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.

Chainsaw Wood Carvings - A Unique Gift Idea

Chainsaw wood carvings are quite a spectacle when crafted by an accomplished and skilled chainsaw carver. Chainsaw carvings offer everything from smaller, cute "doorway" welcomers like bears and other woodland animals to five and ten footers that take your breath away. But it's more than just a unique and eye-appealing landscaping addition, wood carvings are also a unique and cherished gift.

Raccoons, skunks, turtles and bears are just a few of the more natural carvings you can get, and if you're looking for something a little more contemporary or niche, some even opt to have custom carvings of characters. Yep, that's right - most times you can commission the creation of a pop culture character, like Mickey Mouse or other cartoon characters.

What Exactly is Chainsaw Carving?

Chainsaw carvings are the creation of artistic pieces through the use of large chunks of wood - usually from the trunks of trees that have been cut into larger pieces of log are molded into a specific shape through the use of various sized chainsaws and chainsaw blades. The blades used vary in their degree of precision and detail. In short, a chainsaw carver is comparative to a sculptor, only their tool is a chainsaw and their supplies are natural wood rather than plaster or clay.

This type of art is not just limited to art pieces, but also branches into the realm of unique, custom made furniture that is both rustic and practical. An accomplished carver has the ability to create pieces relatively quickly and as a carver becomes more experienced, their level of detail becomes more advanced. Take for example a chainsaw carver that I happen to know. The pieces she creates look like something that could not have possibly been molded by human hands. That's how good they are.

Not only that, the level of detail in her pieces - ranging from eagles that are a couple of feet high to bears that are only a foot or two - is so sharp and well defined, you'd swear these carvings could not have been made with a chainsaw. But indeed they are.

Usually after the actual carving is complete, the wood is coated with a few protective layers of a polyurethane type of substance, and depending on the customer's request,

it may also be painted with color paint. The coating is necessary to ensure it can withstand weathering and biodegrading.

While most people choose carvings that are free standing and moveable, there are also site carving services available. Site carvings are where a chainsaw carver actually comes to the home and carves an art piece of the homeowner's choice out of a tree that has been partially cut down, or cut down and has left a stump.

Most people make this choice because the carving is a great way to cover up an otherwise unsightly tree stump, as well as to add a conversation piece (which it certainly always becomes) to their yard which will become a permanent piece of their landscape for years to come. Only problem with this is that you probably can't take it with you if you move!

Oaxacan Wood Carvings, A Tale of Two Villages

We are often asked about the history of Oaxacan Wood Carvings. As with many aspects of Mexican culture, the origins of these colorful, collectible creatures are fused with myths and facts. The following is an account that is as accurate as possible from a world where history is verbal more often than written.

For centuries, the poor in Mexico have used organic materials to fashion tools, utensils, religious artifacts and toys. So begins the story of Oaxacan Wood Carvings.

In the valley of Oaxaca, there are two rural villages, Arrazola located 30 minutes outside the city of Oaxaca in the shadows of Monte Alban, and San Martin Tilcajete located 45 minutes on the opposite side of Oaxaca. Both have become renowned for their highly collectible wood carvings. The history of how Oaxacan Wood Carvings became part of Mexico's heritage of popular art, centers on two men, Manual Jimenez, a farmer in Arrazola and Epifanio Fuentes, a farmer in San Martin Tilcajete.

Manuel Jimenez began carving as a young man developing his skill and using his imagination to create religious figures and toys. As with many rural farmers, Manuel tried many occupations in addition to farming: cane cutter, barber, musician, and carver. He experimented with a number of woods and discovered a native brush wood, copalillo, to be perfect for his creations. After having carved for many years and trying to sell his wares in Oaxaca and Monte Alban, he was finally "discovered" by the American folk art collector, Arthur Train who was captivated by his work. Train helped promote Manuel's career by selling his wood carvings at his store in Oaxaca. In the 1970's important collectors like Nelson Rockefeller and folk art museums purchased the work of Manuel Jimenez thereby establishing Manuel's reputation. Just a few years ago, Manual Jimenez, then in his 80's, passed away, leaving his folk art legacy to his sons, Isaias and Angelico. Both worked side by side with Manuel for years as students and later assuming the role of painting and carving Manuel's designs.

At about the same, Epifanio Fuentes, was also becoming known in folk art circles for his enchanting carved angels, signature pieces which he still produces today. Epifanio learned to carve from his father, a farmer, and used his skills to add to the farming income, as many carvers continue to do today. Eventually, Epifanio taught his wife to paint, and later his children to carve and paint creating a true family cottage industry. Several of the Fuentes sons, Zeni and Efrain in particular, enjoy international notoriety as skilled artisans.

Today, both villages have many talented carvers and painters each with their own unique style. Wood carving has improved the lives of these villagers as evidenced by newly paved roads, new schools, street lights and the prevalence of cell phones, none of which existed even 15 years ago.

