What is Haitian Metal Art? Haitian metal art is recognized worldwide as a creative, unique art form. It's made from recycled oil drums, which the artists open up, pound flat, and cut into metal "canvases". Designs are typically drawn first onto cardboard and then traced with chalk onto the metal. Then they use hammer and chisel to cut their designs out of the metal. … [Read more...]
Easy Sugar Skull Kirigami for Day of the Dead
This easy sugar skull art project is sure to be a hit with students in grades 3 and up. Sugar skulls are a popular icon representing the Day of the Dead holiday. Day of the Dead (or Dia De Los Muertos) is a festive two day celebration (November 1st & 2nd) honoring the lives of loved ones who have died. This colorful holiday from the Hispanic cultures of Mexico, … [Read more...]
Ceramic Sugar Skull Plate for Dia de los Muertos
November 1st and 2nd is a Mexican holiday known as "Dia de los Muertos" or "Day of the Dead"..... an no, it isn't "Mexican Halloween"! It's not meant to be scary, spooky, or morbid, but rather a colorful tradition of honoring loved ones who have passed. I'm blessed to live in an area of the U.S. with a large hispanic population, so this holiday is big here. And the more I learn … [Read more...]
Easy Sugar Skull Ceramic Planter
When I saw this awesome sugar skull ceramic planter at Trader Joes I knew I had to come up with a way for my students to make them! So here it is, just in time for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 1 & 2! All you'll need is clay, a popsicle stick, a fettling knife, and a dull pencil.... Make a sugar skull ceramic planter: If you want to plant … [Read more...]
Day of the Dead – Ofrenda Painting
The popular Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead (or Dia de Los Muertos), gives us many opportunities for colorful art lessons combined with learning about another culture! True confession time.... when I moved from a small town in upstate New York to go to college in California, I had no idea what Day of the Dead was.... I had never even heard of it. I (wrongly!) assumed it was … [Read more...]
Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos Projects
Day of the Dead (or Dia de los Muertos) is right around the corner! Don't miss the opportunity to share this important cultural tradition with your students. Often misunderstood, this popular Mexican holiday honors ancestors and loved ones who have died, and is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. This family-centered holiday celebrates the cycle of … [Read more...]
“Day of the Dead Prints” inspired by Jose Posada
We had a blast at my Teach Kids Art: "Day of the Dead" workshop yesterday! I added a new project this year, "Day of the Dead Prints" - inspired by Jose Posada. Jose Posada (1852-1913) was a prolific Mexican folk artist and political satirist from Aguascallientes in central Mexico. Posada began learning lithography (a form of printmaking using a metal plate) at age 16. … [Read more...]
Teacher Workshop: “Day of the Dead” Projects
The popular Mexican holiday, "Day of the Dead" is just around the corner! If you live on the California Central Coast, don't miss your chance to get some great project ideas at my teacher workshop, "Teach Kids Art: 'Day of the Dead' Projects".... this weekend only - Saturday, September 24th, 2011 from 9am-noon at Palace Art in Capitola. I'll be co-teaching this workshop once … [Read more...]
Mexican Papel Picado
"Papel Picado", or "cut paper", is a colorful decoration found at most Mexican celebrations. The “secret” of success for making your own papel picado is to sandwich the thin tissue paper inside a folded, heavier weight paper before cutting it. This makes it easier to work with, less likely to tear, and gives you a surface for drawing a design you can follow as you … [Read more...]
Mexican Paper Marigolds for “Day of the Dead”
"Day of the Dead" is a traditional Mexican holiday for honoring ancestors and loved ones who have died, and is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. This festive, family-centered holiday celebrates the cycle of life and highlights the Mexican peoples’ general acceptance, rather than fear, of death. Colorful marigolds are a regular feature adorning the altars or … [Read more...]