Photo Hunters #57: Wooden

The Photo Hunters theme this week is wooden. I really wanted to do some wooden poses, but my Mommie told me to stop fooling around. So I am going to show you this carved wooden lizard from Oaxaca, Mexico. Here is what I learned about these wood carvings:

In a great variety of subjects and sizes, the painted wood figures are carved from copal wood using the natural shape to inspire the sculptural form. If representing snakes or animals with tails, for instance, the tail takes the winding form of the tree branch. Copal wood is easy to carve while green. An uncomplicated piece such as an armadillo 10 inches long, takes about three days to carve. After drying in the sun for another three days it becomes light weight and hard. A sealer is applied to protect it from insects. Men do the carving, and the women paint, everybody working up to 15 hour days. The prosperity of many of the artisans is an amazing turnaround in villages where 15 years ago many were wondering how to make a living.

Here my lizard is trying to show off his intricate patterns. My back has patterns too, but they are not intricate. Maybe because my patterns are not painted on.

Lizard, I will be your friend. Since you are made of wood and I cannot eat you.

Photo Hunters #57: Wooden