Meet Julia Fuentes, Alebrije Artist
Julia Fuentes is one of the most outstanding alebrije painters working in Oaxaca today , creating carved copal wood sculptures that speak to her love of color, nature and imagination. Her grandfather originally crafted early alebrije figures in paper mache, and the tradition was passed down through the Fuentes family. Wood carving was already a craft in her village, San Martin Tilcajete, primarily done for making ceremonial masks. That tradition merged with the painted decorative figures to become the immediately recognizable artform we see now across Oaxaca.
Julia’s work stands out for its inventive use of color, the subtle shifts and gradients that show her early training as a fine art painter. Her husband and studio partner Jose Juan is the primary carver, and he often decides what figure can be found in the tree branches and trunks he starts with. They work alongside one another in a patio studio, surrounded by their family and pets, who often inspire the gestures and poses Juan crafts with his blades and chisels. Their two children have grown up in the family studio and have shown themselves to be talented artists who may one day decide to carry on the family business.
Artists like Julia are part of the fabric of Oaxca’s creative landscape. They sustain their own self-expression and find ways to innovate and experiment so that the tradition may continue for future generations to shape and alter as they see fit. She carefully considers her palette before starting a new piece, bringing out each figure’s spirit and individuality in precise brushstrokes.
A highlight of any time spent in Oaxaca is a visit to Julia’s studio for a hands-on painting lesson. She explains some of her techniques to guests who want to try to create their own small figure. From her outdoor kitchen she prepares a wonderful lunch for her guests who spend a relaxing afternoon with her and her family. She keeps a small private gallery open for browsing and selecting pieces to take home and also welcomes commissions.
