Oaxaca Wood Carvings - Explored

Oaxacan wood carvings are meticulously carved whimsical & stylized figures that have taken the art world by storm in recent decades. The most noticeable aspect that they all share is the amazingly bright, almost cartoon like colors that each one is painted with.

Oaxacan Wood Carvings - From Oaxaca Mexico

Authentic works of this type are produced using traditional tools and only in the small rural villages that are sprinkled along the Oaxacan Valley of Southern Mexico. Also traditionally they have been carved from the Copal wood that grows in abundance in the region.

Now Using Modern Paints that Don't Fade

However; in recent years some artists have began to import harder, non domestic varieties of wood. Copal wood you see, is soft. Another change from tradition that virtually all artists of the region have adapted to, is a switch to is a switch from hand made traditional coloring agents, to modern paints that don't fade.

The Sky is the Limit

The sky really is the limit to what you will find artists spending sometimes up to three days carving. Hence; it's pretty much impossible to stereotype just what these sculptures look like. However; each artist will tend to have distinctive unique features that can be seen in their finished works.

The Rising Popularity of Mexican Art

Mexican art in general has become increasingly popular with serious collectors in the last couple of decades, both for its beauty, as well its viability as an investment. The artists and talent have always been there but the remote locations of many villages meant that in the past, only a select few travelers ever knew about it.

Beautiful and Viable as an Investment

All that has changed though, as demand now tends to outstrip supply, as avid collectors clamor to add onto their collections. Even so, as investment grade art goes, Oaxacan wood carvings tend to be some of the more affordable, with many pieces falling in the $100 to $200 price range.