Guadalupe (Lupita) Vega Velázquez was born on the north shore of Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico. She is an exceptional and unique artist who began to embroider when she was seven-years old. First learning the skill at school, Lupita was only in the second grade when chosen to display her work in a school exhibition. She soon began embroidering for her mother's shop.

At that time, most stores in the area copied each other and carried the same designs. At eight years of age, Lupita began to develop her own designs, inspired by the flowers and birds in a neighbor's large garden. Her traditional Mexican designs became progressively more individual and sophisticated, while never deserting her Mexican roots.

Lupita's designs include flowers, birds, butterflies, and various animals, and are for adults and children. Her birds are often embroidered in silk to show their iridescence, each father individually stitched. Her flowers are frequently so complicated and detailed that eight different colors may be discovered in one petal. This Jalisco artist's techniques are of her own creation — totally unique, one-of-a-kind items, not to be seen anyplace else.

As a child of six, Neil James, a patroness of many artists around Lake Chapala, encouraged Lupita to abandon the more traditional Mexican designs and branch out to create her own. She uses both silk and cotton thread for her embroidery, often both in the same piece. Lupita concentrates mostly on garments — blouses, dresses, etc., however, she is currently working on a commission project from the United States. Many years ago, an American woman purchased a beautifully embroidered tablecloth and matching napkin set. It was destroyed in a fire and the Feria put her in touch with Lupita who is going to reproduce the set that was such a treasured keepsake.

Lupita comes from a family of artists. Jalisco's Jesus López Vega, Antonio López Vega, and Margarito López Vega, her first cousins, are well-known painters. Her brother, Jaime Vega and her cousin, Fernando López Vega, are also well-known painters and now live and work in the US.

Contact information:
Guadalupe (Lupita) Vega Velázquez
Jocotepec, Jalisco

Or contact Marianne Carlson at (from the US) 01152 376 765 7485 or email mariannecarlson@gmail.com.