Mario Agustín Gaspar Rodríguez (b.1950) is a master artisan from Pátzcuaro, Michoacán who works alongside his wife, Beatriz Ortega Ruiz, another master artisan. Mario learned maque lacquer techniques at the age of 11 under Francisco Reyes, who was his primary school teacher and a master craftsman. He learned how to make pre-Hispanic lacquer, then rediscoverd the techniques for inlaying gold in lacquer pieces when he was a student under Pedro Fabián and Salvador Solchaga. Mario and Beatriz have taught their four children the techniques, but would rather have them choose different careers since the crafts do not pay well. Mario prefers working with "maque" rather than "laca", which is what Beatriz is known for.
