mexican carved wood animals

The exotic axolotl, sometimes called the 'Mexican walking fish', is rendered yet more exotic by being reproduced as an alebrije sitting in a lotus position. Teresita Gonzalez of Mexico carves the creature from copal wood, and paints it masterfully by hand in myriad brilliant colours. Alebrijes are a form of Mexican folk art, generally crafted of wood or papier mache. They commonly depict mythical or fantastical creatures, and are painted with colourful patterns.