Jan Danziger, Delta Chapter organized another amazingly successful Women's Arts Retreat. Nine workshops were offered in a wide variety of Mexican arts and crafts topics. Everyone learned many new artistic techniques and enjoyed a beautiful fall day together. Mexican art and artifacts were also on display and Lian Brehm and Heather Deleone shared information and stories about their trips to Mexico and their experiences learning about the art and culture there. |
Mexican Art, Crafts, and Artifacts
Amate Bark Painting
Amate bark paintings use designs from nature.The Indians in the hills north of Acapulco beat the inner bark of the Amate tree into beautiful bark paper. ‘Each painting on the ‘bark paper’is made to represent a colorful picture from the artist’s soul.’ Members worked with bright colors of acrylic paint on hand-made simulated bark paper to represent their inner artist souls.
Amate bark paintings use designs from nature.The Indians in the hills north of Acapulco beat the inner bark of the Amate tree into beautiful bark paper. ‘Each painting on the ‘bark paper’is made to represent a colorful picture from the artist’s soul.’ Members worked with bright colors of acrylic paint on hand-made simulated bark paper to represent their inner artist souls.
Hand Painted Pottery Bowls- Jennifer Barlow
Mexico has a tradition of making beautifulfolk arts and crafts which are both decora-tive and utilitarian. Different regions and native groups have their specialties, and a variety of materials are used including clay,textiles, metal and paper. Members designed and decorated a clay bowl using Mexican motifs and special clay paints.
Mexico has a tradition of making beautifulfolk arts and crafts which are both decora-tive and utilitarian. Different regions and native groups have their specialties, and a variety of materials are used including clay,textiles, metal and paper. Members designed and decorated a clay bowl using Mexican motifs and special clay paints.
Animal Sculptures- Lian Brehm
The art of making clay vessels and figures has played an important part in Mexican life from earliest times. Many differennt techniques are used, but usually the items are made entirely by hand. Most of them are created in a style featuring small animal figures: horses, cats, fish, turtles and birds of many kinds - owls, ducks, toucans and pigeons. They are painted with overall free-flowing designs of leaves and flowers, butterflies, dots, swirls and lines, that seem to combine all that is joyous in nature.
The art of making clay vessels and figures has played an important part in Mexican life from earliest times. Many differennt techniques are used, but usually the items are made entirely by hand. Most of them are created in a style featuring small animal figures: horses, cats, fish, turtles and birds of many kinds - owls, ducks, toucans and pigeons. They are painted with overall free-flowing designs of leaves and flowers, butterflies, dots, swirls and lines, that seem to combine all that is joyous in nature.
Metapac Clay Suns-Jan Danziger
Mexico has a tradition of making beautiful folk arts and crafts which are both decorative and utilitarian. Different regions and native groups have their specialties, and a variety of materials are used including clay, textiles, metal and paper. The region of Metapac is known for its clay work which includes beautifully designed suns.
Mexico has a tradition of making beautiful folk arts and crafts which are both decorative and utilitarian. Different regions and native groups have their specialties, and a variety of materials are used including clay, textiles, metal and paper. The region of Metapac is known for its clay work which includes beautifully designed suns.
Hand-Made Cards - Irene Haskell
Iris Folding Leaf card workshop was such fun and so creative. Using strips of fall colored paper and a pattern on card stock, members learned the art of Iris Folding. Members made and took home extraordinary originally designed cards.
Iris Folding Leaf card workshop was such fun and so creative. Using strips of fall colored paper and a pattern on card stock, members learned the art of Iris Folding. Members made and took home extraordinary originally designed cards.
Fused Glass Jewelry and Fired Work Glass Beads- Jan Danziger
In this workshop, participants can experiment with glass, Mexican designs and try some basic
glass art techniques: copper foil wrapped stained glass pendants; glass mosaics, glass
bead-making (flameworking) making your own glass bead- wrapping glass rods around a mandrel and
rolling and shaping glass bead in the flame and kiln-formed glass – glass shapes are heated so much that they
melt and flow together to from a new piece (fusing) and cast glass or copper foil wrapped soldered
jewelry using casting molds, glass frit, found collage im- ages and scrap glass. Members made a
piece of glass jewelry, a suncatcher or a decorative mosaic trivet.
In this workshop, participants can experiment with glass, Mexican designs and try some basic
glass art techniques: copper foil wrapped stained glass pendants; glass mosaics, glass
bead-making (flameworking) making your own glass bead- wrapping glass rods around a mandrel and
rolling and shaping glass bead in the flame and kiln-formed glass – glass shapes are heated so much that they
melt and flow together to from a new piece (fusing) and cast glass or copper foil wrapped soldered
jewelry using casting molds, glass frit, found collage im- ages and scrap glass. Members made a
piece of glass jewelry, a suncatcher or a decorative mosaic trivet.
Tin Ornaments - Lian Brehm
Tin work is one of Mexico's most colorful crafts. Rooted in Spanish colonial times, the art of tin making has changed very little since. The figures are entirely handmade (cut, punched, embossed and soldered) by craftsmen using great precision and artistic flair. They are painted with durable lacquer and enamel colors. These tin ornaments can be hung as decoration or on a Christmas tree.
Mexican Weaving- Heather DeLeone
The Huichol Indians of Mexico and the Aymara Indians of Bolivia weave brightly colored yarn on a simple frame of crossed sticks to make a design called "Ojo de Dios"or "Eye of God". Originally, "God's Eyes" were made to be placed on an altar so that the gods could watch over the praying people and protect them. They are now more often sold in markets, reminding us that God looks with love on people everywhere.
The Huichol Indians of Mexico and the Aymara Indians of Bolivia weave brightly colored yarn on a simple frame of crossed sticks to make a design called "Ojo de Dios"or "Eye of God". Originally, "God's Eyes" were made to be placed on an altar so that the gods could watch over the praying people and protect them. They are now more often sold in markets, reminding us that God looks with love on people everywhere.
Mexican Yarn Painting- Heather DeLeone
The Huichol (pronounced Wee-chol) people inhabit the most remote parts of north central Mexico. These once nomadic descendents of the Aztecs are now an agrarian society farming in a difficult mountainous homeland. Originally intended as ceremonial offerings to the Spirits to insure a bountiful harvest, yarn paintings continue today as a testament to the whole of their religious and cultural beliefs.
The Huichol (pronounced Wee-chol) people inhabit the most remote parts of north central Mexico. These once nomadic descendents of the Aztecs are now an agrarian society farming in a difficult mountainous homeland. Originally intended as ceremonial offerings to the Spirits to insure a bountiful harvest, yarn paintings continue today as a testament to the whole of their religious and cultural beliefs.
Archive created on 5/02/2016