A couple of weeks ago an artist came to Lakeside from Tonala to show his work. I saw this mask and was intrigued. The face is made of clay and the teeth come from a cow; the hair is from a horse's tail. It is beautifully painted. His eyebrows, a lizard perched on his massive nose as well as his lips are in high relief. The colors are extraordinarily vivid.
This mask is made to be worn in festivals. The hair is sewn onto a kind of woven rush cap which fits over the head of the wearer. In fact, it fits my face perfectly; as if made for me so of course I just had to buy it.
Many of the designs of masks made in Mexico come from the dreams (or nightmares) of the maker. They can represent evil as well as benevolent entities meant to drive away devils by their scary looks.
I had no intention of buying anything on this 3 day 2 night trip but alas, I just couldn't resist interesting artesania. I found some lovely things from Ocumicho that are made of low-fired clay, hence they break quite easily. But we managed to get them home without breakage. A miracle, I think!
The first three are from Ochumicho; an intriguing, moving carousel with six figures riding around the central pole. The only thing missing is calliope.
Then fantasmic bug like no other on earth. I just love their creativity.
Then a mask with a devil man and woman hanging off the horns. Where do they get their ideas?
Next is a stylized squirrel from Cocucho. Pots and animals made in Cocucho are called Cocuchas as they are usually made by the women--even the huge pots that are 5 ft. tall.
The last is a new Catrina. The artist said that the government sent teachers to her town of Capula to teach the women to make Catrinas with paper-covered dresses glued down. They use printed paper napkins at about $9US a pack of 10 luncheon size. Pretty expensive considering she sold me the Catrina for $19US. I think this new design will be quite popular and should sell rather well.
Went to the Ajijic Society of Artists annual juried show on Monday night. The crowd was huge and they had money--just the thing an artist likes to see! I bought two pieces of art by local artists. The first is of the tianguis and is done in watercolor and pen.
Here's the closeup to show the fine detail of the painting--I love it.
>This one is entitled "Ventedor de la Playa" or "The Beach Vendor". It's done in pastel; you must look closely to see the water toy and balloon vendor at all.
These two works of art are so representational of the real Mexico that I just fell in love with both of them. And when I can't decide which one to buy, you know what happens . . .
