• 2024
    • 2024
  • 2023
    • Postpartum Paintings
    • You Can't Stay Here Forever
  • 2022 and prior
    • De la nada (From nothing/Of nowhere)
    • Vistas Enredadas
    • Handmade Landscapes Ocean Meets Sky
    • Handmade Landscapes
    • Toto with Moon
    • Amulets
  • Commissions
  • Projects
    • First Coat Podcast
    • Distill Creative Blog
    • Eche Verde (pop-up gallery)
    • Drip
    • Can You See My Screen?
    • Pay Up!
    • Woven Memories
    • Distill Creative Consulting
  • About
    • CV
    • Contact
    • Blog
  • Menu

STEPHANIE ECHE

  • 2024
    • 2024
  • 2023
    • Postpartum Paintings
    • You Can't Stay Here Forever
  • 2022 and prior
    • De la nada (From nothing/Of nowhere)
    • Vistas Enredadas
    • Handmade Landscapes Ocean Meets Sky
    • Handmade Landscapes
    • Toto with Moon
    • Amulets
  • Commissions
  • Projects
    • First Coat Podcast
    • Distill Creative Blog
    • Eche Verde (pop-up gallery)
    • Drip
    • Can You See My Screen?
    • Pay Up!
    • Woven Memories
    • Distill Creative Consulting
  • About
    • CV
    • Contact
    • Blog
Wandering in the Zócalo

Wandering in the Zócalo

Weeks 4, 5, and 6 in Oaxaca

December 29, 2017 in TRAVEL

My last chunk of my time in Oaxaca was fascinating. I spent about half of the time in a nearby village called Teotitlán del Valle learning how to weave tapestries and dye yarn with plants, roots, and insects and the rest of my time in Oaxaca City. I got to see Oaxaca all dressed up for Christmas and spent time with new friends from my group house (I miss it already!).

Designing my weaving at Fé y Lola in Teotitlán

Designing my weaving at Fé y Lola in Teotitlán

With master weaver at Fé y Lola in Teotitlán

With master weaver at Fé y Lola in Teotitlán

Natural Dyes workshop with Gutierrez in Teotitlán del Valle.

Natural Dyes workshop with Gutierrez in Teotitlán del Valle.

Weave by Gutierrez Family in Teotitlán

Weave by Gutierrez Family in Teotitlán

I ate lots and lots of food and drank more mezcal than ever before, sometimes in cocktails. I met creators and innovators, using native corn to make whiskey and ancient techniques to make a rainbow of colors. I learned about the Zapotec peoples and was welcomed into the homes of strangers. I made memories that only I will be able to recall and had moments with people I may never see again. My decision to quit my well-paying job and take a little break before I run my own company was not without sacrifices, but it was definitely worth it. 

Meal at La Cosecha

Meal at La Cosecha

Pescadillas at Pochote Mercado

Pescadillas at Pochote Mercado

Meal at La Cosecha

Meal at La Cosecha

Chocolate Atole at La Cosecha Mercado

Chocolate Atole at La Cosecha Mercado

Drink with Punch Drunk Shrubs at Convivo

Drink with Punch Drunk Shrubs at Convivo

Visit with Pierde Almas at their Tasting Room 

Visit with Pierde Almas at their Tasting Room 

The realities of living in Oaxaca are complicated. The cost of living is very low, but the salaries are as well, so having an income, or savings, in US dollars is a great asset. This makes me feel slimy and strange, but it is a fact. Seeing the effect of tourism and ex-pats on a historical and indigenous community was interesting -- it made me hopeful that traditions will continue to be passed on, but also scared that a bland overlay of Americanism will taint it.

I went to Mexico to learn about my own culture and Mexican heritage, but I also realized how privileged I am to be a fully-assimilated American with a college education living in a top city. Mexicans who do not have American residency or citizenship cannot travel freely to the USA. I can. I can travel freely to a lot of places just because I happened to be born in the USA. I have confirmed what I've known for a long time, but only recently have fully committed to, which is that it would be crazy not to develop my talents and use them to be the best I can be. 

