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...]
“Day of the Dead” – a Teacher Workshop!
For those of you who call the California Central Coast your home, we have a special Teach Kids Art teacher workshop coming up this Saturday, October 9th, from 9am-noon at Palace Art in Capitola..... "Teach Kids 'Day of the Dead' Projects"! I will be co-teaching this workshop with K-12 Spanish teacher, Catherine Murray, from Rio del Mar Elementary and Cypress Charter High … [Read more...]
“Faux” Mexican Bark “Paintings”
These Mexican Bark "Paintings" by my 5th graders got more "wows" than any other project at our recent school art show. By using markers instead of paint, we saved time in both prep and clean-up, as well as the extra step of touching up with black Sharpie after painting. And the marker on the brown paper produced some beautiful colors! Using markers in place of paint was an … [Read more...]
How to Make Your Own Mexican Bark Painting
"Mexican Bark Painting" by Arin Colorful Bark Paintings made by the people of Xalitla, Mexico, are the primary source of income for their entire community. These paintings are made on amate paper (from the bark of the wild fig tree) and typically depict flowers, birds, plants, and animals. You'll need: Brown paper grocery bag Scissors Pencil Black (F) Sharpie Heavy books or … [Read more...]