Paper Mache that Slays

Photos by Oscar Almeida

By Richard Lucas

WHEN ONE STROLLS THROUGH THE FABULOUS PUERTO VALLARTA SATURDAY OLAS ALTAS MARKET THE ARTWORK OF MAURICIO VARGAS RUIZ AND ALBERTO TREJO GARCIA IS SURE TO CATCH YOUR EYE.

This Vallarta couple practices artistic recycling and creates handmade whimsical and colorful paper mache animals, flowers, jewelry, and platters.

The artists met in their home city of León in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato. On their very first date in December 2003, it was love at first sight and Mauricio asked Beto to move to Vallarta with him. Almost twenty years later they are still here - and still a couple in life and in art.

Mauricio was originally a civil engineer, but a friend who was a professional puppeteer arrived in Leon for a major art fair with his luggage and all his puppets missing, so Mauricio and friends came together to learn the art of paper mache from a master. They worked feverishly for the next few days to help him replace all the lost work and the big transition from engineer to artist was born.

THE PROCESS ITSELF IS FASCINATING.

Mauricio explains that the first step is gathering cardboard egg cartons from the local mercados. At their workshop the cartons are cut into pieces and soaked in water for 24 hours, then smashed by hand on cement. Glue, flour, and lime are then added to make the paste that is now ready to be applied to the original plaster molds they create. Then each piece is sanded and painted with a white base coat before applying an array of bright colors and a coat of varnish. Sometimes they leave the art unpainted so that the black and white newspaper copy is the star of a more rustic creation, such as their line of cheeky chihuahuas, but they say it is their bright tropical color palette that attracts the buyers to their wares.

When asked his favourite animal to create, Mauricio shares that it is the humble frog “because Mother Nature makes frogs of all colors, some beautiful and some scary.” Other favorite works include a series of owls, some in tecolote (traditional Aztec), and others in more modern Mexican buho style.

Their beautiful array of products range from small take-home souvenirs at $250 pesos to larger home décor works of art for $1,750 pesos. The average price of their pieces is $400 to $600 pesos. Tourists love the easy travel items like earrings, pendants and the smaller animals, while many new Vallarta residents are buying the bigger pieces to display in their condos.

Mauricio and Alberto, like many, had a rough time during the pandemic but they say those struggles resulted in them becoming even more creative and made them stronger.

They hope to soon resume teaching workshops for others to learn the art of paper mache and would love to hear from a gallery that is interested in displaying and selling their creations. You can preview their work on Facebook at Papelmache2013 or on Instagram at papiermachepv. Even better, go and visit them in person at the Olas Altas Farmer’s Market in Lázaro Cárdenas Park where you will find them every Saturday from early November to mid-May.

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IF YOU HAVE EVER VISITED PUERTO VALLARTA, THEN YOU’LL KNOW THAT HAVING A MASSAGE IS ALMOST LIKE A RITE OF PASSAGE. MASSAGE PLACES ARE EVERYWHERE. SOME ARE TRAINED THERAPISTS, BUT MANY ARE NOT.

NO ONE CAN OFFER YOU THE EXCLUSIVE SPIRITUAL AND SENSUAL TREATMENT YOU’LL RECEIVE AT INFINITY GABO MASSAGE. CONNECTING PHYSICAL ENERGY TO THE AURA, MIND AND SPIRIT OF THE CLIENT IS THE MAIN GOAL OF THE THERAPISTS AT INFINITY GABO.

Marco Hernadez is beautiful - inside and out - he is a free spirit - and he is Infinity Gabo. He’s quick to tell you that the name of his business has a very special meaning and origin. The actual name, he says, is Gabriel Infinity. The name was given to him by angels, who he speaks with regularly and who help guide him on his spiritual pathway. Social media and word of mouth are where most of his clients are referred from, and the name evolved to Infinity Gabo to stand out on social media.

Marco is 29, single, and a bisexual. He considers himself to be a very sensual and sexual person, but points out that his massages are not sexual. They are focused on releasing the spiritual and sensual energy in ones body,

Much like his life, he puts his heart and soul into each and every massage he gives. It's part of what has made him so popular.

“I connect with people and people connect with me,” he explained. “I have the gift and the magic to bring the universe together with each massage.”

For services offered please scan the QR code and visit his Facebook page.

“The cost is higher than others,” Hernadez explained. “But at Infinity Gabo, the price is based on what you get with me and my team in each session.”

Infinity Gabo massage is lead by Marco, and he has recently added a female therapist to focus on the needs of their lesbian clients; and another male therapist so they can offer couples therapy and more. Infinity Gabo has clients from all over the word, and Marco travels throughout Mexico to provide services to some of his exclusive clients.

“During my massage I love to connect this beautiful sensual energy inside us,” he said. My massage it’s very very special. I give love and passion in all my sessions.”

His massage studio - his safe space, temple - is located an easy walking distance from anywhere in Zona Romantica. Walk-ins are not accepted and each massage must be scheduled.

For a more indepth look at Marco’s life and longer version of this story, visit WWW.OUTANDABOUTPV.COM

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

FACEBOOK: @INFINITYGABOSTART WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/INFINITYGABOSPA INSTAGRAM: @INFINITYGABOSTART @INFINITYGABOOFFICIAL WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/INFINITYGABOSTART WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/INFINITYGABOOFFICIAL