I headed to San Martin Tilcajete today. This is a beautiful town that is primarily committed to the creation of wooden creatures called alebrijes. Made from the wood of copal trees, these animals (cats, dogs, giraffes, elephants, squirrels, birds, chickens, etc.), fantastic creatures (dragons, devils, pegasus, etc.), plants (cacti, flowers, etc.), and nativities are adorned with intricate designs and fine details.
Sometimes the pieces are carved from a single piece of wood; sometimes the pieces contain many removable (transportable) parts. In a variety of sizes and with attention to preserving tradition as well as evolving the art form, the families who make alebrijes are constantly dreaming of new designs.
And, I literally mean dreaming. Several of the artists I met could not explain the exact meanings or inspiration behind some of their pieces beyond explaining how the idea arrived in a dream.
Many of the artists welcomed me to participate in a workshop where they would show me how they carved, cured, and painted the pieces. Others let me know of a three-day fair they are holding on November 2. I promised to return to this super colorful pueblo.
One of the families is so good at shaping wood into something artistic that they have begun trimming their trees into various shapes. While there was a squirrel, basket, turtle, several ducks, and other creatures, I only was able to capture the chicken included in the photos below.
shewhodaresnothing 
beautiful art!