News

Aztompa Ruins Oaxaca Mexico

July 06, 2023

Entrance to the Underworld

An entrance to the underworld has been found in Mitla Oaxaca.  Many cathedrals throughout Mexico are built on former ruins of Olmecs, Mayans, Zapotecs, Aztecs and in this instance of Mitla the Mixtecs.

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Season of the Bruja

October 15, 2022

Season of the Bruja

Day of the Dead Season of the Witch new Arrivals in Chocolate and Copal Fine Figurine Sculptures by Xuana, Avelino, Lauro, Eleazar and others.

 

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Avelino's Fall Arrivals

October 03, 2021

Avelino's Fall Arrivals

Waiting almost a year for an amazing assortment of Avelino medium sized figurine copal masterworks!

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March 08, 2021

Gallos and Amazing Chocolate

 

Port Wahakaa Oaxaca Mexico Art and Chocolate Austin Texas

There are reasons to celebrate here at Port Wahakaa.  Like many other small businesses the Covid lockdowns globally have made it incredibly tough.  For micro businesses like ours it's been especially difficult to reach our artisans and chocolate producers.  This week we celebrate Texas Opening Up with two shipments.  The first shipment very refined Oaxacan Woodcarvings by long time favorite artist Jose Olivera.  The second shipment are some of the best chocolate in the 11 years of importing Oaxacabars.

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May 07, 2020

Marciano versus the Alebrije

Mysterious Martian Marcianos Alebriges Oaxaca Explained

Once upon a woodcarving in the village of San Martin a devil and a porcupine decided to have a child and the result was the Marciano. These eye catching creatures have many appendages like wings, fins, ears, horns, and tails. During their heyday of 1980’s and 1990’s a host of different artists did their own variations, riffing and evolving off of one another. Impressive pieces from the Mendez family and Angeles family are some of Port Wahakaa’s earliest examples from the dawn of digital cameras. The Mendez Marcianos were over a foot tall and the Angeles aliens were half that but had the cutest expressive eyes.
Mendez Martian Angeles Alebrije Good Luck
At some point in time the Sosa family (Carmelo and Luis) once known for tyrannical dragons created the iconic standard still seen today. While they are now assumed to be Alebrijes they are rooted to the Marciano space creature ‘Martian’. Ironically, If you were to enter the term ‘alebrije’ into a search engine in the 1990’s you would see Spanish websites talking about the movie Star Wars and the images would be of the Mos Eisley cantina.
Luis Sosa and Carmelo Sosa Alebrije Marciano Masters of Oaxacan woodcarving
Marciano’s have been said to ward off evil spirits or negate any unwanted bad luck much like the Tiki’s of Hawaii. Whether it was invented or improvised if you asked the artist ‘are these good luck’ they would nod and say ‘si pero por supuesto’ yes but of course. Always capturing the attention over other competing tourist folk art with their eye-popping colors and flaring forms. This is most evident in crowded markets where the casual passerby sees these bright aliens and is drawn in for a potential sale. We are describing our own first discovery of them south of the zocalo in the summer of 1992 in Oaxaca city. Even in regional markets the tables with Marcianos would upstage black or green pottery and the woven rugs much to the consternation of other vendors.
Tiki versus Alebrije Oaxaca Port Wahakaa Mexico Good And Evil
Over in the village of San Pedro Cajonos they are not familiar with the term ‘Marciano’ but instead Alebrije. They have fashioned their creations after the famous Pedro Linares familiy of paper mache monsters from the 1960’s as seen in the book Folk Treasures of Mexico by Nelson Rockefeller. In that book they spell it ‘Alebriges’ which has long since been a source of confusion. To add to the confusion all Oaxacan Wood Carvings are often generalized as Alebrijes but that is whole separate topic of discussion. Each of the Blas brothers have their own ‘alien’ aka Alebrije variant. Some are very friendly and others nightmarish. Rogelio, Constantino, and Medardo all have their own unique offerings that have changed over the years. Their children have tried to adhere to their styles but still slightly change and evolve over time. If you see some in our gallery know that they were difficult to obtain and the quality sublime.