IMG_8122.JPG
IMG_8110.JPG
IMG_8167.JPG
Market in Teotitlán del Valle

Market in Teotitlán del Valle

IMG_8173.JPG
Mask workshop at Espacio Mezcal

Mask workshop at Espacio Mezcal

IMG_8175.JPG

I feel gross when I see people posting photos of their 'cultural' experiences in other places, using the local people and culture as a backdrop to their own self-expression. There's a lot of this going on right now and while I think it is great that more Americans are traveling and experiencing new things, I think it's important to remember that everyone has his or her own story, history, and culture and we must try to go deep and connect with the people in a place, not just suck out the best instagram photos and move on. I hope that my trip helped inspire someone to try something new or travel to a place unknown. I hope your travels are unplanned and vulnerable. 

Globos in the Zócalo

Globos in the Zócalo

In the Zócalo. Protestors took over the square. Photo by @samgraft

In the Zócalo. Protestors took over the square. Photo by @samgraft

Read by updates from week 1, 2, and 3. 

Tags: oaxaca, culture, travel
Prev / Next

Studio Notes

This blog is about my inspiration, works in progress, and what I’m learning and thinking about.

Studio Notes

Subscribe to get updates from Stephanie Eche's studio.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Latest Posts

    Studio Notes
    Future Studio Notes Posts will be on Distill Creative Blog
    about 3 years ago
    "Cat Daddy" on view until 1/16/2022
    "Cat Daddy" on view until 1/16/2022
    about 3 years ago
    Gowanus Open Studios
    Gowanus Open Studios
    about 3 years ago
    This Stays Here
    This Stays Here
    about 3 years ago
    Soft Offerings - Online Talk for Textile Arts Los Angeles and Textile Month 2021
    Soft Offerings - Online Talk for Textile Arts Los Angeles and Textile Month 2021
    about 3 years ago
    Vistas Enredadas (Tangled Views) Exhibition Opening  - 9/3
    Vistas Enredadas (Tangled Views) Exhibition Opening - 9/3
    about 3 years ago
    What I learned from putting together an art exhibition in Chelsea
    What I learned from putting together an art exhibition in Chelsea
    about 3 years ago
    Opening of Ocean Meets Sky - Art Exhibition & Pop - Up Shop *EXTENDED UNTIL 7/17*
    Opening of Ocean Meets Sky - Art Exhibition & Pop - Up Shop *EXTENDED UNTIL 7/17*
    about 3 years ago
    March Update: Weaving Space, Teaching Online, and Sofa Modeling
    about 4 years ago
    January Release: Untangle Series
    January Release: Untangle Series
    about 4 years ago

    Tweets

    • RT @PantheaLee: in a world that keeps breaking our hearts, what can we learn from communities who have long battled political, econ… https://t.co/b6xbJXleb8
      Feb 26, 2023, 10:50 PM
    • Thank you @SVA_News for this post! Handmade Landscapes in Chelsea: Stephanie Eche https://t.co/MGQM5quKcj
      Feb 16, 2023, 11:45 AM

    Instagram

    I have a new piece of artwork in the Artist Alliance 2021 Member @artist_alliance_community show! 
There are many wonderful artists in this show--click the link in bio to see the show. 

"House Party"
28" x 20.5" 
Cyanotype print
    1. Hydrosphere 1
Cotton and indigo
11 x 11 x 2.5 in

2. Hydrosphere 2
Cotton and indigo
11 x 11 x 2.5 in

These are part of my Handmade Landscapes: Ocean Meets Sky series. View more at the link in bio. ✨🌊
    In June I took a new @nyccritclub course called Textile Translations taught by @padmavathy_r. The class was amazing and it also helped me meet other artists working in fiber and textiles, including @kekearle! Katherine came to my current show and I h