Visiting a Legend in Oaxaca: Josefina Aguilar
Josefina Aguilar is the matriarch of a family of artists and the first to gain recognition for her unique and colorful clay figures. I'm pretty sure I've been to her home every time I have visited Oaxaca.

Here Stevie Mack is shown with Josefina's son. He has taken over demonstrating for visitors since his mother no longer can, use to her health. He is surrounded by clay figures made by his family. Like most artisan families in Mexico, everyone pitches into the family business.
Figures range from small to tall and are fired once and painted with acrylics.
I wanted this horse and rider but didn't think I could get them home in one piece.
We had a fantastic time in Oaxaca and felt perfectly safe the entire time. There were ongoing teacher, doctor, and nurse strikes but they did not affect us. The Days of the Dead are a family celebration and that was clear everywhere we went. What is sad is that people have been scared to go to Oaxaca by misleading news reports and the lack of tourism hits the artists and artisans hard. They don't have many other ways to make a living. I can't wait to go back.
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