All About Oaxaca Wood Carvings

One of the hottest new trends today in the world of investment grade art, is Oaxaca wood carvings. Delicately carved, sanded and painted sculptures made from the wood of the Copal tree that flourishes in the hillsides of the Oaxaca Valley of Southern Mexico.

A Way of Life for Generations

Carving with basic tools has been a way of life for generations in this isolated region of the planet where things like childrens toys and home decorations were always whittled from the soft Copal wood. However; beginning in the early seventies, a new far more progressive art style began to evolve.

A New Style of Oaxaca Wood Carvings Evolved

A few talented wood carvers with names like Manual Jimenez began to create experimental brightly colored animated and expressive works that were painted in bright bold colors. Over time, as these artists worked in their isolated villages, a complete new style of sculpture evolved.

Wide Recognition North of the Border

Of course it wasn't long until occasional travelers who happened to venture off the beaten path began to come across and become smitten by Oaxaca wood carvings. However; it would take a couple of decades more before they would begin to receive wider recognition north of the border.

Quirky Whimsical and Often Comical

As it stands today, these quirky, whimsical and often comical wooden sculptures are sought after by avid collectors around the globe and especially in the US, Canada and Europe. The result of this uptick in popularity, is that today demand often outstrips supply. Particularly with regards to high end creations of the most notable artists.

Proving to be a Viable Art Investment

Oaxaca wood carvings have also proven to be a viable investment, as an art niche market. Also unlike other styles of investment grade art and sculpture that require large amounts of money to get started in, these works are actually quite affordable.

A Few Things About Wooden Furniture

One of the most used materials in furniture construction is wood. This may be due to easy handling and the fact that wood is abundant. Wood is also available in different colors and textures; these features allow a piece of furniture to be made entirely out of wood. To add on top of that, wood can also be used in succession with other materials such as metal, stone, aluminum, brass etc. Whichever combination is used, there is little deviation from the process of making normal wooden items. 

 

The most important factor in the process of making wooden furniture is the humidity; the humidity of the raw material is required to be below 10 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, it will get fungus and will ruin the furniture completely. The staining process of the furniture is another factor to look out for. If it is not done properly it will come off easily and destroy the whole item. It will also not be as strong as it should be with good staining. There are two methods in the production of wooden furniture. The first method is using machinery, which is available in fully or semi automated. The second method is wood carving and handicrafts; small, handheld tools are normally used for the job. Though there is a big market for handmade items; due to intense labor requirements, the final production costs are a bit too expensive to adopt in large scale production.

 

The most commonly used types of wood are beech, birch, oak, rubber wood, Chinese hardwood, acacia, maple, pine, redwood, rosewood, walnut and teak. Each type of wood has its own property and uses. Pine, beech, birch and rubber wood are used for indoor and oak, hardwood and teak are good for outdoor use. An example would be teak wood, while it can be used in the outdoors or indoors it is expensive.

 

The coating process for wooden furniture differs depending on whether the furniture is for indoor or outdoor use. While normal varnishing and staining procedures are good enough for indoor furniture; outdoor furniture require additional coating made for outdoor purposes to be applied on the furniture. Otherwise, it will be useless on such extreme weather condition outside.

 

The popularity of wood as furniture material will definitely last, as it is not only vast in variety and availability but also light in weight; which makes it easier to handle than most other materials. Wood is also quite durable for its value in money. That fact alone guarantees its popularity for time to come.

All About Oaxaca Wood Carvings

One of the hottest new trends today in the world of investment grade art, is Oaxaca wood carvings. Delicately carved, sanded and painted sculptures made from the wood of the Copal tree that flourishes in the hillsides of the Oaxaca Valley of Southern Mexico.

A Way of Life for Generations

Carving with basic tools has been a way of life for generations in this isolated region of the planet where things like childrens toys and home decorations were always whittled from the soft Copal wood. However; beginning in the early seventies, a new far more progressive art style began to evolve.

A New Style of Oaxaca Wood Carvings Evolved

A few talented wood carvers with names like Manual Jimenez began to create experimental brightly colored animated and expressive works that were painted in bright bold colors. Over time, as these artists worked in their isolated villages, a complete new style of sculpture evolved.

Wide Recognition North of the Border

Of course it wasn't long until occasional travelers who happened to venture off the beaten path began to come across and become smitten by Oaxaca wood carvings. However; it would take a couple of decades more before they would begin to receive wider recognition north of the border.

Quirky Whimsical and Often Comical

As it stands today, these quirky, whimsical and often comical wooden sculptures are sought after by avid collectors around the globe and especially in the US, Canada and Europe. The result of this uptick in popularity, is that today demand often outstrips supply. Particularly with regards to high end creations of the most notable artists.

Proving to be a Viable Art Investment

Oaxaca wood carvings have also proven to be a viable investment, as an art niche market. Also unlike other styles of investment grade art and sculpture that require large amounts of money to get started in, these works are actually quite affordable.