Oscar, as well as his father, José Andres, were born in Pátzcuaro, Michoacan. José learned the technique of paper maché from his brothers-in-law at the age of 35. He has continued the tradition for over 25 years.  It was at the age of 11, that Oscar learned the technique from his father, and now the two of them are the only artisans who work with paper maché on a large scale in the Pátzcuaro area.  Oscar also had the opportunity to be sent by his family to the University of Michoacán to study visual arts for four years at the School of Fine Arts.

Oscar and his father work together creating alebrijes, small insects, animals such as guajolotes and roosters, as well as mythological animals. They also make danzantes viejitos, calaveras, catrinas, and many other designs.  They work with traditional materials: cardboard, also using paste. Oscar likes to continually create new images and sometimes uses organic materials, such as corn husks or pine cones and branches. His work varies in size, ranging from insects to life-size skulls, although most of his pieces range from 20 to 70 cm. All of his designs are original and he is continually creating new ones.

Oscar dreams of being able to support himself through his art, his passion. Aside from paper mache, Oscar works in sculpture and printing. He has an extra income as a teacher's assistant and helping students in a local sculpture class.

Ponciano Arriaga 1, Colonia Ibarra

Pátzcuaro, Michoacán

danescultor@hotmail.com

434 342 3035 home; 434 103 3138 cellular