Pedro Linares began his career as a maker of the effigies known as Judas figures, traditionally made of carton during the Catholic Easter season in Mexico, and by making figurines for Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and other artists from the Academia de San Carlos School of Fine Arts in Mexico City.

The "Alebrije" were created by Linares when he was 30 years old at 1936, allegedly after he suffered high fever and unconsciousness caused by peritonitis.

He wanted his family and others to know about the animals he dreamt of by taking a piece of paper and molding the figures from his memory and then painting them as he saw them in his dream.

Part of a documentary series on Mexican folk craft, it resulted in traveling workshops from the films' subjects.

[citation needed] The work done by Linares for Diego Rivera is now displayed at the Anahuacalli Museum in Mexico City.