Peyote-influenced Art—
Huichol Yarn Paintings

Tom Mayers

Magical, mystical, mythical, the Huichols are an authentic Native American peyote-using people that have inhabited Central and Western Mexico for the past thousand years or more.

Yarn painting is a relatively modern adaptation of an art that the Huichols practiced when they were fi rst encountered by modern anthropologists. They would take bees wax and put it on wood, stone, or bowls made of gourds and press string or yarn into the wax to make a picture that tells a story about the Huichols’ beliefs and religion.

In 1971 I bought my first yarn painting in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico and showed it to Rick Doblin at New College. He was fascinated by the art and story of the Huichols. About 25 years ago one of the great Huichol shamans of modern times told me to buy their artwork and help his people. These yarn paintings to be sold here are done in the village of Eligo Carrillo Vicente. The craftsmanship is excellent and the yarn is fi ner than the old yarn paintings, allowing the artist to show more detail. I have bought these paintings to continue helping the Huichol to sell their art and to tell their unique story. When you buy a yarn painting you are helping the Huichol and MAPS. Half of the money made on the sale of these paintings goes to MAPS. The other half goes to the Huichol who made them and covers my expenses in bringing them to you.

Each painting will bring brightness to your house. They are a window into an ancient American culture and are an authentic example of sacred Native American art.