Tag Archives: folk art

Shop Mexico: The Artisan Sisters Week 10–Tin hearts Frida-style and a word about nichos

Posted on Monday, August 20, 2012 | 4 Comments

Oaxaca is filled with craftsmen tucked away in small corners of the city hammering tinware into picture frames, throbbing Frida-style hearts, and ornate boxes. With hammer in hand, a large nail and metal clippers, they create exquisite designs in locally made metal. The results can be as simple as a small nicho – a little shrine, altar or blessing box. These are usually outfitted with a small glass door, empty inside, waiting to be filled with your own heart’s desire or whatever inspires you. When you are finished, hang it on a wall or put it on a table top.

Today, the Artisan Sisters offer you a choice of beautiful tin hearts for sale, painted and ready to hang. Finest quality tinware and painting. An inspiration to visit or return to Oaxaca!

Buy the entire collection of 4 REMAINING pieces below for $35 USD, includes shipping to anywhere in the USA. To purchase, send me an email first!

Left: SOLD. Tin heart with mirror, stunning crown, of red with blue accents, little turquoise dots rim the mirror. See the reflection of the potted plant in the mirror? Measures 9-1/2″ high x 5″ wide. An unusual piece, beautifully crafted! Item #1.08192012. $25 USD. Includes shipping to anywhere in USA.

Email me first to order.

Left: Flying heart — Heart on Wings. Hand-hammered tin and painted. This is the quintessential Frida-style heart that lifts the spirit. Measures approx. Wingspan is 10″wide x 4″ high. Item #2.08192012. $15 USD. Includes shipping to anywhere in USA.

Above left: Hearts surrounded by hearts! Measures 7″ high x 5-1/4″ wide. Item #3.08192012. $10.00 USD includes shipping to anywhere in USA.

Above right: Feathered crown heart. Measures 5″ high x 3-1/4″ wide. Item #4.08192012. $8.00 USD includes shipping to anywhere in USA.

Left: Not a Heart. Circle with center mirror. Measures 3-1/4″ diameter. $10 USD includes shipping to anywhere in USA.

Email me first to place your order.

To order your own tin nicho to decorate yourself, contact Chiripa: Artisan Crafts of the Americas. They will give instructions with purchase! And, be sure to visit Nicodemus at the corner of Mina and J.P. Garcia or another artesania at the corner of Reforma and Abasolo for a great selection of tinware when you are in Oaxaca.

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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture

Tagged blogsherpa, folk art, hearts, Mexico, Oaxaca, tin

Shop Mexico: Week 3–Day of the Dead Extravaganza

Posted on Monday, May 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

The Artisan Sisters offer, on this Memorial Weekend Monday, unusual pieces by noted Oaxaca artisans who playfully render clay and wood into fanciful Day of the Dead figures. Today’s line-up: Josefina Aguilar, ceramic artist, Bertha Cruz, alebrijes painter, and Miguel Diaz.

1. First, we introduce you to The Happy Couple: Ready for a Stroll Around Town. By famous Ocotlan de Morelos folk artist Josefina Aguilar. The glittery female Catrina rests on her parasol while balancing a cigarette holder in her other hand. She stands tall at 11-1/2″ high x 5″ wide. Her male companion is 13″ high x 4″ wide, complete with bow tie and top hat. These are substantial figures, larger that what is typical. Note: both heads rest on wire springs — the better to see you with, my dear. Sold as a pair. Item #5312012.2. $265. Day of the Dead is just around the corner!

3. Catrina Roja Negra. Bertha Cruz, an amazing alebrije painter from Arrazola, outdid herself on this figure. Bertha began selling independently out of her home about four years ago. She is not represented in galleries. Her brush details are eensy teensy and exquisite. Her husband, Alfonso Castellanos Ibañez, does the carving but insists that she sign her name because the beauty is in the painting, he says. She is quite collectible. 14″ high x 5″ wide. Item #5312012.3. $225.

Alebrijes-Mexico, a German art resource, notes that “Bertha is a famous painter. Every single one of her alebrijes is a unique work of art. None of her sculptures matches any of the others. Each of her sculptures represents a three dimensional painting of the highest standard. She predominantly uses Zapotec motifs in subdued colors. She is without restriction one of the best artists in Mexico.”

4. Donkey Playing Keyboard is a whimsical musician lady, she’s got the rhythm, she’s got the beat. Carved copal wood and painted alebrije figure by Arrazola folk artist Miguel Diaz (signed). 9-7/8″ high x 3-1/2″ wide. Item #5211012.4. $45.

Don’t forget to contact us first by email to see if the item you are interested in is still available. We will send you an invoice after we calculate shipping costs based on your Zip Code. Many thanks, Norma and Barbara, The Artisan Sisters.

