Dora De Larios / RIP

In 1933, Dora De Larios was born to immigrant parents in the Los Angles neighborhood of Boyle Heights. Her father, who was from Mexico City, took the family to the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City where, at 6 years old, De Larios knew she wanted to be an artist. 
Dora studied ceramics at USC with Vivika and Otto Heino (pictured here with Dora) and Susan Peterson. She graduated in 1957.

Image: doradelarios.com

In the 1960s, from a referral from Susan Peterson, she was hired by Millard Sheets to design tiles for the Gladding McBean/Franciscan division, Interpace (International Pipe and Ceramics). She joined a team which included other big names in ceramics, like Harrison McIntosh, Rupert Deese, Ken Price, Henry Takemoto and Jerry Rothman. 

Image: doradelarios.com
In the 1960s Dora lived at Kings Road by R.M. Schindler.



In 1968, she founded Irving Place Studio with her friend Ellice Johnston. The collaborative of female artists shared resources and hosted sales. A couple years back I found two hand printed posters, obviously designed by Dora.

Compton Library Ceramic Mural (1973). This is one of many public works she created over the years. 

Source: Los Angeles County Arts Commission


At 84, Dora passed away on January 28th. She continued to work until just days before losing her four year battle with cancer. Her most recent exhibition was held at Craig Kull Gallery and she currently has two pieces in LACMA's Found in Translation exhibition.

Please read a nice piece on Dora published by the LA Times a day before she died.