Manuel Jimenez was a world renowned wood carver and painter from the town of San Antonio Arrazola in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Widely known as being the originator of wood carved animal figures known as Fantastical Wooden Animals, Tonas Y Nahuales and also the Oaxacan version of the "alebrije" which was originally conceived by Pedro Linares in Mexico City. He began creating his art in the year 1926 and passed down the tradition to his 2 sons, Isaias and Angelico pictured below. The art of wood carving popularized by Manuel has inspired many others in the town of Arrazola anda neighboring towns such as San Martin Tilcajete to create these fantastic creatures out of copal wood. They have evolved into much more intricate cavings and added fine designs inspired by ancient Zapotec culture but the original rustic looking carvings of Manuel will always have a place in history and continue to be admired and bought by collectors worldwide. To this day Manuels son Isaias Jimenez runs the workshop and continues to sell wood carvings made in the same way that he learned from his father many years ago.