Lachiguiri Artist

There are now over 60 artist from the village of Lachiguiri. Each show their own personality in their work. Each piece is signed and numbered.

October 14, 2005

Virgen Fidel Velásquez






Virgen is wife of the ex mayor who really worked hard for his village. She has emboirdered the famous Zapotec huipils of Oaxaca which take over three months to hand make and sell for a good price but there hasn't been many buyers for her art work nearby. She started painting rocks and is doing a super job. She has an eye for art. I have added one of her huipil's for you to see what other art things she does.

Constantino Galván Toledo




Constantino served for one term as mayor of Lachiguiri and while he was serving he saw that they built a new high school. They had the first graduating class this last July.

He and his wife have a little coffee they grow but it isn't enough to earn a living for his family.

He feels that painting rocks to help earn a living is a great idea for his people and he and his wife, Virgen are some of the more talented artist. Constantino's specialty are cats.

October 12, 2005

Elisaida Peña Martinez
















Elisaida is married and has five children. She and her husband grow a little coffee back in their jungle land. It isn't enough to cover even the basic needs. She is painting in order to help with their family needs such as food and clothing for her children.

Gustavo Pérez León





"Tabi" came from Salina Cruz and married a gal (Sara) from Lachiguiri and now lives there.
He has learned the trade of an electrician but at the moment there is little call for his trade. Hopefully soon people will start earning enough money either in their art work or some are now working on the new interstate highway which will go past Lachiguiri about five miles out.

Tabi has always enjoyed creative art. His art is very good. He feels that by using his talent he will help his family through these bad times economically. He will be one that we plan to teach how to market the art work of the people in Lachiguiri in other ways, through resort hotels, artisian markets etc.

October 11, 2005

Ostalia Rivera Vásquez





Ostalia always had a sad look but now she is smiling as she is beginning to see a way for a future for her children. Her older children never attended school as they didn't have the money to buy the necessary uniforms and shoes. Now that she is earning money from her rock sells she is now sending her younger children to school.

Ostalia had never picked up a pencil and drawn before coming for the free classes. It is so good to see the changes for her family.

October 10, 2005

Adelma Hernandez Montiel








Adelma was the first person of the village to sign up for art lessons. True she had a tremendous need to earn a living but her hands are badly deformed. Would she be able to paint? Well the bug above was one of her first endeavors. The others above are some of her recent pieces of art. It is getting more difficult to tell her work from many of the other good artist.
She is a delightful person and enjoys singing songs like "La Cucaracha" as she paints. Adelma is a single mom with two young children, a boy age 7 and a girl about 5. Her daughter was taken away from her by neighbors when she was two years old and wisked off to the city. Because Adelma is now beginning to earn money selling her rock art she has now gone to the authorities and it looks like she should soon get her daughter back.