Make Money From Wood Carvings, Without You Carving Anything

Wood carvings have always been popular. Most people, who have ever been to countries such as Indonesia, or the Philippines, will have seen them being made by hand. The talented craftsmen sitting cross-legged on the floor, chipping away at a piece of wood, until they have created an animal, person's head, or other wonderful piece of wood carving. These unique one-offs always seem far more special than anything we could make. Then, one day, you visit a craft shop back home, and see a shelf filled with identical wood carvings. How do they get them all to look the same? Surely, one craftsman cannot be that precise each time? Well, no, they can't. The secret behind this mass-production is a wood-carving machine. This is where you can set up your own lucrative business, making woodcarvings, without having to lift a single carving tool yourself.

The wood carving machines take one wood carving, and make identical copies. The way they work is almost magical. The original carving is literally traced by the machine, and it carves a second copy as it goes. That original carving, that costs two hundred bucks, say, then becomes two. The opportunities are endless. You can make as many copies, of any wooden carving, as you want to. Each one is identical to the first, and can therefore be sold for the same amount of money. Wooden seats for stools, wooden book ends, wooden Christmas tree decorations, and anything else that you can find, can all be duplicated in the same amount of detail as the original.

The only outlay that you need to make is for the machine, and the wood. Some of these wood carving machines can be found, second-hand, on sale for as little as a couple of hundred bucks. So, if you made a copy of a carving that originally sold for $200, you could sell the second one for the same amount of money and have recovered the cost of buying the wood carving machine with only one carving! The wood that you use can also be any type that you can find. You can even find wood for free. A lot of people have trees in their gardens that they do not want anymore, and have them cut down. Quite often, the trunk is then chopped up for fire wood. However, if you get in touch with a person who you know has just had a tree taken down; you can probably get some of the wood before it has been chopped up into smaller pieces. They will be glad that you take it off their hands, and probably not want any money for it. It is worth getting in touch with your local tree surgeons, or other companies that actually cut down the trees, and see if they can get hold of the wood for you cheaply.

Before you know it, you will be creating wood carvings that are every bit as good as the original hand-carved ones, and building a nice little business out of it that you can expand massively!

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.

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.

Types of Chinese Wood Carvings

Do you know Chinese wood carvings? I guess the answer may be "No". Because speaking of it, people will think of the examples from Italy and France naturally, as their classic furniture which noted for exquisite handcraft is leading in this line. This is why I want to introduce Chinese carvings and show you its unique technique and artistic style.

The earliest Chinese wood carving can be traced back from primitive society period. It had been flourishing in Ming and Qing dynasty. When it comes to the contemporary era, it reaches to a summit, four major types have been formed during the development. They are Dongyang, Huangyang, Longan and Jinqi wood carving.

Dongyang carving has been reputed as one of the best folk handicrafts and a national treasure, as one of the four major types of wood carving in China. Its rich and sophisticated techniques of expression give products a gorgeous feeling. It produced a large number of works, including Buddha sculptures, ornamental architectural components designed for palaces, temples, gardens, and folk houses. Most of the carving themes are derived from the historical stories and folk legends.

Dongyang carving is known as its origin, while Huangyang carving is famous for its precious wood--boxwood. Boxwood grows up slowly, perfect for making small display products, which characters are mostly from Chinese folk myths and legends, such as Eight-immortals, Guan Yin, Shou Xing, etc. Those works look vividly both in appearance and expression.

Longan carving also got its name from materials. It usually uses the root of longan wood, and is famous for simple, natural and elegant outlook. Comparing with Longan carving, Jinqi carving shows more about magnificent artistic effect through delicate carving, painting and gilding.

I write so much about the type of Chinese wood carvings, I hope you will like it and Chin see solid wood furniture.

Native American Indian Art Wood Carvings of the Pacific Northwest

Native American Indian art in the American southwest is dominated by the magnificent pottery and jewelry in the region. When it comes to the Pacific Northwest region which covers the states of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia (Canada) and the southern part of Alaska, the Native American art here is mostly wood carvings. This is not surprising since unlike the southwest desert, the Pacific Northwest is abundant with forests which have provided the wood as raw material for the region's Native American Indian art.

The wood carvings of the Pacific Northwest Native American art come in many different forms. The huge totem poles which are carved on entire tree trunks are probably the most famous. Certainly the most common form of contemporary Pacific Northwest Native American art is the plaque wood carving. The entire range of Pacific Northwest Native American Indian art subjects including eagles, ravens, thunderbirds, bears, killer whales and salmons are carved as plaques to be hung on the wall. A more complex project and usually higher priced would be the masks which are also carved out of wood. The Pacific Northwest Native American artists make some of the most striking aboriginal masks in the world.

Creative artists and carvers from this region have also used wood to carve out bowls, paddles, rattles and boxes which are all expertly decorated with Pacific Northwest Native American Indian designs. Some carvers have even carved more day to day objects such as letter openers out of wood again decorated with the region's Native motifs. Although not restricting themselves to just wood, the Pacific Northwest Native American artists also do art prints, paintings and precious metal jewelry but overall wood is still the most common material used in their artwork.

The Pacific Northwest style of Native American Indian art is still unknown to many parts of North America and the rest of the world but this will definitely change as the 2010 winter Olympics in British Columbia approaches. The world will see British Columbia and as visitors to this Canadian province have already noticed, there are fine examples of Pacific Northwest Native American Indian art everywhere one goes in the west coast of Canada.