Hector Gallegos Esparza learned to make pottery from his wife, Graciela Martinez de Gallegos. She had learned the craft from their neighbor, Armando Rodriguez, who lived just north of their home in Barrio Americano in Mata Ortiz.

At first Graciela was experimenting with simple figures, then Armando taught her to make pots. From there she moved into making wedding vases, urns and long-necked vessels with clay animal appliqués on them.

Hector does most of the painting, adding quadrillos, serpents, butterflies and other Paquime and Mimbres designs. As the painter it's usually Hector who signs the piece when it's done.

Like most of the men in Mata Ortiz, Hector would rather be on horseback tending to his cattle but the team of Hector and Graciela have gotten really good, and efficient: their pottery business brings in more than 95% of their annual income.