alebrijes animals

"Feeling proud of my Mexican roots and wishing to raise consciousness regarding Mexico's beautiful endemic animals in danger of extinction, I designed this series of 10 coloring postcards. They are inspired by the multicolored alebrije sculptures of Oaxaca representing magical and fantastical creatures with wings and antennae," explains Alejandra Aceves. This set of postcards includes: a grey wolf, a West Indian manatee, an axolotl fish (Mexican salamander), a red macaw, an armadillo, a tapir, a loggerhead turtle, a pronghorn, a jaguar, and a California Gulf porpoise.

The set of 10 postcards arrives in an acrylic box with information about Aceves' project. Inspired by the illness she lives with, she realized that the symptoms diminished when she concentrated on drawing. Her wish is for others to enjoy being able to relax while coloring her postcards.

This unique papier mache alebrije sculpture is crafted by Marina Lozano in Mexico. The artisan creates her fantastical version of a bird, with enormous bug-like eyes and a long neck and tail. Designed to grace the edge of a bookshelf or table, the creature is painted by hand in bright colors and varied patterns.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930's in Mexico City. A man named Pedro Linares was taken ill, and in his fevered dreams he saw a strange land populated with curious creatures--a donkey with wings, a rooster with bull's horns, and a lion with the head of a dog. The beasts all shouted "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache.

Rendered in the style of traditional alebrije folk art sculptures, the cover of this journal depicts a colorful armadillo. On one side is the note, "Armadillo, Mexican animal at risk of extinction". The signed artwork, from Alejandra Aceves' "Everyday Stories" collection, graces a spiral-bound notebook of lined paper.

This fantastical papier mache alebrije sculpture is crafted by Marina Lozano in Mexico. The artisan creates her unique version of a butterfly, with an unusual splayed tail and lizard-like head. The creature is painted by hand in bright colors and varied patterns.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930's in Mexico City. A man named Pedro Linares was taken ill, and in his fevered dreams he saw a strange land populated with curious creatures--a donkey with wings, a rooster with bull's horns, and a lion with the head of a dog. The beasts all shouted "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache.

Rendered in the style of traditional alebrije folk art sculptures, the cover of this journal depicts a colorful jaguar with wings. On one side is the note, "Jaguar, Mexican animal at risk of extinction". The signed artwork, from Alejandra Aceves' "Everyday Stories" collection, graces a spiral-bound notebook of lined paper.

This delightful papier mache alebrije sculpture is crafted by Marina Lozano in Mexico. The artisan creates her version of a quetzalcoatl, which was a feathered serpent deity in ancient Mesoamerica. The creature is painted by hand in bright colors and varied patterns.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930's in Mexico City. A man named Pedro Linares was taken ill, and in his fevered dreams he saw a strange land populated with curious creatures--a donkey with wings, a rooster with bull's horns, and a lion with the head of a dog. The beasts all shouted "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache.