Carving Copal Wood at the Workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles Ojeda
In this video, we visit the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles in San Martin Tilcajete located in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Angeles are traditional artisans who create small wooden carvings known as alebrijes. These sculptures are a family affair and all members of the Angeles family contribute to the carving and painting process.
Among the craft villages creating alebrijes, those from San Martin Tilcajete are considered to be among the finest. These works of art are mythical creatures with origins traceable to ancient Mexican religious beliefs, represented by a variety of animal and human features and are thought to embody the spirit of some god or protective power. To make the wood carvings, seasoned wood from the copalillo tree is cut in short lengths. The twisted branches inspire the artists imagination. Forms are roughed out with machetes then refined with rudimentary pocket knives. A small figure might take 5 hours to carve while a larger piece 30 inches or more could take 3 days. The figure is sanded smooth, treated and thoroughly dried before painting. Over the base coat, patterns of intricate brushstrokes and dots are applied. A maguey cactus thorn is sometimes used to jab up to two or three thousand dots per figure. Each piece is unique in size, color and design, and meticulously created by hand.
Excerpt adapted from:
Wood Carving Tools of the Workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles Ojeda
In this video, we visit the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles in San Martin Tilcajete located in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Angeles are traditional artisans who create small wooden carvings known as alebrijes. These sculptures are a family affair and all members of the Angeles family contribute to the carving and painting process.
Among the craft villages creating alebrijes, those from San Martin Tilcajete are considered to be among the finest. These works of art are mythical creatures with origins traceable to ancient Mexican religious beliefs, represented by a variety of animal and human features and are thought to embody the spirit of some god or protective power. To make the wood carvings, seasoned wood from the copalillo tree is cut in short lengths. The twisted branches inspire the artists imagination. Forms are roughed out with machetes then refined with rudimentary pocket knives. A small figure might take 5 hours to carve while a larger piece 30 inches or more could take 3 days. The figure is sanded smooth, treated and thoroughly dried before painting. Over the base coat, patterns of intricate brushstrokes and dots are applied. A maguey cactus thorn is sometimes used to jab up to two or three thousand dots per figure. Each piece is unique in size, color and design, and meticulously created by hand.
Excerpt adapted from:
Nahuals (Spirit Beings) Figurines at the Wood Carving Workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles Ojeda
In this video, we visit the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles in San Martin Tilcajete located in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Angeles are traditional artisans who create small wooden carvings known as alebrijes. These sculptures are a family affair and all members of the Angeles family contribute to the carving and painting process.
Among the craft villages creating alebrijes, those from San Martin Tilcajete are considered to be among the finest. These works of art are mythical creatures with origins traceable to ancient Mexican religious beliefs, represented by a variety of animal and human features and are thought to embody the spirit of some god or protective power. To make the wood carvings, seasoned wood from the copalillo tree is cut in short lengths. The twisted branches inspire the artists imagination. Forms are roughed out with machetes then refined with rudimentary pocket knives. A small figure might take 5 hours to carve while a larger piece 30 inches or more could take 3 days. The figure is sanded smooth, treated and thoroughly dried before painting. Over the base coat, patterns of intricate brushstrokes and dots are applied. A maguey cactus thorn is sometimes used to jab up to two or three thousand dots per figure. Each piece is unique in size, color and design, and meticulously created by hand.
Excerpt adapted from:
Finalizing Nahual Figurines at the Wood Carving Workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles Ojeda
In this video, we visit the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles in San Martin Tilcajete located in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Angeles are traditional artisans who create small wooden carvings known as alebrijes. These sculptures are a family affair and all members of the Angeles family contribute to the carving and painting process.
Among the craft villages creating alebrijes, those from San Martin Tilcajete are considered to be among the finest. These works of art are mythical creatures with origins traceable to ancient Mexican religious beliefs, represented by a variety of animal and human features and are thought to embody the spirit of some god or protective power. To make the wood carvings, seasoned wood from the copalillo tree is cut in short lengths. The twisted branches inspire the artists imagination. Forms are roughed out with machetes then refined with rudimentary pocket knives. A small figure might take 5 hours to carve while a larger piece 30 inches or more could take 3 days. The figure is sanded smooth, treated and thoroughly dried before painting. Over the base coat, patterns of intricate brushstrokes and dots are applied. A maguey cactus thorn is sometimes used to jab up to two or three thousand dots per figure. Each piece is unique in size, color and design, and meticulously created by hand.
Excerpt adapted from:
Drying Nahual Figures at the Wood Carving Workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles Ojeda
In this video, we visit the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles in San Martin Tilcajete located in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Angeles are traditional artisans who create small wooden carvings known as alebrijes. These sculptures are a family affair and all members of the Angeles family contribute to the carving and painting process.
Among the craft villages creating alebrijes, those from San Martin Tilcajete are considered to be among the finest. These works of art are mythical creatures with origins traceable to ancient Mexican religious beliefs, represented by a variety of animal and human features and are thought to embody the spirit of some god or protective power. To make the wood carvings, seasoned wood from the copalillo tree is cut in short lengths. The twisted branches inspire the artists imagination. Forms are roughed out with machetes then refined with rudimentary pocket knives. A small figure might take 5 hours to carve while a larger piece 30 inches or more could take 3 days. The figure is sanded smooth, treated and thoroughly dried before painting. Over the base coat, patterns of intricate brushstrokes and dots are applied. A maguey cactus thorn is sometimes used to jab up to two or three thousand dots per figure. Each piece is unique in size, color and design, and meticulously created by hand.