Blas Constantino, Rogelio, Medardo Alebrijes Port Wahakaa

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March 25, 2020

Smart & Safe in Strange Times

We’ve received a few emails wondering if we are still shipping Oaxacan Woodcarvings and Oaxacan Chocolate and the short answer is YES. In fact we’ve recently received two new shipments. The first is cool selection of pieces by Armando Jimenez brother of Moises and the grandson of the original Arrazola carving artist Manuel Jimenez. The second is a shipment of Oaxacabar chocolates super fresh arriving a week and a half ago.

Since 1998 as retailers we have seen many booms and bust times in the cultural landscape. Being quarantined for an undefined period of time has that same kind of uncertainty like the events of 9/11 or the 2008 recession. In time civilized society evolved and soldiered on. It certainly is hard to tell if you watch up to the minute news but things will return to a sense of normalcy soon enough. We will be promptly shipping orders next day and are still in communication with the dozens of families spread across the Oaxacan landscape working out future arrivals. We hope that all our friends and collectors stay safe and smart in these trying times.

Atzompa Archaeological Site Port Wahakaa Austin Texas 2020
pictured is the lesser known ruins Atzompa on top of Cerro El Bonte north of Monte Alban.

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This Week 10% Off With Orders Over $200

September 10, 2019

This Week 10% Off With Orders Over $200

This Week 10% Off With Orders Over $200

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June 19, 2019

Lion's Love Chocolate Cacao Roasted Oaxaca Mexico

While organizing and unpacking our new shipment of Oaxacan chocolate bars we found our newest feline in the gallery has taken a special liking to them so we snapped a photo.

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June 05, 2019

Famous Oaxacan Artist Margarito Melchor Copal Tree Master Mexico

See our new page dedicated to longtime legendary Oaxacan original Margarito Melchor.  A magical artist that is easily one of the supporting columns of the art.

Mexico's Folk Art Legend Oaxacan Woodcarver Margarito Melchor of San Martin Cats

 

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Go for The Original  Cacao Has More Health Benefits than conventional Chocolate

May 09, 2019

Go for The Original Cacao Has More Health Benefits than conventional Chocolate

A great article from Cacao news.  Although chocolate is derived from the Cacao bean the latter offers a plethora of healthy perks and benefits.  Improving mood and enhancing brain function name just two.  We actually have come to appreciate what it does to prevent aging and fighting stress.

Port Wahakaa imports it's own brand of delicious all roasted 100% cacao chocolate bars in very limited quantities.  They are nothing like American or European chocolate that is why we think you'll be delightfully surprised!

Oaxacabar Oaxacan Chocolates is Every Alebrije's Favorite Food At Port Wahakaa

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January 25, 2019

Tribus Mixes Studio Workshop Oaxacan Woodcarving Artistry Mexican Treasures in the City

Tribus Mixes Stone Gardens

We were fortunate enough to pay a visit to the workshop of the most independent group of Oaxacan wood carvers the ones who call themselves Tribus Mixes. One of the only carvers found in the city of Oaxaca. Their styles have often been imitated but their methods of magic defy approach.
Studio of Tribus Mixes Oaxaca Mexico
What first impresses is the stark difference between the exterior and interior of their workspace. The outside is nondescript and small in appearance but once inside opens up into large interior stone tiled cactus gardens, showrooms for larger works, and areas specific to carving or painting.
Cactus Botanical Gardens Tribus Mixes Oaxacan Woodcarving Studio

Peacocks Hawks Natural Wood Tribus Mixes Oaxaca City Mexico

Our earliest memories of Tribus Mixes artists were in some of the juried shows back in the 1990’s. Nobody from the other villages used their materials or made dragons, cats, or insects anything quite like them. They had the purest observations of nature that they projected into their pieces and it’s even more extravagant in 2019.
Tribus Mixes Finished Large Woodcarvings Masterworks

Tribus Mixes Showroom Works of Art Oaxaca Mexico City

Although they prefer larger than life pieces they send to other destinations of Mexico and beyond they do a brilliant job in pieces under a foot long. Some of their natural woods are so beautiful they are reluctant to paint them. They use a variety of unusual woods such as encino, willow, ocote, cedrillos, and aguacatillos.
Fine Painter Studio Tribus Mixes Wood Natural Oaxaca Mexico

