Lithograph print that depicts the Tlingit Xolo.  Xolo is a mexican dog that has cultural significance.  A rare breed, the Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced “show-low-eets-queent-lee”) is a highly intelligent, calm, and compact dog. Also known as the Xolo and the Mexican Hairless, this breed is loyal and loving.

This has become one of artist Crystal Worl's favorite designs because of her compassion for dogs.   She produced a stone lithograph with five colors, produced at a 2024 residency in La Maquina Taller studio, in Oaxaca, Mexico.  Crystal considers this a special experience to work in a studio with one of the world’s oldest and rarest lithograph machines. The design is a dog that symbolizes guidance protection in the three cultures of Tlingit, Athabascan and Aztec.  The dog’s head is Tlingit Formline and the body is Athabascan beadwork.

Each print is embossed along the bottom with la chicharra, or the cicada, and the embossed watermark of the high-quality paper used, Fabriano.  While la chicharra is at the bottom center, the Fabriano watermark varies across the bottom of the print.
 
This is a very limited run with only 40 prints created. Each print is hand signed, numbered, and titled.

Available prints: 18/40, 19/40, 20/40

In Oaxaca City there are tons of print studios of every kind. Hundreds of talented artists live in Oaxaca making art, food, and mezcal! In February 2024, Crystal spent a month there to create new prints. Stone lithographs and wood block prints. She hired a full studio with a full crew of about 10 to help her successfully produce 150 individual prints in 3 weeks!! The two studios she worked at are called La Chicharra Taller, and La Maquina Taller, they have embossed their logo on the bottom of each print. Getting the art home was hectic and she had to fight to ensure its safe delivery home to Alaska. She is so grateful to have had this opportunity and proud to share the experience with you. 

Stone lithography is a printmaking technique where an image is drawn onto a flat stone surface with an oil-based medium. The stone is then chemically treated to fix the image, after which it is inked and pressed onto paper to create a print. It’s a traditional and labor-intensive process known for its ability to produce finely detailed prints with unique textures. It is Crystal's favorite method of print making, but because of it requires a full studio with very specific materials, tools, and press it is a rare thing to have access to.  This technique was first used around 1798. Limestone is the most common surface to work on.  We don’t have access to this technique in Alaska!

This is an extensive, difficult process made only possible by the professional team that helped Crystal bring her vision to life.    

To better understand how the process works, watch here:

Aproximate Size:                                                                                                         21.25”W x 28.25”H

Fabriano Artistico Watercolour Paper is 100% cotton, chlorine and acid free, guaranteeing long conservation.  Deckled edges.