Draw Oaxaca: Art Tourism in Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca, Mexico is a southern Mexico city that is the seat of an intact indigenous culture. Renowned for it's cuisine, arts, ruins, markets and natural beauty, it's also the home of Mezcal, the mysterious smokey/smooth distilled agave beverage that is the soul of Oaxaca. It's the perfect place for the artist, offering ample opportunities to visit museums, galleries, cultural events and ruins. Cafe life beckons, offering opportunities to sketch as well as mingle with like minded travelers and locals. Village markets and craft collectives dazzle with a spectacular, indeed surreal array of goods. As a Oaxaca resident since 2007, I'm your insider guide to art adventure here.

Local flora

Easily reached via a direct flight on United from Houston, Oaxaca offers a wide range of elegant, reasonably priced hotels. Aero Mexico also flies to Oaxaca via Mexico City.

The city of Oaxaca sits at the confluence of three mountain valleys and boasts a near ideal climate at an altitude of 5000 feet. The city center features a charming array of sixteenth century baroque architecture, dotted with convivial cafes and restaurants featuring the world renowned Oaxacan cuisine.

Urban Oaxaca ruin

I've been teaching drawing and painting classes in Oaxaca for the past two years, concentrating on on-site life studies. There is plenty to draw -- the flora & fauna, buildings and landscapes. We've even tackled the human figure in market settings. No easy task, as people move freely about as we try to capture them in pencil, it gives your hand and eye a real workout.

You are invited to join me in Oaxaca for on-site drawing and painting sessions. I generally charge 200 pesos per session, with a price break for group sessions depending on the number of students. Day trips can be scheduled for groups at 1000 pesos per day plus a stipend for gas. 

In addition to art lessons, I host visits to ruins, arts and craft villages, museums, mezcal stills, markets and other Oaxaca attractions. I also recommend local guides and tours in addition to leading them myself.

I'm happy to field questions on all things Oaxaca -- from travel and hotels to what to pack and what to leave home. Drop me a line!

Steve Lafler

Email me

503-213-3671

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

One of my favorite things about living in Oaxaca is the oversupply of ancient beat-up slag heaps that were cars in a former life. Let's just say they have a lot of character.
I saw this '74 Dodge Dart today, at rest a couple blocks from my house, and had to paint it. I sat on the sidewalk and struggled to capture it as an earnest young man stopped and amiably chatted with me, destroying my already fragile focus.
Still, a bit of this old heap's character shines through.

The painting above is titled Classic Ruins. It's a 12" x 9" acrylic on canvas. $175 includes shipping & insurance via DHL. Takes two days.

Interested parties can email me.

Steve Lafler

Painting From Life in Oaxaca

I've started a process of creating paintings from life in Oaxaca, Mexico. My intent is to capture the rich and glorious urban scene of Oaxaca, with some emphasis on the fact that this is quite a poor town, as well as a splendid Mexican baroque city.

Here is the first one, entitled Calle Carranza Old & New. It's a 9" x 12" acrylic painting.

I'll be selling all the work I post here. This painting is available for $175.00 U.S.

Interested parties can contact me via email, or call me at 503-213-3671. Payment is via paypal, I'll simply send a paypal invoice via email, and will ship upon payment. (Alternatively, I can accept checks at my official U.S. based address.)

The price includes 2 day shipping and insurance via DHL.

I'll continue to post as I paint!