It was at the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market in New Mexico last July when I rounded the corner and saw these amazing rugs. Yes, the rugs lured me in, but more so the beautiful smile of the artist and his approachable and warm manner. Within minutes of talking to Porfirio Gutierrez, I knew I had to travel to see his family make their traditional hand-woven textile arts during my upcoming trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.
Porfirio’s family lives in Teotitlan del Valle, a small village in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca where about 80 percent of the state are indigenous – his village being Zapotec. The family are descendants of and participants in the rich Zapotec tradition of weaving.
It was the lure of their mission to preserve the use of plant and insect dyes, techniques that date back more than a thousand years in the indigenous Zapotec tradition. Unfortunately over the years there’s been a slow and steady migration from natural dyes to chemical dyes to save time and money. Not only were they seeing their heritage slowly slip away right before their eyes, but a growing concern about the environmental and health risks of synthetic dyes.
I’ve seen the natural dye process in several countries and I’m always intrigued and very much amazed with the brilliant colors that can be created by plants and insects. I’m always in awe of the amount of hard work and time it takes to make it all happen.
you don’t always need to speak the same language to communicate
What a fun and exciting experience. To be able to not only watch, but also take part in and experience what the process is like, had to be one of the highlights of your trip. Unless you get to experience the process first hand, I don’t think anyone can really appreciate how “hard” the work is, and the time it takes to create a real piece of art like those rugs. I can’t wait to see them in your home. Safe travels Frissy. Bro and I will be counting the days until we see you again in March! Love you! XoXo
So true VK. Nothing like jumping in and trying it yourself to get the full appreciation! Can’t wait to see you in a month! Hugs and love!
What an amazing experience and I agree what Virginia says. Taking part of the process makes you understand the love and the dedication these people put into their creativity and work.
You picked a wonderful rug (my colours too 🙂 ) I know it will get a good place in your home.
Thank you for the link too.
Love and hugs.
Thanks Astrid! Yes, loving those blue colors too!
All of that (above comments) and I LOVE her smock apron, reminding me of one I had like that years ago. I started thinking about that food-critic guy, Anthony Bourdain, who travels all over the world and has TV programs on what he sees/finds/eats. YOU could do that, dear Robin, with all the artisans you have visited. I think you would really have a following!!!
I love those smock aprons too! In fact it would be fun to have one or two! Thanks for the idea, ha! Oh gosh…I’m sure someone out there is already doing something like you mentioned because it’s a great idea! Thanks always!!
Ditto to all that was expressed in the previous comments.
Love seeing you and experiencing the process first hand. So nice that they are so accommodating to share with you.
Hope it wasn’t hard getting the dye off your hands!
XOXO
Thanks so much Lisa! Great question! Not bad since it was pretty fresh., but I’m sure it wasn’t so easy for Juana!
Another very special visit, love seeing you trying your hand and the beauties you picked to take home and I truly love the rustic basket of yarns.
The rustic basket of yarns was a favorite of mine too…thank you dear!!
An interesting story about interesting people… and based on personal experience, it must have been so much more interesting for you. That blue piece you’ve purchased looks great and I love that picture of the sketches, what a meaningful detail. Thanks for the link to the New York Times article, Mr. Gutiérrez is an inspiring person.