Monday, April 29, 2013

NEVER a dull moment! Road Work in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico


At the beginning of last week, as I left to walk down the hill, I saw workers at the end of the street.
Uh oh, now what?  THEN on Friday, this is what happened!

Recobbling - which means taking up the rocks, moving the dirt around and either putting in new
rocks or the same ones.  This photo is taken from my roof terrace so you can tell it was and IS
right outside my door.

My quiet little corner of the world has not been quiet today.
There is a machine, that I would call a bulldozer, out next to my house going up and down the hill
carrying dirt and rocks.

I've never seen this many workers on a project.
The supervisor is a young woman named Amanda.
She told me this would all be over by Tuesday, April 30th.

This is a time that it is good the school is across from me.  I think that is why they
are hurrying because it is so disruptive to the school.  FINALLY, they have
put in a sidewalk for the kids to walk on rather then on the road.  Improvements,
after the dust!
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Saturday, April 27, 2013

The LAST Post on Items for Sale in the Great Mexican Folkart Sale - May 4th


This is the closed box of the Day of the Dead toy that has the skeleton that rises up from the coffin.
 
These painted ladies are part of the Mexican folkart culture.  Usually you find them in small sizes.
But, Leticia, is about 18" high.  (I have her other earring and need to put it on)  She is made by Martin Lemus of Celaya, Gto, Mexico.  Price 800 pesos or $64USD

The Village of Tenancingo is one of the main villages to go to for beautifully loomed and fringed rebozos.  The more fringe the greater the rebozo.  I purchased this in Tenancingo about 8 years ago.
The hand looming is exquisitely fine and the fringe work is very beautiful.
Price 1000 pesos or $80USD  SOLD

In my estimation, this is the piece de resistance of the sale.  It is an exquisitely hand loomed dress
made by the Amuzgo people. They are considered the finest weavers in Mexico.  They live in Oaxaca and Guerreo.  This was made in Guerreo.

Made on a backstrap loom and then hand embroidered.  This dress took from 4 to 5 months to make.

This dress shows the inside of the dress and how beautifully the embroidery work was accomplished.

Just finding these dresses is difficult.  The artisans will be in Santa Fe, NM Folk Art Show in August.
There these dresses will be well, well over $1000USD.

One size fits all.  Price 6300 pesos or $500USD.

This is it.  There will be much more at the sale and a lot has not been photographed.  If you go back through the previous posts, you can see what has sold already.

If you're interested in anything whether you're in the USA or Mexico, please contact me at the blog and we can make arrangements for your purchases.

Thanks for taking the time to look at all the things I have loved collecting over the last twelve years or so.
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Friday, April 26, 2013

Jicapextles For Sale - Mexican Folk Art Sale


As I've mentioned before, I have collected for at least thirty years.  The hardest thing to form a collection of were these Jicapextles.  They are treasured by Oaxacan women.  They are worn on the
head in certain ceremonies and processions.  They are filled with flowers and other treasures.
During Guelaguetza there are several dances performed with the women wearing these on their heads.SOLD

All but three of the total collection are old.  Especially the largest one which is 14 inches in circumference.  The three above are nine inch, ten inch and nine inch. SOLD

The photo above includes, from left to right, 8", 10", 14", 10" and 8".
The total of all nine is offered at the price of 5500 pesos or $440 USD.  A steal! SOLD

In the Great Masters book that shows some of the leading Artists of Mexico, Gumercindo from Juventino is listed.  His toys are enchanting as is his cartoneria.  This catrina makes me smile
every morning when I go into the kitchen for my morning coffee. Dimension - 42"h x 19" wide.
Price - 3000 pesos or $240 dollars   She is "one of a kind".

Catrinas are not the specialty of Adrian Luis Gonzales.  He too is featured in the Great Masters book.
Born in 1939, his work making Trees of Life is classic in more muted tones.  His trees of life were in the thousands of US dollars so I purchased something that was not typical.  This man and woman catrinas.  Dimensions 29"h x 12" wide   Price - 2500 pesos or $200USD  SOLD

Irma Blanco of Oaxaca works in a unique style of clay.  I met her along with other Great Masters at Lake Chapala a few years ago.  I've admired her work since the 80's.  What a gracious lady.
Dimension - 8" high  Price 500 pesos or $40 USD - (Slight chip on one side).

A small Tree of Life by Adrian Luis Gonzales.
Dimension  - 7" high     Price 750 pesos or $60USD

Small Candleabra from Izucar de Matamoros
Dimension  9 1/2"High    Price 250 pesos - $20 USD

If you are interested in seeing and purchasing these magnificent folk art pieces prior to the sale on Saturday May 4th, please comment here on the blog and I will contact you.

One more post of photos of items for sale and then we'll be back to the "banter of the blog"!
Thanks for looking.
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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Mexican Folkart and Outsider Art For Sale - Part 3


There has been a great response to these postings.  A few things have already
been sold!  Moving on to a clear path, ha.
Above is a Judas devil cartoneria character.  Have never seen another one like him
in all my travels.  Probably made in Celaya.  Feet are a little worn. (He's been on them for a long time)
Dimensions - 31 1/2"H x 18" wide - Price $72USD or 900 pesos

In 2007 I traveled to North Carolina to Troutman to meet Hubert Walters, now deceased.
A Jamaican man who was a sailor and worked on boats using bondo.  He began making
creatures out of bondo.  He had a whole little building just chockablock full.  I fell in love with Mr. NoBull, my name for him.  I thought it appropriate for him to live in Mexico.  When I brought him back in the car, he was in the front seat strapped in with a seat belt.  Funny looks at the border!
He's in perfect condition.  Checking the internet, I couldn't find any of his work similar to this for less then $800USD in galleries.  Mr. NoBull is 28"l x 17"high - Price - $450USD

