This stunning Day and Night Owl alebrije by Rocio Fabian seems to hold two worlds at once. Its wings are raised, and its large round eyes look straight ahead, giving the owl a strong, watchful presence. One side is painted in deep midnight colors, while the other side glows with warm ivory and light, creating a bold visual balance between darkness and day.
Rocio’s painting stands out for its detail. Each feather features patterns, including fine grids, stepped shapes, small crosses, triangles, dots, and thin lines. Black and cream colors alternate across the wings and body, with warm ochre outlining each part. The bright, layered eyes in amber, orange, and deep red draw attention as the carving's centerpiece.
The contrast between the two sides is especially striking when viewed up close. Instead of simply splitting the owl into black and white, Rocio gives each side its own patterns, while repeating shapes and borders tie the whole piece together. From the back, the raised wings show even more detailed painting, making this artwork full of interesting views and details to explore.
This piece is hand-carved from copal wood and carefully hand-painted in Oaxaca, showing Rocio Fabian’s skill. The owl is often linked to night, perception, and mystery, and Rocio takes that idea further here. She creates an owl balanced between darkness and light, bringing both together in one unique figure.
