Arte de la Vida
520.398.6720
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Metepec Madness

12/17/2016

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Collectors of the Bright almost Primary Color spectrum, found in the Tradition Metepec Ceamic Folk Art are a passionate Bunch. We tend to fall for it's almost childlike, Circus fun. Colors that would not only fit nicely in any Mid Mod or Boho decor, but Traditional Mexican as well. The older pieces tend to fade and deteriote with age. Sun fades the aniline dyes, time tarnishes the metalic gold Paint and moisture in the air breaks down the surface. To find Vintage Pieces in Bright Colors is a blessing, as they where most likely collected in a dry, direct sunlight- free enviornment. Here at Arte, we have a rather Large Metepec Collection new to the shop floor.
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As Mexican Folklore would have it, The famous story is Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo discovered a certain Modesta Fernádez de Soteno at a Market in Toluca selling Clay figures and animals, naively made and Painted. Smitten with her work. Diego later visited the workshop, gave her pointers on color and paint and as they say...the rest of the tale is history. Overnight, Metepec changed and the whole town turned from not only a utilitarian pottery industry, but a Folk Art one as well. Later Arbols would be made and the Metepec Tradition would grown into the frontrunner of the Arbol de la Vida/Tree of Life tradition in all of Mexico. Many pieces so elaborately sculpted and painted that they transend the label of 'Folk Art' and could easily be considered 'Fine Art'.
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Our collection at Arte de la Vida not only focuses on the Brightly Painted pieces, but the glazed and acrylic painted ones as well. Pieces so charming they not only enhance a collection or ensemble , but define it as well.
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December '17 Finds...

12/9/2016

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Brrrr... Days have shortened in the Old Pueblo and long dark nights have set on the Desert. However, inside Arte de la Vida and Galeria Senita, many things have brightned. Our display window is complete. I wanted to keep it simple this year with the message of Peace thru the Arts. On full display ia the Dove of Peace and the simple Spanish spelling for 'the Arts'.  I hope that everyone in the Arte family we find much Peace and Solice this Holiday Season.
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As well, Galería Senita is poping with the colorful and engaging work of Linda Chapell and Suzanne B. Hodges on our Gallery Walls and Pedestals...
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All of this and much, much more to to be found inside of Arte de La Vida...
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Interested in items, have request or more? Contact shop directly by phone or thru the contact form/page here at the website. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and more importantly Instagram where we post daily, new items and treasures from within our shop.
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AUGUST 30, 2016

8/30/2016

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This Past week we obtained a latter Alfonso Castillo Tree of Life candleholder, a Flores Arbol and a rather rare Heron Martinez Taller Acrobat Arbol from one of his 'white' periods. Prior to, a stunning large Huichol Jagaur Mask done by Luis Ruiz and a Coyotepec  Clay Skeleton from Carlomagno Pedro Martinez. it was a good week in The Old Pueblo...
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AUGUST 21st, 2016

8/21/2016

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Finds from the road this past week...
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Interested in ANY of the ABOVE, please call the shop...
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EARLY AUGUST ARRIVALS AND THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

8/4/2016

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Late July and early August has been quite a welcome change of guard. The Intense Summer Heat has been replaced with Monsoon Rains. Days of flooding, mixed with steady gentle rains are a welcome change to a long dry year here in Tucson.

No trip to the Great Southwestern Antique show in Albuquerque this month. In fact, not sure if we will be back for quite awhile? Both Terry and Victoria command a great show and are a Class act! We will miss many of our fantastic Customers and fellow Dealer Friends. It's just a bit to much for us...manning and running a 2800 Square Foot Shop and Art Gallery can be quite a handful when you have no employees. We'll get to the stage of hiring help down the road, until then we carry on, doing what we love best.  

​Back to the Antique Show, it looks to be quite fab this year with the addition of the Mark Winter's "Viva Mexico" exhibition of Mexican Costumes!  In fact you can find many similar items in this month's photos below and as always within our shop. We have dozens of Sombreros  Serapes and Zerapes from all over Old Mexico. A fantastic Video of the exhibition and interview with Mr. Winter from New Mexico PBS Colores! program can be found here.

Arte de la Vida welcomed a Large Shipment of Guatemalan Textiles, Purses, Runners and Pillows arrived the other week. Estates offered Gorgeous Vintage Sombreros, Vintage Chiapas Hats, Huipils, 1970's Mexican Pottery from Chiapas, Oaxaca and Tonala. From the Homestead came a Heron Martinez Mendoza Tree of Life. Various Thrifting hunts provided a Manuel Jimenez Carved Lion, 1980 Paolo Soleri Clay Bell, Feders Glass and much much more*.

There was a good buying stretch in July and August looks to be just as fantastic with Estates from Cochise and Maricopa Counties on the Calendar.  

*If interested in items in photos below, please call shop. Hours and Phone Number can be found at the bottom of page. 

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    Author

    Kevin of Tucson Arizona, a collector of all things Vintage Mexican, with a strong emphasis on 1960-70's Mexican Folk Art. 

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Fall/Winter Hours of Operation
Monday thru Saturday 10-5
All other days/ hours by chance or by appointment only,
​Please call 24 hours in advance for 
appointment please.
PHONE 520.398.6720 ● 37 North Tucson Blvd. ● Tucson, AZ 85716
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