Acrylic on wood
61 x 81 cm
The Tlacolula Sunday market is the oldest in the valley of Oaxaca, dating back to Pre-Columbian times. People come from all over the state to buy and sell here, and the traditional dress many of the women wear, make the market all the more picturesque. This painting is partly based on memory and my imagination, and partly on photos of people my husband discretely took.
I met Don Ranulfo through a friend's grandmother, about 14 years ago, who bought mezcal from him for her annual birthday party. She lived to be 107 and continued to drink mezcal until her death. Don Ranulfo lives in a rural village, East of the city of Oaxaca, where he grows a variety of different agaves, to make into his mezcal-- which I think has gotten better and better over the years.
Acrylic on hand-made paper
51 x 40 cm
While men from rural Oaxaca migrate North for work, and assimilate to more modern life styles, the women are left to maintain the households -- carrying the physical and emotional weight, and sustaining the traditions, throughout the ages. Many elements of the culture have survived from pre-hispanic times, despite the layers of dominant culture piled on top.
The women in this painting are based on 3 different photos my husband, Chucho, took. The one on the left is from San Marcos Tlapazola, the middle one from Tlacolula, and the one on the right from Santiago Apoala (all villages in Oaxaca).
Acrylic on paper
(22” X 30”, unframed)
The background of this painting (and others) is inspired by the Oaxacan alebrijes -- whimsical creatures beautifully hand-carved out of the soft wood of the native Copal tree, and brightly painted in highly decorative patterns.
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While the Red Dog Slept
Acrylic on Handmade paper
16'' x 20''
While the red dog slept, the moon beamed over the magical garden, the fire flared up with light and warmth, the guitar notes drew the people closer together, and the dog dreamt his own doggy dreams.
Giclée print on canvas available (same size as original): $120 plus shipping
En el Cielo de Oaxaca
Acrylic on wood
61 cm x 80 cm
Inspired by many visits to mescal producing regions around the valley, where I always see men in various states of inebriation, while the women continue to work hard, as always.
Mr. LiquorBottleFace Promises you Magic Memories of Oaxaca, Not a Hangover.
Acrylic on Handmade paper. Jean Foss 2012
Acrylic on paper
(16” X 20”, unframed)
“Alebrijes” are whimsical creatures or plants beautifully hand-carved out of the soft wood of the native Copal tree, and brightly painted in highly decorative patterns.
Acrylic on wood
(23.5” X 31”, unframed)
This painting was inspired by Jean’s neighbors who raise goats, bulls and poultry, and grow native fruits, vegetables and cempoaxochitl (giant marigolds sold as Day-of-the-Dead ornaments). Here, mules and donkeys are used mainly to carry firewood down from the foothills.
Strolling Musicians
Acrylic on handmade paper
Acrylic on a corrugated tin antique fence panel
68 x 50 cm
La Procesion
Acrilico sobre madera
San Sebastian Rio Hondo
Acrilico en madera
Acrylic on paper
(16” X 20”, unframed)
La Tía
Acrylic on wood
40 x 61 cm
(La Danza de los Viejitos)
Acrylic on paper
(15” X 18”, unframed)
For this popular and charming dance from Michoacan, young men and boys dress up as old men, complete with white-haired masks. They start out moving slowly, bent over in pain, wielding their canes. Soon, however, they become vigorous, highly skilled dancers – until one of them stumbles and falls. Others come to his rescue, stumble and fall, and the cycle starts over again. Suggested origins of this dance include the pre-Hispanic worship of a Fire God, a portrayal of the gift of old men to the baby Jesus, a token of respect for the elderly, and a dance to mock the Spanish overlords.
Acrylic on handmade paper
20” X 16”
It is not uncommon, in the center of Oaxaca, to come across flower vendors selling bouquets rolled up in paper or reed mats, on the streets and door to door.
Giclée available on canvas of the same size: $120
Acrylic on paper
(16” X 20”, unframed)
Acrylic on Wood
61 x 81
Acrylic on hand-made paper
40 x 50 cm
Acrylic on paper
(16” X 20”, unframed)
Spirits celebrate in the cemetery on the Day-of-the-Dead.
Acrylic on paper
(16” X 20”, unframed)
Acrylic on paper
(15” X 21.5”, unframed)
Acrylic on handmade paper
Acrylic on Wood
¿Y Eso?
Acrilico en madera, 2004
Acrylic on wood
(27” X 19”, unframed)
When this painting was shown in Oaxaca, many viewers thought it could have been a portrait of their Uncle – hence the title.
Acrylic on wood
(23.5” X 31”, unframed)
Jean writes: “A family in the small pueblo of La Trinidad Zachila invited me to join their Father’s Day celebration. They served a lovely traditional mole negro and more than enough mezcal to go around. Aside from their wonderful hospitality, what I remember most about this celebration was the grandfather’s joyful description of his faith, and everyone’s equally joyful awareness of the presence of the Virgin of Guadalupe.”
Acrylic on wood
(23.5” X 31”, unframed)
Acrylic on wood
(23.5” X 31”, unframed)
Villagers from all over the Oaxaca valley ride the bus along the scenic highway to buy and sell at the Sunday market of Tlacolula.
We are Oaxaqueños (from Oaxaca). Without food from Oaxaca, we would die!
Acrylic on hand-made paper
Acrylic on cement tile designed by Francisco Toledo, framed in wood frame hand-painted in Medium Red Cadmium. Available in la Galería la Mano Mágica, historic downtown center, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Acrylic on weathered corrugated tin (printed with Coronado brand cap labels for carmelized goat milk syrup) size: 26 x 29 cm.
Available at La Mano Mágica Gallery, Historic Downtown Oaxaca
Acrylic on corrugated tin printed with El Pato Salsa label. Size: ~ 26 x 29 cm.
Original has sold. Giclée prints on canvas available, mailed from the U.S.
Acrylic of canvas, 20 cm x 20 cm.
Original available, Giclée print on canvas available (rolled and shipped in a mailing tube from U.S.).
Acrylic on canvas, 20 cm x 20 cm.
Original available. Giclée print on canvas available (rolled and shipped in a mailing tube from Eugene, Oregon).
Acrylic on wood, 25 cm x 20 cm.
Original available. Giclée print on canvas available (rolled and shipped in a mailing tube from Eugene, Oregon).