​Early Angelica Vasquez Cruz figure done in Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca. This incredibly gifted mother of four had to endure the misfortune of working in the patriarchal studio of Don Antonio (Teodoro Blanco’s husband), her then father-in-law, hence his initials on the piece. However, this is very much the hand of Angelica. A rare, early piece before she gained artistic independence. 11" tall, Approximate 8" at widest.
Available on our Folk Art Pottery Page.

Very Sweet Single Alfonso Arbol with Bunny. This 1970’s piece is in Good to Very Good Vintage condition. 10, 1/2 inches tall and 7, 1/2 inches wide. US (mainland) shipping/insurance is included.
Find it on our Trees of Life Page.

​Lady from the Lake, believed to be a madonna made in Michoacán. Vintage ceramic mold-made fired.  She measures 6 ,3/4 inches tall and approximately 6, 3/4 inches wide. 
You'll find her available on our Saints & Sinners Page.

Sterling silver pendent/pinback featuring lovebirds with coral and turquoise beads and original "Matl" nameplate, mark. Prior owner Included a Sterling silver (marked) Mexican chain, It measures over 16 inches if removed. Pendent measures 3 Inches tall by 2, 1/8 inches wide.
Available on our Jewelry Page.

Stunning, Sterling oxidized pendant is surrounded by sterling flowers and (marked) back plate. Piece measures over 3 inches tall and over 1, 1/2 inches wide.
​Available on our Jewelry Page. 

Charming Modernist Taxco Pinback featuring a Serenading Charro. Marked with Emma and Taxco Stamp, This Sterling Silver Pin by Emma Melendez is 2 ,1/4 inches wide at Pin Bar and hanging 1 ,5/8 Diameter circle. Purchase on our Jewelry Page.

As with every one of you, the Covid-19 Pandemic has greatly impacted all of us here at Arte de la Vida and in our beloved hometown of Tucson, Arizona.  Our brick & mortar business at 37 N. Tucson Blvd, located along the Historic Sunshine Mile, is temporarily closed-- however, we are pleased to offer some of our vast collection of treasures through our website.

​Over the past seven years,  Arte de la Vida has grown from an 850 square foot retail space with two naive owners and one dog to a 2600 square foot shop with a wide array of diverse, exceptional merchandise, curated by two knowledgeable and experienced shopkeepers with two (soon to be three) dogs. In 2016, we converted a front portion of our expanded store into a venue to showcase community artists, and Galería Senita was born. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these extraordinary  times. We continue to cherish your support during our physical shop’s temporary closure. There is much to navigate when online retailing, so please bear with us.  It is the face-to-face interactions with our customers that we miss most, but we are committed to a continuous and meaningful relationship with you as we meet new patrons through our online market. Please continue to check our website as we expand our sales offerings as quickly as we can. A fabulous e-commerce store is coming soon! ​

Kevin & James
Jack & Artie 

The Nature of our Biz is to find wares ('finds'). Vintage and Antique treasures previously purchased, owned and collected by, lets say a fellow Mexican Folk Art Collector? a Museum deaccession? or even by chance,a small handful of treasures amongst a table full of dated tchotchkes at a Garage Sale. Our Shop is mainly Vintage and Antique. Unfortunately, the items we sell don't just grow on trees or sprout from the ground. They must be found or acquired. They must be discovered and brought to our shop for a new home to enjoy and  be loved. Our Wares are 'good karma'; previously loved and treasured. They were made in a period no longer, a time of innocence and a time when they held very little importance or monetary value. Many Vintage pieces increase in value and because, for the most part, were made to not last the test of time. We usually label it as Ephemera which was made for present day, temporary use. We believe that the 'good karma' continues when you buy an item from our shop. So how do we obtain our inventory, mainly from Kevin hitting the Road and finding them. Driving across the Southwest, searching high, low and far between...everywhere from Big City Thrift Stores to Small Town Estate Sales. 

The Road can be lonely at times, but mainly it is filled with such Natural beauty that we are able to de-stress and 'zone out' if you will. I am able to reflect, count my blessings and take time to smell the creosote  and desert mesquite. 

How does one combat loneliness or solitude overload whle driving long miles? Music! it has always had an impact on my life and one of my favorites is the late, great husband and wife: Nowhere Man and A Whiskey Girl. A duo who last resided and called Bisbee, Arizona the home base before their tragic passing.  This one's my personal fave: