The adorable Maria in her studio; photo circa 2003.  

Maria Jimenez

Maria and her cousins are a hidden treasure of the Oaxaca valley's art carvers and painters. Although they don't live very far out of town, they remain a relaitvely undiscovered and under-appreciated family.

Maria is, relatively speaking, a miniaturist. Her works are very finely carved and painted, and her signature is so small that it may require a magnifying glass! The animals are smallish to medium sized, but the flowers and other designs will inspire a closer inspection. She is best known for her angles, which have a very distinct family air to them.

Maria does do larger scale works, however, when so inspired. We have recently seen a monumental, multi-piece carving of the Virgin of Guadalupe appearing in the countryside before the farmer and his herd. Each piece, and the countryside itself was an object of the extreme care Maria always uses in her artwork. I found this ensemble especially moving (testifying publicly to this quiet and demeure woman's great faith) when one considers the size of most of her other pieces.

Maria's cousins, Aaron and Candido, share the same workshop space, but their carving styles and brushwork are easily differentiated. Candido makes dogs and cats with humourous facial expressions (such as the Dr. Seuss - like cat in the pictures below). Aaron is of coure monumental in his own way. The big pig is pretty close to life-sized and to actual-weight for a baby or infant pig.

Wild Wood Art Cafe proudly displays the work of this fine family of artists.

Click on images to view larger size.