Hidden Corners of the Tribus Mixes Wood Carving Studio Oaxaca City Mexico

It’s easy to lose track of time when looking at their tremendous array of subjects. Wondering what unpainted or unassembled pieces will eventually morph into. Some painters of Mixes love complex colors while others prefer almost monotone. They cater to tastes beyond the scope of what popular artists villages have focused on over the last few decades. We were most dazzled with their birds and how they look real on tree branches. Who knows what supernatural creatures they will transform into on our next visit to the studio.
Toucans of a Feather Fly the Jungles Together Oaxaca Mexico Tribus Mixes


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June 07, 2018

Coco Brings Alebrijes to the Big Screen in Epic Fashion

Coco Alebirje Town Animales Village Oaxaca Mexico Table Top Market

Coco is an endearing story we’ve recently enjoyed that features a subject near and dear to us ‘Alebrijes’.  Innocently featured in the start of the movie they are displayed as you would see them at a market similar to Ocotlán de Morelos or at the entrance to Arrazola.  Familiar Giraffes, Rabbits, Roosters, Lizards, and Fish can be seen on the table.  In a tourist tienda the term Alebrijes or Alebriges would be used to describe the carvings.  In an individual artist studio Animalito would be used if animals are their specialty. If you were to do an Alta Vista search in the 1990’s for Alebrije you would get links to Star Wars websites in Spanish.  But we digress let us get back to the story.
Underworld Afterlife Coco Alebrijes Animalitos Day of the Dead Port Wahakaa Article
The really neat thing that happens in Pixar fashion is when our protagonist goes to the underworld in Beetlejuice style the Alebrijes become animated alive.  Described by one of the denizens as ‘spirit guardians’ these creatures act as guides or messengers between the living and the dead.  This harkens back to the Popol Val or Zapotec folklore describing certain animals like owls that have that ability.  Once in the underworld Mayans describe large rivers to cross that only the resident dogs on the shore may ferry you across.  It’s fascinating how the movie and Mexican folktales we’ve heard for 25+ years blend together.
Disney Dogs Alebrijes Coco Underworld River Boat Captain Oaxacan Wood Carvings
Ultimately the story is about creating an understanding for how Mexican cultures celebrate lost loved ones once a year. If it were a uniquely Oaxacan tale you couldn’t leave out the animal shape changer nahuals of San Martin Tilcajete and their amazing ability to play instruments.  Alongside the skeletons would be a large population of red devils as they often outnumber skeletons in villages like La Union.  It’s almost impossible not to shed a tear at the end but all in all a happy movie.  A movie we wouldn’t mention had it not featured our decade after decade spanning endearing friends the Alebrijes.  We haven't cried in a movie for ages.  Fun for all ages.  Oh yeah, and many of the carvings are found in our hundreds of different Alebrijes, Animalitos, Festivos, and Nahuals spanning the villages of San Antonio Arrazola, San Martin Tilcajete, La Union Tejalapan, San Pedro Cajonos, Ocotlán de Morelos, San Pedro Taviche, and Oaxaca City.

Frida Alebrije Coco Movie Monkey Musical Violin Disney Oaxacan Figures of Wood Mexico

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Day of the Dead Celebrated throuth the Magic in the Trees OaxacanWoodcarving

October 20, 2017

Day of the Dead Celebrated throuth the Magic in the Trees OaxacanWoodcarving

Day of the Dead Cemetary Skeleton Canoe

Dia de los Muertos is when the spirits come back to visit their families. Every house, store, cemetery, and zocalo have an alter to welcome back their loved ones. These temporary shrines contain a photo of the person, favorite drinks and food, mezcal, and keepsakes the dead may miss like left behind paraphernalia .

Cloaked Clergy Candle Vigil Day of the Dead Figures

Copal incense and candles elevate prayers of the living. It is very important to build an alter for a specific person otherwise you could invite back a bad or lost soul or possibly devils.
Skeletons Out of the Closet Oaxaca Day of the Dead


Days of the Dead are on November 1 and 2, however in Oaxaca lot of the festivities begin a week in advance. Parades on various streets meet in the zocalo, performers, vendors, clowns, and costumed kids and adults. On Halloween day the downtown cemetery in old downtown becomes the nexus of activities. 