Come see Oaxaca for yourself during Day of the Dead and attend our Photography Expedition, October 28-November 4.

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Posted in Carved Figures, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture

Tagged alebrijes, Bertha Cruz, blogsherpa, folk art, Mexico, Oaxaca, Ricardo Linares, sale, shop

Shop Mexico: Week 2 — Alebrijes + Animales

Posted on Monday, May 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

We are offering a weekly listing of handmade textiles, alebrijes, clothing, jewelry and other Mexican collectibles from Shop Mexico: The Artisan Sisters.

This week we feature hand-carved copal wood alebrijes, whimsical Oaxaca figures that are painstakingly hand-painted, plus a sweet Chiapas alligator made of hand-felted and embroidered wool.

Strike Up the Band. 3-figures, each approx, 6″ high x 2-1/4″ wide. $115. Signed by San Martin Tilcajete artist Pablo Vasquez Matias. Item #5212012.1 These whimsical animal musicians are playing cymbals, drums and saxophone. Music is an essential part of Oaxaca village life, present at every festive occasion. Toombalah. Toot.

El Nahual. SOLD. Approx. 5-3/4″ high x 5″ wide. $35. Item #5212012.2. Signed by San Martin Tilcajete artist Inocencio Vasquez. The Nahual is an important part of Mesoamerican folk religion, a human with magical powers who can turn him/herself into an animal. This yellow nahual has horsehair whiskers and tail, with a sweet uplifted human face. The three small brown spots are copal sap, which in no way detracts. Copal sap is used for ritual incense in Oaxaca. Price plus shipping and handling depending upon your location.

Alligator. SOLD. This wool felted character comes from Chiapas, Mexico, where alligators and crocodiles swim in wide, muddy rivers. The felt is handmade from locally sheared wool and stuffed, then sewn and embellished by hand. Approx. 14″ long x 5″ wide. $24. Item #5212012.3.

Shipping and handling for our items is additional. Please send us your ZIP code and we will send you the cost to ship. Please contact me before sending your PayPal payment to be sure the item you want is available!

The Artisan Sisters are Norma Hawthorne and Barbara Beerstein. Sisters in real life, we love Mexico, love to travel together, and shop to support artists and artisans. We usually come home with much more than what we need.

That is to your advantage! Our prices our reasonable. We ship fast. We have already made the purchase, paying the artist what they have asked for without bargaining. We believe in compensating people fairly for the beauty they create.

Week 1: Shop Mexico: The Artisan Sisters, May 14, 2012

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Posted in Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Travel & Tourism

Tagged alebrijes, blogsherpa, copal, folk art, for sale, Mexico, Oaxaca, shop, store, wood figures

Jose Garcia Antonio, Oaxaca Folk Art Sculptor

Posted on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

For many years now, I have made it a practice to regularly visit the sculpture and pottery studio-workshop-home of Jose Garcia Antonio. We call him “Don Jose,” an honorific that testifies to his folk art talent working with clay. Last week, three of us hired a taxi for an all-day excursion into the Ocotlan valley. Roberta had commissioned a sculpture for her Teotitlan del Valle rooftop garden and we set out to retrieve it.

Don Jose is blind from cataracts, yet his hands feel the wet clay and create primitive works of beauty that are in museum and private collections. His wife Teresa Mendoza Sanchez is his muse and helpmate. It is her image that is reflected in his work. Almost all of his robust depictions of women have her features and signature beauty mark.

His work is recognized in the Grandes Maestros de Arte Popular de Oaxaca Art (Great Masters of Oaxaca Folk Art), a book produced by Banamex Foundation and supported by the Alfredo Harp Helu Foundation. (I was at the presentation but missed getting a book because I was too busy talking! Now, I can’t seem to find one anywhere.)

He proudly showed us his copy of the book signed by all the dignitaries who were there: Philanthropist Alfredo Harp Helu, Dra. Isabel Grañen Purrua, Governor Gabino Cue, and other notables. I saw him from a distance accept this treasure, an official recognition of his life’s work. His children have also been acknowledged for their creativity in Arden Rothstein’s book about the new generation of talent coming out of the villages.

Jose and Teresa’s home is tucked away beyond the church in San Antonino Castillo Velasco behind a tall gate. You would never know the treasure trove that awaits you by looking from the street.

To get there, you turn right on Castillo Velasco at the sign that directs you into the pueblo from the Ocotlan road. Then you go straight until you get to the street before the church and turn right. (If you go right up to the church, the only way you can go is left, so pay attention.) Turn left at the next street, Calle Libertad, and continue for a few blocks until you see the clay cow and pig on the roof. Tel. (951) 539-6473.

