My wife and I visited the Museum of International Folk Art, in Santa Fe, today. The place is overwhelming and is full of so many wonderful examples of Folk Art from around the world. Well, We stopped into the gift shop for a look see, and the first thing my wife saw was a Retablo called "The Bag Makers Shop", by Internationally known Peruvian Retablo maker Claudio Jimenez. What, you may ask, is a Retablo? These are still life scenes displayed in a small box, which often has doors on it, and usually are of a religious nature. The thing about this particular artist, is that he does those type of scenes, but also does scenes of Peruvian village life and village trades and business types. So she called me over and said what did I think of it. It was absolutely stunning. I of course liked it immediately, as I have been doing more bags than large quilts, and was smitten by the image within the enclosed Retablo. We asked the price, and gulped, and then moved on to other things in the shop. My wife kept going back to the piece and then would look over at me and say what do you think. I said, it's lovely, but it is rather expensive. She would sigh, and say yes it is but it is so you. We wandered around the shop for a bit longer and she came up and said ' I am going to buy it for you and I don't want to hear any more about it. So without any further a due. I hereby present my latest sewing room addition. "The Bag Makers Shop", By Peruvian Retablo Artist, Claudio Jimenez.

Oh my gosh...that is so fantastic...Naomi :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Lovely, and I'll bet worth the price. I have a feeling your wife will get a present soon as well :)

Absolutely stunning. Art takes so many forms! Thanks for sharing the photos.

wow i am at a loss for words that is amazing!

That's beautiful! I'm sure you deserve a nice present!

That is wonderful! And it looks like the whole family is involved. I agree with your wife - it is perfect for you.

That is amazing...I love it! :thumbup:

That is stunning.

That's great!

Your wife needs to pick her favorite purse from the RETABLO and You duplicate in your Bag Makers Shop!!! awesome present!!

isn't that something? gorgeous

Awesome! (and so you!)

Wow, that is absolutely beautiful! Great find!

Love it - it is so beautiful!! Wonder if one exists for a quilt shop?

I love it! And I am glad she had the good sense( and LOVE) to buy it for you!

That is very cool!

Takes my breathe away....just beautiful!

That is so lovely! Beautiful detailing!

I love it! It is so beautiful- outside and in!!!

I think you owe your Dear Wife a special kind of bag for that nice gift. I love it!! It will surely look quite at home in your sewing room!

I'm glad you were able to get this. You'd regret it if you didn't. It's beautiful. There's so much detail in the scene.

She has already requested a larger bag like the one she has. She is complaining that when she travels her smaller bag just doesn't handle all those things necessary for travel, that a similar larger one, with outside pockets, would hold. I thought about suggesting cutting down on the purchases, but realized, immediately, that it would have had a direct impact on myself. Whew! Saved again.
John

Love love love it!

That is a beautiful piece.

stunning

Stunning

Wow, I love it. Especially since my two grandbabies are part Peruvian.

Kat

Love it. :thumbup: Thanks for sharing.

That is an incredible work of art! It has found just the special home it deserves with you and your honey! Happy Dance for you guys!!

What a sweet wife!

wow...lucky you

Oh wow! That certainly is stunning! And always a treasure!
Maureen

What a wonderful piece of art!!

As a huge folk art fan I have to say that your loving wife bought you something quite exceptional, both in the art piece itself and in how she saw "you" in it. How wonderful in every way!

So very pretty.

COOL! I love it!

cute!

That is soo neat! I agree make ur wife a purse out of the cupboard!!

Thanks for showing us these. WOnderful works of art. I'll have to go there next time we go to Sante Fe to the casinos. LOL.