Painted Faces Dead Can Dance

There you will see amazing costumes and artfully painted faces.  Candles light the way.  Tombs of loved ones graves are festooned with decorations and food.  Here food is served and people dine around the graves celebrating.
Parade of Skeletons Day of the Dead Oaxaca

Day of the Dead is by far the biggest event of the year in Oaxaca.  The character creations and inventions inspire everyone.  From kids smeared in motor oil looking like devils to beautiful women in formal wear faces painted as skeletons. 

The Dogs Come back on the Day of the Dead

Most of all it's a time for families to remember, acknowledge and appreciate the lineage of those that lived before them or the recently near and dear. 

October Harvest of the Dead Oaxaca

In the 21st century the concept are being mainstreamed into movies giving the world a glimpse of elaborate fashion and purpose. 

Shrine of the Day of the Dead Clergy and Banker

Oaxacan carvers produce very special themed pieces only at this time of year and we as collectors prize those uniquely one of a kind skeletons, devils, and nahuals for their thematic connection to the world beyond sight.

Cowboy Mexico Skeletons Day of the Dead

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July 28, 2017

Guelaguetza reigns in Oaxaca Mexico Summer Dance Events Arena Expo

The Gift of Corn was a gift meant to keep on giving.

Giving Zapotec Aztec God of Corn

On the two Mondays that Guelaguetza reigns in Oaxaca. The time honored celebration of the corn goddess, Centeotl and the feast of Corpus Christi.  A fusion of traditional and Spanish cuisines.  Featured in the parade is the woman who represents the deity in the life and death of a Zapotec princess and the cult of the Virgin Del Carmen.
Parade in Oaxaca
The inner colonial city hosts the festival to honor pre-Hispanic cultures.  To Mexico, Oaxaca is the hub where the largest native indigenous population exists in tact.  Between 50-60% of the residents have strong ties to the major Zapotec and Mixtec culture.  Unique languages, gods, textiles, food and more characterize a uniquely ancient culture. In addition there are Oaxacan Chinese and Fisherman from Union Hildago who offer up song, syrup, and their own traditional garb.

Oaxacan Traditional Dancers

Copal Song Guelaguetza

At the main event are seven groups representing seven regions of the state performing samples of their dancing in a large arena amphitheater.  Seat holders cheer along to lively dancers and vocalists. In recent years sports competitions, theater performances, and artistic exhibitions are found throughout the city.  Weather in July is some of the very best in Oaxaca.  The air is very clean after the rains and everything is very green.  One of the best times to visit.

Oaxaca Guelaguetza event Stadium

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April 17, 2017

Oaxacan Folklore Nahuals Toltec Travelers Mexican Magic Users Spirit Walkers

 Countercultural Shamanic Spiritual Transformation of the 1970's

Many native Mexican folktale recount the antics of the Nahual, a strange shamanic sorcerer-type witch residing at the fringes of village life who prefer to operate where there are few to witness their craft. These beings have the ability to morph into animals and travel into the spiritual realm. Sometimes called naguals this name variation denotes a divine animal spirit within the individual. Divinity is usually depicted with feathered wings. 

Avatar Animal Spirits Oaxaca

First recorded by Friars and Priests living in Mexico in the 17th century they were described as having the ability to change their shape to dogs, owls, armadillos, cows, chickens and most impressively jaguars.

 Near the Farm the Oaxacan Animals Change Shape

Toltec in origin these beings still exist today creating mischief to some and acting as guardians on others. Both feared and respected, it is said their ability to transform is directly related to the animal represented on it’s birth day. This spirit companion transformer has been adopted into movies like Ron Howard’s Willow, rock group Yes’s ‘Owner of a Lonely Hearts’ music video, and even Power Rangers.  In ancient Persia and in mentioned in the Koran the Djinn were also able to shape shift. Comparisons can also be made to the wolf man of Europe.

 Djinn Devil Shell Werewolf of Europe

In Oaxaca, the mestizo (Europe and American Indian) populations consider nahuals to have malevolent intentions while the Zapotecs and Mixes revere them as protectors of the people. The character of Don Juan in the Carlos Castaneda books was a type of shamanic practitioner nahuatl descendant who encouraged the main character to identify with animals and learn from their spiritual teachings.