Excerpt adapted from:
Copal Wood used at the Wood Carving Workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles Ojeda
In this video, we visit the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles in San Martin Tilcajete located in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Angeles are traditional artisans who create small wooden carvings known as alebrijes. These sculptures are a family affair and all members of the Angeles family contribute to the carving and painting process.
Among the craft villages creating alebrijes, those from San Martin Tilcajete are considered to be among the finest. These works of art are mythical creatures with origins traceable to ancient Mexican religious beliefs, represented by a variety of animal and human features and are thought to embody the spirit of some god or protective power. To make the wood carvings, seasoned wood from the copalillo tree is cut in short lengths. The twisted branches inspire the artists imagination. Forms are roughed out with machetes then refined with rudimentary pocket knives. A small figure might take 5 hours to carve while a larger piece 30 inches or more could take 3 days. The figure is sanded smooth, treated and thoroughly dried before painting. Over the base coat, patterns of intricate brushstrokes and dots are applied. A maguey cactus thorn is sometimes used to jab up to two or three thousand dots per figure. Each piece is unique in size, color and design, and meticulously created by hand.
Excerpt adapted from:
Jacobo & María Ángeles
Jacobo & María Ängeles
The artist who inspired the Oscar-Winning film Coco by Disney Pixar
Del Taller de Jacobo y María Ángeles en San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca. 1/4
The first explanation is about the wood carving process. First minutes I forgot to put correctly the camera.
La primera explicación es sobre la talla de madera. Los primeros minutos puse la cámara en posición equivocada.
Making Natural Paint Colors at the Wood Carving Workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles Ojeda
In this video, we visit the workshop of Jacobo and Maria Angeles in San Martin Tilcajete located in Oaxaca, Mexico. The Angeles are traditional artisans who create small wooden carvings known as alebrijes. These sculptures are a family affair and all members of the Angeles family contribute to the carving and painting process.
Among the craft villages creating alebrijes, those from San Martin Tilcajete are considered to be among the finest. These works of art are mythical creatures with origins traceable to ancient Mexican religious beliefs, represented by a variety of animal and human features and are thought to embody the spirit of some god or protective power. To make the wood carvings, seasoned wood from the copalillo tree is cut in short lengths. The twisted branches inspire the artists imagination. Forms are roughed out with machetes then refined with rudimentary pocket knives. A small figure might take 5 hours to carve while a larger piece 30 inches or more could take 3 days. The figure is sanded smooth, treated and thoroughly dried before painting. Over the base coat, patterns of intricate brushstrokes and dots are applied. A maguey cactus thorn is sometimes used to jab up to two or three thousand dots per figure. Each piece is unique in size, color and design, and meticulously created by hand.
Excerpt adapted from:
Trayectoria Jacobo y María Ángeles
Sobre la vida y obra de los maestros Jacobo & María Ángeles.
Art Talks with Jacobo & María Angeles
Oaxaca, Mexico's cultural art and history are coming to Dallas! Mercado369 is proud to launch its free Art Talks series with internationally renowned artisans Jacobo and María Angeles. Come visit us to learn about their fascinating life journey dedicated to creating the colorful, wood carved animals popularly known as alebrijes, one of Oaxaca's oldest artisanal traditions. RSVP now at for this complimentary, exclusive event!
San Martín TILCAJETE Jacobo y María Sánchez PEDALEANDO CON TU COMUNIDAD
ENTREVISTA A JACOBO ANGELES
Entrevista al maestro artesano Jacobo Angeles.
TALLER DE ALEBRIJES JACOBO Y MARÍA ÁNGELES
ES UNA PEQUEÑA ENTREVISTA QUE SE LE REALIZO AL EMPRESARIO JACOBO PROPIETARIO DEL TALLER DE ALEBRIJES EN EL ESTADO DE OAXACA JACOBO Y MARÍA ÁNGELES
PROYECTO Jacobo & María Ángeles
Les compartimos nuestro sueño.
Jacobo & María Ángeles
El taller de Jacobo y María
En San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca, estos artesanos trabajan con madera, tradición y cultura ancestral.
Presentación del Libro de Jacobo y María y Ángeles
Agradecimientos Jacobo y María Ángeles
Jacobo y María Ángeles
Les queremos agradecer por ser parte de esta gran familia, gracias a todos nuestros colaboradores, a nuestros alumnos y a nuestros visitantes, a todos aquellos quienes están en este camino con nosotros.
Visita nuestros sitios:
La inspiración de Coco (Disney PIXAR) / El taller de Jacobo Ángeles
Jacobo Ángeles, de la imaginación al alebrije
Este material es el registro de la participación del artesano Jacobo Ángeles, en el ciclo de conferencias, Oaxaca: Nuestro patrimonio cultural, en la cual se ofreció la ponencia San Martín Tilcajete, imaginación plasmada en figuras zapotecas, actividad organizada por el Centro de Capacitación Turística de la Universidad de Mar, en la ciudad de Oaxaca.
00:20 El origen de Jacobo Ángeles
05:15 Salsa picante y La Tortuga
07:20 Arte de Oaxaca y los Alebrijes
09:40 Sus reconocimientos y premios
13:46 La reforestación del copal en San Martín Tilcajete
14:54 La creación del Alebrije