The next generation: Jose and Maria’s daughter is an excellent sculptor as well. And, a footnote: Because I’m now able to live here many more months out of the year, I went ahead and acquired the pretty clay woman with the braids and bowl on her head, hanging on to her skirts, above left. As with most primitive folk art, these pieces are delightful, whimsical, and reflective of the cultural art traditions. They are also very heavy. Shipping and crating would be a bloody fortune!

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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Photography, Travel & Tourism

Tagged blogsherpa, clay, folk art, Jose Garcia Antonio, Mexico, Oaxaca, pottery, San Antonino Castillo, sculpture

More Than 36 Hours: Oaxaca, Mexico — Shopping & Galleries

Posted on Monday, January 23, 2012 | 2 Comments

Where to Shop and Galleries

The list that I sent to Freda Moon, The New York Times travel writer who created the feature 36 Hours: Oaxaca, Mexico, included some of my favorite places to see art, shop and explore. Of course, it would have been impossible for Freda to include them all. Nevertheless, I’m sharing with you what I sent to her.

Galeria Fe y Lola, NEW Av. 5 de Mayo #408, authentic, beautiful weavings (rugs, wall hangings, handbags, scarves) made only with natural dyes. A family-owned, small production workshop is located in Teotitlan del Valle. Most rugs available in city gallery. Weaving demonstrations can be scheduled. Most days you can find La Dueña Dolores (Lola) Santiago Arrellanas there. Call ahead to be sure they are open. (951) 524-4078 or 044 (951)130-2481. Not in any guidebook.

Call painter and assemblage artist Humberto Bautista for an appointment to personally visit to his studio on Porfirio Diaz. (951) 516-0100. Not in any guidebook. Humberto and his colleague Mari Seder teach Oaxaca arts workshops.

“Tirso Cuevas” Hojalata – NEW hand-hammered tin boxes, picture frames, sculpture, lamps, mirrors, hearts, and trinkets along with contemporary art gallery by some of Oaxaca’s best young artists, tucked into old 17^th century historic building needing renovation at the corner of Reforma and Abasolo (enter on Abasolo). Tirsocuevas-hojalata@hotmail.com. Open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Closed 2-4 p.m. for lunch.

Talleres Comunitarios de Zegache, NEW hand-carved wood mirrors embellished in gold and silver leaf in traditional European technique. Gallery supports young people in Santa Ana Zegache, Ocotlan. Open M-F, 10a – 8p, Av. 5 de Mayo #412, Plaza Lucero, (in the back of the patio) behind Black Box Gallery. www.proyectozegache.com

Museo Textil de Oaxaca, NEW Hidalgo #917 at the corner of Fiallo, two blocks from the Zocalo, open 7 days. This is the ONLY textile museum in Mexico. Includes a preservation/restoration unit. The best of the best! Rotating exhibits, openings, great gallery shop. English-language tours offered. (951) 501-1104. Opened in 2009.

Los Baules –Remigio Mestas Collections, fabulous textiles from throughout Oaxaca state; in the courtyard of Los Danzantes restaurant on Macedonio Alcala. Enter next to Oro de Monte Alban. Like a museum collection. Remigo is the “go-to” curator for the best of the best. cbram@prodigy.net.mx

El Nahual Gallery, NEW Av. 5 de Mayo, right next door to Galeria Fe y Lola. Great collection of carved alebrijes, pottery, textiles, sterling silver jewelry personally selected by proprietors Alejandrina Rios and her husband award-winning Saltillo-style weaver Erasto “Tito” Mendoza. (951) 204-2381 or 516-4202 or elnahual75@prodigy.net.mx

Oaxaca State Artisans Collective, Av. Garcia Virgil, up the hill almost to the ancient aquaduct, past the restaurant Casa del Tio Guero. If you can make it this far, it’s worth it. Great selection, great quality handcrafts, good prices, but out of the way.

Step down into the little shop Artesanias, owned by Senor Francisco Jesus Hernandez Perez, on Constitucion between 5 de Mayo and Reforma. Ask to see the tissue paper collages. They are whimsical, colorful, special.

Fabricante de Joyerîa Oaxaqueña in the Mercado de Artesanias, corner J.P. Garcia and Zaragoza. Margarita Pérez Antonio and her daughter Luz Esmeralda Bautista Péres sell exquisite back-strap loom-woven and needle-point embroidered huipiles and other textiles, plus a great selection of antique-style silver filagree earrings. Norteño women in the know shop here. Good price to quality ratio. email: joyasdeoaxaca_2000@yahoo.com.mx or cellular 044 (951) 516-6375.

As of this writing, the exchange rate is 13.2 pesos to the dollar. Everything is a fantastic buy. In my humble opinion, there is no need to bargain in this environment that is favorable to the tourist. Bargaining tends to be a more acceptable practice on the street that from a gallery owner or shopkeeper! However, keep in mind, that prices are low to start with and we are doing our part to help support artists and artisans whose work is extraordinary.