Oaxacan carvers past & present

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	The award for most ambitious array of original subject matter would go to Zeny Fuentes. A young carver who already tours outside his country to showcase his work.

	Jesus Ramirez is one of the great masters at combining old and new styles of carving and painting. Preferring to import his own dense wood for his one piece carvings he also dyes the straw hair. Each work is it's own distinct masterpiece.

	Maria Jimenez Ojeda's work is the best example of floral painting unique to the village of San Martin. An essential artists in a discriminating collectors collection.

	rocio Hernandez produces flawless and very carefully shaped animals. Her fish and lizards are fantastic. But it's her turtles that show off the intricacies of her painting.

	Antonio Carrillo is a carver for the occasion. A role model to others he carves amazing pre-columbian people, festive skeletons, and very graceful animals.

	Bili Mendoza has created a signature look to his animals. Although his painting style looks very basic at first glance his work reveals thousands of uniform dots as a backdrop.

	Master of the standing armadillo is Jacobo Cortez. Although his creations were originally small they now have grown in size while retaining the same level of detail. His painting style can be identified amoungst dozens of imitators.

	Legendario Mixes is one of several Mixes artisans who produce elongated wash painted animals and reptiles.

	One of the last of the true traditional aniline artists Calixto Santiago works in this difficult dye medium with a depth and expertise of a true maestro.

	Efrain Fuentes is unique in his armadillo invention. He has also tackled other creatures such as marlins and pumpkin people.

	When Luis Pablo came onto the woodcarving scene he quickly stole the spotlight from all the other great artists. Baboon families and otters standing on their heads are just some of his amazing inventions. His work is some of the most collectable in this art form. Always signing his pieces with an up all night candle icon.

	Newer carver cousin to Luis is Moises Pablo a.k.a. Arial Playas. Similar in style and approach to carving this ambitious artist produces works that are extremely well detailed and smoothly crafted. A very undervalued artist that sets a very high standard for veteran carvers to match.

	Carrying on the traditions of his famous father Miguel , Gil Santiago produces work that is contiguous with his mentor. From single piece elephants to majestic rams all of his works have an exceptional endearing quality and equally worthy of his predecessors.

	Jose Olivera focuses on the soft look of house cats. Brilliant expression is seen in each one of his life-like creations. To have one of his works is almost like having the real thing.

	Juan Carlos Santiago produces pieces alongside his entire family but it all bears his name. The larger creations he does himself. This charging reindeer is a fantastic example of his abilities. The entire piece is carved from one piece of wood with the exception of the antlers.

	Manuel Jimenez Hernandez is a distant relative to the famed Jimenez family. His work is of varying quality. When put to the test he produces some of the zaniest creations such as this cat headed lizard.

	Moises Jimenez is the humble grandson of Manuel Jimenez. His work is similar to his brother Armando's but some say is a degree better. His rabbits have won him state carving championships.

	Catarino Carrillo has a tremdous ability to accurately recreate an animal in motion. His carvings take only a slight bend to the surreal. His mermaids are considered some of the best around.

	The Tribus Mixes co-op of carvers produce a wide range of animals in many sizes and are instantly recognizable for their sleekness. Gazelles, peacocks, dragons, and mantids all share a natural look.

	In the house of Xuana Adrian is hailed as the innovator in festival pieces. Wild themed day of the dead figurines are his specialty. His themes are indicative of his ancient and highly superstitious Zapotec village.

	What collection would be complete without the inventive work of Damian Morales and wife Beatriz. Their wildly colorful roosters best represent a Zapotec's facination with this fearless avian.

	Eleazar Morales has evolved in just a short while from large works with little detail to smaller ultra-detailed creations. His work is hard to find however each piece is amazing. Some of the most off beat yet highly accurate animals on the planet.

	Smart yet simplistic shaped carvings with purely intelligent color arrangement describe the work of Eyolola Ortiz. A great deal of care and personality befit each creation.

	Antonio Mandarin works in the large scale and delights in reptiles and dragons. Cats in clothing are also a unique invention of this artist with asian heritage.

	Jesus Sosa's works are instantly recognizable by the rainbow masks that each subject wears. Tireless detail that can easily go unnoticed to the glancing eye. Each and every creation are a legacy to this art form.

	Gilberto Soriano sets himself apart with unparalled painting. Uniform shapes vibrate atop solid interlocking patterns.

	Sergio Santiago rarely goes out of the ocean for inspiration. His fish are always fun and interesting and the painting varies greatly.

	The Mendez family of San Martin are known for their powerful aliens of all sizes. The color palate is unchanging and their starburst designs are their trademark.

	Bertha Cruz's work can be seen in the top end galleries in Acapulco and throughout the southwest. Her approach to both carving and painting defies many established norms but at the same time creates new ones. Every subject she creates conveys her own artistic vision with the highest degree of quality.

	The most extraordinarily imaginative creatures of San Pedro Cajonos are done by the most senior brother Constantino Blas. The level of execution is of the highest degree and the depth of color unmatched.

	Carlos Morales is an amazing inventor of new creatures that inspires many imitators. Designing a wide range of unusual birds and fanciful creatures with strong presence.

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