The El Nopal #39 "Heart of the Desert" is a special edition La Loteria sculpture from our Devotion Collection. This Zenwaro signature Loteria is a celebration of historic Mexican folklore, the natural beauty found in the desert landscape, and a bit of new-age artisan culture. We worked with the artist Rafael to adapt the traditional El Nopal Loteria card #39 infusing natures inspirational elements of the high desert terrain.

This Loteria sculpture includes an anatomical heart sculpture cleverly crafted to have  stinkingly similar features found on a prickly pear. A tasty fruit which sprout form paddles of Cacti or Nopales (Nopalea coccinellifera). The Prickly Heart is sculpted with twisted metal thorns protruding from all sides. The El Nopal #39 "Heart of the Desert" carries several design and artistic nuances "there is both beauty and harshness found in the desert ecology" also "that love can be both wonderful and painful at the same-time". Mostly this wonderful piece of wall is a thought provoking and eye catching work of art and will make a statement in your decor.

A whimsical collection of hand-painted terracotta/ceramic sculptures and artifacts. These jovial and vibrant sculptures are Artisan Sculpted from earthenware fired in a large kiln, and individually free-hand-painted. The Devotion Collection is a collaborative labor of love between Rafael Pineda and Zenwaro. All of the signature designs in this collection have a story of “Devotion” that inspired their creation. Whether it be Devoted to love, the Devotion of a furry companion, or the devotion towards a belief, a craft, a heritage, a lifestyle, and everything in-between. One of Rafeal’s devotions is using his hands to transform raw earth into original sculptural art with meaning. Many pieces are fused with metal wires allowing the ceramic accents (wings, thorns, flower, figures) to be manipulated. A level of thoughtful artistry that invites you to adjust/manipulate/maneuver the sculptural elements to your liking.

Every sculpture, every figure is individually hand-molded from raw earth then fired within a large traditional red brick kiln that is heated naturally by wood. Every sculpture is hand painted in a variety of colors. Some colors are intensely vibrant, others more earthly in tone, some are embellished with bright silver and gold metallic paints. After the illustrative process pieces are loaded back into the kiln for the final bake. Forever bonding the colors with the clay. The Devotion collection is a true combination of old world craftsmanship & whimsical artistry.