Carlos Castaneda Crow Wings Spirit Shaman

The three villages of Arrazola, San Martin, and La Union celebrate the subject of the nahual in many of their artisan works. Fanciful tales of stones transforming into people for the purpose of dancing and then shape shift into chickens.  Music played for festival celebrations often depict people playing a musical instruments with such fervor that they morph into animals is a reoccurring theme. 

Animal Festival Parade Oaxaca Mexico

Now relegated to simple trickery in order to get a free meal. The late Manuel Jimenez claims to have been challenged to strange contests of skill by several witches. It is often thought that the nahuals change their shape to farm animals in order to get a free meal. Woodcarvings of burros or cows are based around that folktale. As a rule of thumb nahuals usually have beards and blue eyes.   Qualities that were very rare with those sharing Meso American ancestry.  

Blue Eyed Grasshopper Man

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March 10, 2017

Famous Oaxacan Artists Edilberto Felipe & Mauricio Ramirez Mexico

The year opens with the arrivals of pieces by Edilberto Cortez and the artist team of Felipe and Mauricio Ramirez.  When we first discovered these artists back in the early 1990s, we were amazed at their distinctive qualities that sets their work apart in the highly competitive Oaxacan village of Arrazola.

Edilberto Cortez Oaxacan Master Artist in Copal and Acrylic

The eyes will immediately capture your attention when admiring a Oaxacan woodcarving and this is the magic in Edilberto's art. He has a unique way of creating 3D chiseled eyes on all of his works. 

Anteater Arrazola Edilberto Cortez Oaxaca Wood Carving Largest

Starting with his Egyptian cats and working their way across his zoomorphic portfolio are animal eyes interrelated by the characteristic raised eye shapes.  Snail Caracole Land Sea Arrazola Acrylic Copal WoodWhile other artists mimic Zapotec and Navaho patterns Cortez invents his own geometrical spaces and rules of color.  An anteater will always portray the characteristics of an anteater while a snail will always have a lucid patchwork of prismatic positioning. 

Kangaroo Stylistic Face Off Pouches Copal Wood Oaxaca Mexico

At the realistic end is his fur pattern painting style and splotchy patch method is entirely unique to him.  Another feather in Edilberto's hat is the ability to evolve new styles while embracing his original hallmark designs.

Felipe Ramirez Premiere Iguana Fire Lizard Artist Oaxacan Copal Wood Carving

Felipe and Mauricio Ramirez are the defacto Arrazola lizard painters.  Over the years many artists have borrowed from their flaming multi-color camouflage with boundless color combinations. 

Superlative Looping Lizard Felipe Ramirez Oaxacan Copal Woodcarving Arrazola

They are masters of mixing colors as they can make so many different hues work.  The term 'no two are alike'  quickly comes to mind when viewing the Ramirez brothers vast array of surreal swirling patterns and the contouring of multi-loop tailed lizards. 

Neon Nuclear Lemon Lizard Oaxaca Mexico Mauricio Ramirez

You could collect a hundred iguanas and two would never be alike.  Their custom color palette has a higher degree of depth also sets them apart from other artists.  In fact, colors that have only existed in Oaxacan pieces are ones Mauricio mixed himself. 

Pine Green Mountain Lizard Mexico Oaxaca Felipe Ramirez

Their pieces are often the only thing collectors collect forgoing the many other genres of village styles. Yes, 2017 has a magical start with these fantastic works new in the gallery.

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January 22, 2017

Oaxacan Woodcarving: Historical Review

In 2017, our gallery hits the age of 21.  The extent of artists and their works we've encountered reaches back into the early 1970s.  In our own unconventional Port Wahakaa fashion we've illustrated the benchmarks as waves of creativity and invention.   See it Here...

Snail Cat with whiskers and turtle riding on shell

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December 14, 2016

Oaxacan Hot Chocolate Frothy Style

Easy Recipe to Make Oaxacan Hot Chocolate

Those first cold days of the year and we all cherish a hot beverage to sip while relaxing.  Our Oaxacan bars of chocolate are the ideal components of an amazing cup of frothy cacao plain and simple.  While other recipes utilize the baking chocolate discs our uniquely formulated Oaxacabars take all the alchemical guess work out of creating a fast authentic beverage in under 5 minutes.  Let us share with you our favorite hot beverage bar none over the years.

