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Pablo and Lucy Mendez

Pablo and Lucy Mendez

"What we enjoy the most is how real and mythical animal shapes can emerge from a simple branch. They can be so colorful and original that they appear to have had a life on another planet."

Latest Update "We are a young married couple who inherited the knowledge of carving and painting copal wood alebrijes.... Latest Update

"We are a young married couple who inherited the knowledge of carving and painting copal wood alebrijes. We have gradually perfected our technique, which we have passed down to our children.

"We have been working for some years with this incredible technique that we learned. In our community in Oaxaca, copal carving is a tradition for families.

"We have several goals, one of which is to teach and share this beautiful art in our workshop. And it's how we learn more.

"You have allowed us to export our alebrijes to any part of the world, permitting us to concentrate on the quality and inspiration we give each piece. This has led us to hire family members for wood carving.

"We also have copal tree plantations that have allowed us to preserve this beautiful tree that has given us so much, and that was facing the possibility of extinction."

Original Artisan Story

"We are best friends as well as husband and wife. Together, we carve Oaxaca's traditional alebrijes, fanciful and fantastical creatures and images crafted from found wood and painted by hand in bright colors. We project creativity, innovation and quality through our work. We believe it's important to be kind, honest and responsible when working, and we seek to improve our efforts day by day.

"Crafts are a pillar for the economy of many families in our community. These workshops are made up of grandparents, parents and their children. In our case, this craft has been handed down from generation to generation. Our parents and uncles taught us and we are now teaching our children so that this art doesn't die out.

"Striking out on our own has been a bit difficult because we've just started from the ground up. Our desire to get ahead has motivated us to improve our alebrijes and we feel that competition is good.

"To learn this craft, you need to be very dedicated and patient. Our greatest challenge is innovating to create new designs. Our inspiration comes from everything that surrounds us, like nature and those moments in life that can express a feeling.

"We use natural branches of copal wood but sometimes work in willow, cedar and zompantle. I shape the creatures and images. We treat the wood and, when a piece contains imperfections, we make a sawdust paste to fill in the gaps. I do the carving, treat the wood and polish it. Lucy creates the designs and paints the motifs.

"What we enjoy the most is how real and mythical animal shapes can emerge from a simple branch. They can be so colorful and original that they appear to have had a life on another planet. It's wonderful to see so many people appreciating a finished piece and to observe joy and surprise on their faces. This is very satisfying for us.

"We'd like for our workshop to grow little by little and be able to offer jobs to other families in our community. We want our work to be seen in other countries so that everyone can be aware of the art in our town."
33 items

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Lithe Tree Frog' - Wood Alebrije Tree Frog Sculpture from Mexico

Lithe Tree Frog, Wood Alebrije Tree Frog Sculpture from Mexico

$59.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Sweet Freedom in Blue' - Handcrafted Blue Copal Wood Dragonfly Sculpture from Mexico

Sweet Freedom in Blue, Handcrafted Blue Copal Wood Dragonfly Sculpture from Mexico

$49.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Curiosity Cousin in Green' - Handcrafted Green Wood Alebrije Playful Cat Figurine

Curiosity Cousin in Green, Handcrafted Green Wood Alebrije Playful Cat Figurine

$54.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Yellow Good Luck Cricket' - Wood Alebrije Cricket Sculpture in Yellow from Mexico

Yellow Good Luck Cricket, Wood Alebrije Cricket Sculpture in Yellow from Mexico

$57.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Little Blue Deer' - Blue Copal Wood Deer Alebrije From San Martin Tilcajete

Little Blue Deer, Blue Copal Wood Deer Alebrije From San Martin Tilcajete

$74.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Running Grace' - Wood Deer Alebrije From San Martin Tilcajete Oaxaca

Running Grace, Wood Deer Alebrije From San Martin Tilcajete Oaxaca

$74.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Curiosity Cousin in Brown' - Handcrafted Brown Wood Alebrije Playful Cat Figurine

Curiosity Cousin in Brown, Handcrafted Brown Wood Alebrije Playful Cat Figurine

$54.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Green Good Luck Cricket' - Wood Alebrije Cricket Sculpture in Green from Mexico

Green Good Luck Cricket, Wood Alebrije Cricket Sculpture in Green from Mexico

$49.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Green Tree Frog' - Handmade Wood Green Frog Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Green Tree Frog, Handmade Wood Green Frog Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

$59.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Blue Good Luck Cricket' - Wood Alebrije Cricket Sculpture in Blue from Mexico

Blue Good Luck Cricket, Wood Alebrije Cricket Sculpture in Blue from Mexico

$49.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Dainty Deer in Orange' - Hand Carved Alebrije Deer Figurine

Dainty Deer in Orange, Hand Carved Alebrije Deer Figurine

$74.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Holy Butterfly' - Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Butterfly Sculpture from Mexico

Holy Butterfly, Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Butterfly Sculpture from Mexico

