Javier Ulloa being stalked by one of his creations.
Some people see a different horizon line. Some people don't see a horizon line at all. We often call them crazy. Javier Ulloa admits he's crazy and doesn't care what anyone thinks. He's an Apaseo el Alto wood carver. He says, "You have to be crazy. How else can we move forward?" In Mexico, the answer to these kinds of questions is never a straight line.
The desire to get ahead, do something new, or create better opportunities for ourselves seems a given in the US. We grew up with it, so it's second nature. In Mexico, thinking like that indeed happens, but unlike in the US, it isn't a given. In Mexico, it feels like it comes more from the belly of the individual than it does as a cultural birthright. I believe the desire to remain anonymous and not make too much noise is built into the idea of being an average Mexican. If it goes further than that, somebody has to make it happen. Javier Ulloa of Arte Ulloa "El Paraíso" has that fire inside him. Unlike many carvers, he's driven. I don't think he was born with it, and his country certainly didn't offer it to him. Piece by piece, he built it out of wood and the force of his will to succeed. He built his business, and he's not slowing down any time soon.
Team members Leandro, Rosy, and Guillermo work on the details of a "tree of life" carving with characters from Mexican history carved into the tree.
Rosy finishing up some of the detail painting on the "Tree Of Life"
Javier is 55. He started carving and helping in the studios of established carvers in Apaseo el Alto in his 20s. Still, the desire to do something nobody else was doing with his carving wouldn't leave him alone. Out of nowhere, it occurred to him that paint was the answer. Mexicans love bright colors, so the thought fit perfectly. He made conceptual art carvings, followed by animals, birds, historical figures, flowers, landscapes, tables, mirror frames, doors, beds, window frames, and cabinets, and recently, he's made entire living spaces like cabins. He's painting almost all of them, and they are electric.
A parrot flies from its roost on a painting table in the studio.
Carmen paints in the details on what will become a new table top.
Top - Fidel working on the details of a carving in the studio.
Bottom - A still life of a horse head waiting patiently to be painted into life.
Javier started alone and took advantage of every opportunity to promote his business. He says, "I'll never turn down an opportunity. I trust in God and tell everyone I can solve whatever problems they have. I want to make a difference." As the business grew, he added employees, and now he acts more like an orchestra conductor than an artisan carver. He, his wife, Ma Carmen Ruiz González, and daughter, Rosa María Ulloa Ruiz, run the workshop like it's an orchestra, and they provide painted wood carvings for a wide marketplace. When you walk into his studio next to the main highway in Apaseo, it explodes with color, life, form, and fantasy. You can find Arte Ulloa “El Paraiso” on Facebook and Instagram.
at https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=arte%20ulloa%20el%20paraiso and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/arte_ulloa_el_paraiso/
Javier, his daughter Rosie and one of their carvers Javier Ulloa Velázquez, will have samples of their painted carvings on display at Galería del Impresionismo in San Miguel de Allende on October 14 & 15. This show is the third in a series at the gallery highlighting the woodcarvers of Apaseo el Alto. The new show is really worth seeing.
Carmen, Javier and Rosy together in one of several showroom areas in the studio.
A door and a mirror frame were carved with the same thematic parrot design.
Top - Javier and Rosy talk about design issues for a carving with Guillermo
Bottom - A still life of a mother swan and babies on the studio property
Details of painted tabletops in the studio at Arte Ulloa "El Paraíso"
Woodcarving – Painted Functional Art Carvings - Exhibit
Saturday, Sunday, October14 & 15 11AM to 5:30PM
Galería del Impresionismo Zacateros 83a Centro (next to Cafe Monet)
Margo Lwna: assistance@margolwna.com 415-102-1298
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