The Thread Art of Ajijic

An Ajijic artist, Maria Lupita Vega Velásquez, has perfected a technique for handstitched thread painting. Known also as needle painting, painting with thread produces works of art on fabric. Almost all of what is online about thread art refers to creating with a sewing machine. Vega Velásquez, however, and her current local thread artist apprentices, are creating their art imagery through thread painting by hand. Combining long and short stitches in dense hand stitching, using a palette of thread colors in close proximity, they create lifelike images with shadows and highlights and touchable texture. In the original thread work of these Ajijic artists, the threads thus mixed create depth and shadow to tell a story.

Vega Velásques has been recognized at the annual Feria Maestros de Arte, the Mexican folk & indigenous art show in Chapala, to which buyers and collectors come from around the world to purchase the highest quality Mexican art. Yet the thread art she is now teaching has rarely been recognized by the art supporters and promoters in her community of Ajijic. When I ask why, she quotes the proverb, “A prophet (artist) is without honor in his own country.” In this case the quote might be more applicable if specifying a female prophet (or artist) being without honor, since stitch art has traditionally been viewed as women’s work, and has as such been undervalued. The form itself has yet to receive the contemporary acknowledgement and support it deserves.

Vega Velásquez explains that in the past, embroidery designs were often copied from shop to shop, and the skill level was such that designs were filled in with solid colors rather than created as originals. But she has created designs and developed techniques that have not been seen before. Here is how the Feria Maestros de Arte describes her work: Her Mexican designs are individual and sophisticated. Her birds are often embroidered in silk to show their iridescence, each feather individually stitched. Her flowers are frequently so complicated and detailed that eight different colors may be discovered in one petal. Her techniques are of her own creation — totally unique, one-of-a-kind items, not to be seen anyplace else.

Vega Velásquez has committed to teaching two six-month courses to local women for free. She feels an urgent desire to pass on as legacy the techniques she has originated, as she takes great pride in her artistic community and feels very strongly that this part of her culture must not be lost. The Lake Chapala Society has generously offered the use of their Ken Gosh Pavilion and bought all the initial materials needed for the first course, which ends in February. Presently, there are twenty women enrolled in the course. They meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 p.m at the LCS, and though the classes are in Spanish, English speakers are welcome. The second course will begin in March.

The first public Exposition of the work of the Ajijic thread artists will take place On Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4, from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. at the Lake Chapala Society.You may contact Maria Lupita Vega Velásquez through the LCS if you are able to help in any way.  The heretofore hidden art of Ajijic is about to become a local public treasure.