The art of artists

I have had the rare opportunity of working with Arnulfo Mendoza, the most famous weaver from Teotitlan del Valle, as he prepares a book celebrating the *twenty-fifth anniversary of his Oaxacan store/gallery, Mano Magica.

 

I have been photographing paintings and other pieces of art for the publication.  However, the most exciting and interesting aspect of the project is that he wants current candid shots of as many of the featured artists as we can find.  Many live within a few kilometers of the city, but some are in outlying villages..  Arnulfo has been driving and half the time we are in areas I have never been before.  It's an adventure.  We have visited just under half of people on his list and we are not talkin' about just visiting.  No, food, drink, talk are all plentiful at each home.  I don't know about you, but a large glass of mezcal at ten in the morning for me, a non-drinker, is a hell of a way to start the day.  Still, each of these artists has a fascinating story.  Some are world famous with all the notoriety and wealth that comes with the territory. We are talkin' very heavy hitters.  Others, come from more humble workspaces.  Yet all possess that spark, that aura, that surrounds creative people doing what they love.
Reuben Leyva

 Luis Zárate

 Fernando Olivera (h/t Joan)

Alejandro Santiago

 Eddie Martinez

 Felipe Morales

Eight more artists to go.  Each one a blessing and teacher for me.  I doubt that these are the shots for the book as there so many to go through.  I just grabbed some that grabbed my eye.
*Check out the comments.