Step 1 - Grate 2 Oaxacabars:

Start by grating 2 bars (approx. 10 grams) for every cup (9 oz) of hot chocolate. To grate the bars we recommend a microplane grater but any kind of grater will do.  The idea is to get the chocolate into a fluffy powder.

Step 2 - Heat milk or water until just below boiling:

In Oaxaca, hot chocolate is usually made with water. For a thicker more profound taste try whole milk.  Heat the milk or water in a saucepan until it's nearly ready to boil.  But do not let it boil!

Step 3 - Gently mix in grated chocolate:

Now add in the grated chocolate. Mix continuously with the whisk to prevent the chocolate from sticking to the bottom. Do this for about 2 minutes.

Step 4 - Pour chocolate mixture into cup:

Oaxacan chocolate is served frothy, the result of brisk whisk action will give it a thick head of foam on top.  Your friends and associates will tell you this is the best hot chocolate they've ever had.  Don't let this go to your head.  Remain humble and enjoy a lifetime of great hot chocolate.

Checkout our newest shipment of Oaxacan chocolate bars in several quantities:

https://oaxacanwoodcarving.com/collections/oaxacabars-chocolate-from-where-chocolate-began

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October 12, 2016

Stroll through San Martin

One of the most expansive of all the carving villages and arguably the oldest.  They say it was San Martin that supplied the corn to the builders of Monte Alban.   Visit at high noon and you will be able to spread out your walking legs as many will be indoors due to the suns intensity.

San Martin Tilcajeta at noon on main street

 

An agricultural base that either gets too much water or too little.  These days people are more conscientious about how the water is managed.

Water Belongs to Everyone in San Martin Tilcajete

 

Bougainvilleas line a maze work of streets and small bridges.  Many people tend their own gardens.  The heat is intense at mid day keeping most folks indoors.

Banana Bridge Garden San Martin Tilcajete

 

From time to time you will see the workshop tiendas open for business with a lizard or painted cactus adorning the entrance to metal doors and brightly painted walls with murals.  Or not entirely finished buildings of concrete with temporary doors.

Oaxacan Metal Doors Lizard Wall

 

While many of the artists are friendly the one of the most amicable and personable is Innocencio Vasquez.  His festival diablos positioned in chairs and nahuals have been his mainstay for several decades.  To him they are depictions of real supernatural creatures seen infrequently.  He’s a wealth of information on these subjects of shape changers. His pieces tell a story part about the invisible world around us.

Innocencio holding one of his Diablos

 

 

nocencio Vasquez is the inventor of the enormously popular little red devils in bars

As we mentioned before San Martin has no shortage of perros and as you roam about town you will surely walk into their turf. Here is a puppy we encountered that just wanted to say hello.

Oaxacan Puppy on Dirt Road

 

From time to time you will see the workshop tiendas open for business with a lizard or painted cactus adorning the entrance to metal doors and brightly painted walls with murals.  Or not entirely finished buildings of concrete with temporary doors.

 

Brick Concrete Block Store San Martin Under Construction

Two of the greatest painters Roberta Angeles (Left) and Maria Jimenez (Right) are the masters of the floral patterns.  While they like to tout their larger works it’s actually the smaller pieces that show off their uniquely individual pattern woven styles.  These two have inspired three generations of Oaxacan carving artists working around them.

Roberta Angeles and Maria Jimenez Ojeda in their Studios

 

Back in 2004 we were lucky to run into Isidoro Cruz who was very engaging at the time, full of humor and spirit.  He is one of the very last to use the aniline dyes which were the predecessor of Acrylic painted works.  His stories of witches, nahuals, devils, and angels seen in the area over the years is expansive. He’s a legend of his village on par with Manuel Jimenez of Arrazola and Gabino Reyes of La Union.

Isidoro Cruz holding his mask in San Martin

 

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September 21, 2016

Deep Deep Chocolate

Deep Deep Chocolate

Today!  What a delight when a new batch of Oaxacabars arrive at Port Wahakaa.  This time of year the Oaxacan chocolates are intensely potent with a deep dark intensity.  Two bars would satiate any chocolate lovers for real chocolate.  Great for Gifts!  Nothing beats real Cacao (Milk Free) Chocolate!