Oldest cartoneria I've ever seen and very unique.  He even has a hat!  Probably made in Celaya.
Dimension - 17"h x 10"w - Price $72USD - 900 pesos  SOLD

Purchased in the 90's in Xilitla, Mexico.  This Day of the Dead toy has a metal crank on the side and when turned a skeleton arises from the coffin.  The front closes and I'll post the front in the next post.
Dimensions 12"w x 17"h x 5"deep - Price $120USD or 1500 pesos

Last Supper - Ocumicho, Mich - Purchased in the late 90's in Tonala. In perfect condition.
Dimensions - 24 1/2"l x 15 1/2"h x 5"deep - Price - $200USD or 2500 pesos  

Four women from Ocumicho -  Dimension - 12 1/2"high - Sold as set -
Price - $32 USD or 400 pesos  SOLD

Painted cross purchased in 90's in San Miguel de Allende Mercado
Dimension - 49"x31"x3" - Price $64USD or 800pesos  SOLD

Cartoneria "she devil" in bikini.  Just HAD to have her.  Found in San Cristobal, Chiapas.
Dimension - 18"l x 6"h   Price - $44USD or 550 pesos  SOLD

If interested in any of the above unique and fun items, please don't hesitate to contact me via the blog.
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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Haitian Art and Mexican Folk Art for Sale - Sale, May 4, 2013 - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico


Mexican whistles, purchased in Uruapan - 6"h - $4USD each or 50 pesos each SOLD

I started collecting Haitian art in the 80's when it wasn't expensive.  With the earthquake and the loss of so much art and artists, the prices have gone through the roof.  I can no longer afford to collect.
Signed Alain Castel, Cap Haitien - Dimensions 16Hx24w - Price  $275USD

Another Alain Castel signed piece - Wedding scene
Dimension 20hx24w - Price, $250USD

Port city scene - Signed by Harry J - Dimension 24"wx36"h
Price - $275

Haitian countryside scene.  Signed but name indistinguishable
Dimension 10x15 - Price $25USD  SOLD

Signed Haitian Impressionistic - "Joel, F.I.V"
Dimension 8x10 - Price $45USD  SOLD

Male Catrina with top hat that turns - From Patzcuaro area
Dimension 24" tall - Price $45USD or 550 pesos

Antique head dress worn by Voladeros from Papantla, Veracruz in their ceremonies.  Note the bird feathers used as decorations.  Purchased from Victor's in Mx City (supplier to museums and shops) Very rare.
Dimension - 43"w x 34"h  Price $280USD or 3500 pesos

More to come manana in another blog.

Please contact me if you have any interest in these items prior to the sale on May 4th.
Arrangements can be made to get the items to the USA and shipped to you from there at a cost savings.  Shipping from Mexico is very expensive.

If you're in Mexico or San Miguel, please contact me, if seriously interested, to see the items prior to the sale.


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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

SAVE THE DATE - May 4, 2013 - HUGE sale


It's time to clear out the "outsider art", the Haitian art, and, some of the Mexican folk art in a huge sale
to be held in May.
I decided to share photos of the items with all of you, in case you are collectors or just love some of these items and would like to purchase them
The first is the lighted church, hand made by Sam the Dot Man who is a well known outsider artist whose work is in the Smithsonian and in the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore along with other places.  If interested in knowing more about Sam, just google him.

I purchased this directly from him, have the sales receipt and a photo of me with him

The dimensions are 17 inches long x 13 inches wide x 21 inches high.
Price is $350 USD

I traveled by wooden boat across Lake Atitlan to meet this artist who painted the scene of
the market.  It is done in acrylics and is framed.  Dimensions 38hx29w.  Purchased seven years ago.
Price - $300 USD

Facejugs are part of the culture of North Carolina where the movement began under
the direction of B.B. Craig.  He has since passed on, but I was fortunate to buy this many, many years ago.  Dimension - 12 inches high - Price - $200 USD  SOLD

Made in a small village on Lake Patzcuaro this reed furniture is very high end.
I purchased it there but it is sold my Neiman's and Horchow among others.
The interior has a metal frame which the reed is then wrapped around.  Very sturdy.
The eyes, teeth and tongue are made from copper.
Dimension - 29lx31hx16d  Price $475 USD

Very very old Huichol Indian bead and wax musical instrument.  Purchased in last twelve years.
Dimension - 12"long   Price $40USD

Arte de Plume (feather art) is a Pre-Hispanic craft.  When Cortez came to Mexico, Montezuma, it is said, wore robes of feathers.  It is an art form that is dying away.  Only two artisans left in two different villages.  Was very popular in the 1950's.  Framed.
Dimension 16"x9" - $25 USD

Signed and framed - Dimension 13"x7" - Price $20 USD.

There is much, much more to share with you and I shall do that in succeeding days.  If you're in the USA, items can be shipped to you from the USA to your final destination, at your expense.

I'll drive them up next Fall and mail them from Texas to save you money on shipping.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing this first installment.  There are 38 items, so I'll be posting about this for a few days.  OR if you're in San Miguel and want to preview, please contact me, if you're seriously interested.
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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Simple Pleasures



Fresh-squeezed orange juice

Sunshine

Birdsong

Laughter

Siestas

Making love

Horizons

Music

Kisses

Flowers

Contentment

Sunsets
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