$43.99 ON SALE $54.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Mystical Coyote' - Colorful Copal Wood Alebrije Coyote Figurine from Mexico

Mystical Coyote, Colorful Copal Wood Alebrije Coyote Figurine from Mexico

$110.49 ON SALE $129.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Blue Chihuahua' - Hand Painted Blue Chihuahua Alebrije

Blue Chihuahua, Hand Painted Blue Chihuahua Alebrije

$109.99

Wood bookmark, 'Reading Butterfly' - Mexican Artisan Painted Butterfly Copal Wood Bookmark

Reading Butterfly, Mexican Artisan Painted Butterfly Copal Wood Bookmark

$14.39 ON SALE $17.99

Wood alebrije statuette, 'Cricket Song' - Handcrafted Copal Wood Cricket Alebrije from Mexico

Cricket Song, Handcrafted Copal Wood Cricket Alebrije from Mexico

$49.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Dainty Deer in Grey' - Handcrafted Grey Deer Alebrije Sculpture

Dainty Deer in Grey, Handcrafted Grey Deer Alebrije Sculpture

$74.99

Wood bookmark, 'Reading Owl' - Hand Crafted Mexican Copal Wood Bookmark with Tropical Owl

Reading Owl, Hand Crafted Mexican Copal Wood Bookmark with Tropical Owl

$15.29 ON SALE $17.99

Wood ornaments, 'Jonquil Flutter' (set of 4) - Set of 4 Handcrafted Copal Wood Bird Ornaments in Jonquil

Jonquil Flutter, Set of 4 Handcrafted Copal Wood Bird Ornaments in Jonquil

$47.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Perky Red Parrot' - Handmade Red Parrot Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

Perky Red Parrot, Handmade Red Parrot Alebrije Sculpture from Mexico

$289.99

Wood alebrije statuette, 'Magnificent Pegasus' - Handcrafted Alebrije Wood Pegasus Statuette from Mexico

Magnificent Pegasus, Handcrafted Alebrije Wood Pegasus Statuette from Mexico

$274.99

Wood bookmark, 'Reading Cat' - Teal and Pink Cat-Themed Copal Wood Bookmark from Mexico

Reading Cat, Teal and Pink Cat-Themed Copal Wood Bookmark from Mexico

$17.99

Wood bookmark, 'Reading Quetzal' - Handmade Multicolor Copal Wood Bookmark with Mexican Quetzal

Reading Quetzal, Handmade Multicolor Copal Wood Bookmark with Mexican Quetzal

$15.29 ON SALE $17.99

Wood ornaments, 'Kiwi Flutter' (set of 4) - Set of 4 Handcrafted Copal Wood Bird Ornaments in Kiwi

Kiwi Flutter, Set of 4 Handcrafted Copal Wood Bird Ornaments in Kiwi

$39.99

Wood ornaments, 'Carmine Flutter' (set of 4) - Set of 4 Handcrafted Copal Wood Bird Ornaments in Carmine

Carmine Flutter, Set of 4 Handcrafted Copal Wood Bird Ornaments in Carmine

$37.99

Wood bookmark, 'Reading Flamingo' - Hand-Painted Pink Flamingo Copal Wood Bookmark from Oaxaca

Reading Flamingo, Hand-Painted Pink Flamingo Copal Wood Bookmark from Oaxaca

$14.99

Wood alebrije statuette, 'Chirping Cricket' - Handcrafted Copal Wood Cricket Alebrije from Mexico

Chirping Cricket, Handcrafted Copal Wood Cricket Alebrije from Mexico

$54.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Shimmering Fish' - Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Fish Figurine from Mexico

Shimmering Fish, Hand-Painted Wood Alebrije Fish Figurine from Mexico

$54.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Curiosity Cousin in White' - Handcrafted White Wood Alebrije Playful Cat Figurine

Curiosity Cousin in White, Handcrafted White Wood Alebrije Playful Cat Figurine

$54.99

Wood bookmark, 'Reading Bird' - Handmade Mexican Copal Wood Bookmark with Tropical Bird

Reading Bird, Handmade Mexican Copal Wood Bookmark with Tropical Bird

$17.99

Wood alebrije figurine, 'Fascinating Fish' - Colorful Wood Alebrije Fish Figurine from Mexico

Fascinating Fish, Colorful Wood Alebrije Fish Figurine from Mexico

$50.99 ON SALE $59.99

Wood napkin holder, 'Flowering Tradition' - Hand-Painted Copal Wood Napkin Holder from Mexico

Flowering Tradition, Hand-Painted Copal Wood Napkin Holder from Mexico

$44.99

Wood alebrije sculpture, 'Sweet Freedom in Pink' - Handcrafted Pink Copal Wood Dragonfly Sculpture from Mexico

Sweet Freedom in Pink, Handcrafted Pink Copal Wood Dragonfly Sculpture from Mexico

$42.49 ON SALE $49.99

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