25 Chocolates are 11.25  Quarter Sheet
50 Chocolates are 22.00  Half Sheet
100 Chocolate are 30.00  Full Sheet

 

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September 07, 2016

Protests in Oaxaca make it difficult for the Artists

Oaxaca Street Protest Closed Teacher

While the Teachers close down many roads and make their tent city base camp in Oaxaca’s Zocalo it is the artisans that are often the ones stuck in the middle of it all.  Unable to get their wares to market and if they can the tourists are not there.

Burning Oaxaca Zocalo Fire

Some time around 2006 the Oaxaca National Coordinator of Education Workers or the 'Teachers' started coordinating large strikes and in recently have made permanent blockades of roads shutting down all kinds of commerce.  While their motives and struggle are apparent it’s the citizens who depend on tourism to sell their crafts are having an incredibly difficult time making ends meet as the protests go on year after year.

Navigating the city center is like moving around under tarps and shops that have gone out of business.  Trip Advisor has many comments regarding this on their site about the Zocalo being gloomy and intimidating.  U.S Department of State has updated their Mexico Travel Warning in January 2016 stating that foreigners are routinely held up at knifepoint and robbed in many areas of Oaxaca.  But does that stop us from getting collectors the best Oaxacan woodcarvings we can obtain at the same prices they were in 1998?  Most certainly not.  We blend in by dressing badly and walking quickly with purpose.  The people of Oaxaca are resilient and have a sense of polite stoicism.  Unfortunately, the protests have brought in many out of state elements that debase the essence of kindness and courtesy. 

Before 2006 the Zocalo resembled

Zocalo Oaxaca Before Teacher Protests

And these days resembles this

Tent Teacher Protest Zocalo Oaxaca

After ten years of dealing with these issues we thought it was time to let our collectors know the chaos that has made bringing Oaxacan Art to our gallery all the more difficult.  Shipments get delayed for months and some carving villages like La Union are on roads that are often times closed due to protests.  This has often times led to scarcity in the last two years.  Still we have an amazing selection of works to chose from and continue to make the effort to logistically get pieces no matter how many times we may fall on our faces.

The LA times did a great article on this years Guelaguetza being mostly a bust for indigenous artisans who rely on the festival to sell their wares.  This article from September 6 2016 indicates the protests are intensifying with no end in sight

While we have always strictly focused on the Oaxacan woodcarving artists we feel it is time to mention that their world around them is seeing hard times.  Makes you appreciate more than ever the work they do.

 

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August 03, 2016

See the Sea Splendor

Pacifica Copal Creations

New pieces arrived this week from Arrazola.  Amongst the splendid sea creatures are some impressive antelopes, jaguars, rams, and bulls.  These will be highly appealing for the collectors who love the finely detailed fitting in the palm of the hand works. 

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July 18, 2016

Behemoth Beach Walkers

Juming Jaibas Crab Walkers Ghost

This summer walking in the from the sandy shoals are some of the largest most colorful crabs we've seen in over two decades.  These towering alien looking jaibas of impressive stature comb the beach looking to socialize with other colorful decapods.  Very intricate and a very sublime addition to a collection.

 

 

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Dark chocolate good for the mind and body

March 29, 2016

Dark chocolate good for the mind and body

Dark Chocolate Brain Booster

Eating chocolate could help to sharpen up the mind and give a short-term boost to cognitive skills, a University of
Nottingham expert has found.  A study led by Professor Ian Macdonald found that consumption of a cocoa drink rich in
flavanols  a key ingredient of dark chocolate  boosts blood flow to key areas of the brain for two to three hours.

Increased blood flow to these areas of the brain may help to increase performance in specific tasks and boost general
alertness over a short period.The findings, unveiled at one of the biggest scientific conferences in America, also raise the
prospect of ingredients in chocolate being used to treat vascular impairment, including dementia and strokes, and thus for
maintaining cardiovascular health.

The study also suggests that the cocoa flavanols found in chocolate could be useful in enhancing brain function for people
fighting fatigue, sleep deprivation, and even the effects of ageing.

 

Our fresh micro batches of Oaxacan chocolate arrive every few weeks. 

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