Oaxacan Carvings

The work of Oaxacan wood-carvers is well-known and highly collectible. Beginning with copal wood, the artist considers the shape of the piece in his hand, imagining what it might become. He starts cutting with a machete at first, and gradually transitions to finer, more precise tools as the carving phase nears completion.  In the final step of the artistic process, vibrant aniline paints are applied to the figure, in color combinations of fanciful brilliance.