The_carving_process Alebrije

woman sanding alebrije in progress in san martin tilcajete

the carving of piece, done while wood still wet, can last anywhere hours month, depending on size , fineness of piece. copal wood used influence made, both because of shapes branches can take , because male , female trees differ in hardness , shape. carving done non-mechanical hand tools such machetes, chisels , knives. time more sophisticated tool used when chain saw employed cut off branch or level base proposed figure. basic shape of creature hacked using machete, series of smaller knives used final shape achieved. details such ears, tails , wings made pieces separate 1 main body.

after carving, figure left dry ten months, depending on overall size , thickness. semi tropical wood such copal susceptible insect infestations, , reason drying pieces soaked in gasoline , baked ensure insect eggs have been destroyed. figure dries, susceptible cracking. cracks filled small pieces of copal wood , sawdust resin mixture before painting. oaxaca woodcarvings painted aniline paints made natural ingredients such bark of copal tree, baking soda, lime juice, pomegranate seeds, zinc, indigo, huitlacoche , cochineal. these colorings used dying clothing, ceremonial paints , other uses. since 1985, carvers have switched acrylics resist fading , withstand repeated cleanings better. however, still use aniline paints have more rustic customers prefer. either way, painting done in 2 layers, solid undercoat , multicolored designed superimposed.

originally, woodcarving solitary activity aspects done 1 person, male. sales soared in 1980s, work began shared among family members. women , children sanding , painting, leaving men contribute less half of work goes figures. despite this, pieces still referred work of 1 person, male carver. there exceptions this. there men paint better carve , in community of san pedro taviche, women collect , carve wood men. in cases, work on pieces done family members. families may hire other relatives or strangers if faced large order. however, established of carving families can have permanent outside , number of these refuse hire outsiders.