. He has a serious alcohol problem but lives in denial. Monsieur Pierre has a girl in every port, but his favorite is Blanca Nieves...and they like to smoke pot together.
Frida
Recently back from her annual Balinese vacation, Frida was advised by her dermatologist to avoid tanning, but she just can’t help it. She is married to Vote for Pedro but they chose not to live in the same house. Their living arrangements and their open relationship have made it to Page Six more than once.