Studiology

Day of the Dead in Mexico, Part 2

Numerous tours took our group to locations outside of the city of Oaxaca. A parade in Soledad de Etla was an unexpected surprise, complete with the customary band. A rugged looking angel/devil/clown was doling out mescal to anyone that had a cup. I think the parade participants were enjoying themselves, and much of our group was quick to join in.

the large bottle of pure mescal was shared with everyone, looking like an innocent bottle of water

We were also learned how to make the icing and decorate Pan de Muerto or Day of the Dead bread in an ornate style that is from the tiny village of Mitla. Our host whipped up the icing and then shared it with all of us and our own small loaves of bread. 

My own attempt was okay, but nothing like the ornate style of professionals.

Another trip took us to a former paper mill in San Agustin de Etla. The windows were covered in finely cut paper. The entire site was gorgeous!

Of course I was obsessed by the plants. My phone app. (I use Seek) was constantly used to identify surrounding vegetation. The dry season was beginning, but the area looked fine. Mexico City on the other hand was parched. 

One of my favorite trips was to the town of San Martin Tilcajete and a shop were Alebrijes are carved and painted. The owner is a female carver, which is rare as they are usually the painters. She had to fight for the privilege, and the entire family is employed in the endeavor. I have hardly any photographs from that day, but it was inspirational in so many ways!

It's hard to find the words to describe the attention to detail both in the carving and wood finishing and then the fine painting. I brought home 2 small pieces, and I'm so glad I did. The technique is changing the way I paint and has been a part of these small magnets I'm selling in the galleries here in town.

Art is everywhere and the street walls are covered with commissioned work. Some are from stickers; others are directly painted.

My trip to Mexico City after Oaxaca was quick and I was able to venture through the sculpture garden of UNAM or the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. I forgot about the altitude and smog, which affected my asthma. Mexico City is densely populated and totally crazy at times, but full of art and history. Like Oaxaca, it would be easy to spend a month there and see just a bit of it.

I will end with a big thank-you to Michael de Meng for his classes and his instruction. I always learn something and am one of his biggest fans. He picks his locations to inspire and this artist is most grateful for everyday I spent with the group and our full days of learning and traveling. Gracias Maestro!

 

Day of the Dead in Mexico, Part 1

For 2 weeks I traveled to Oaxaca and Mexico City. A workshop lead by Michael de Meng with Mija Matriz as our tour guide led to some fantastic side trips. It would be hard to pick my favorite but one of the cemetery trips included 2 barn owls, flying overhead, squawking the entire time. Between the numerous visitors and nightly fireworks, I think they were over any Day of the Dead celebrations. 

Parades were held every day - somewhere. In fact, our vans were caught up in a small town, literally stuck as the locals held their parade and a band played in the parking lot. We didn't mind.

 

face paintings were at an all-time high with impressive details

The incredibly beautiful center of Oaxaca with its ancient cathedrals and cobblestone streets were festooned with Dia de los Muertos decorations. Marigolds, Catrina's, and lots of paper mâché skeletons inspire all visiting artists.

a couple of blocks were closed for this massive street display

November marks the beginning of the dry season, so it's relatively safe to put paper mâché work outside. There was a small rainstorm when I arrived, and a few were covered with large sheets of plastic for protection.

The cemeteries were coming together, November 1st and 2nd mark the holiday with entire families decorating gravesites. 

gladiolus and tuberose were well represented as well as marigolds and celosia

Ofrendas are built to remember all who have passed. Photographs, favorite food and drink are laid out to welcome them home. Some are very elaborate, some much simpler.

As I collect more photographs, there will be a part 2, which will include some fieldtrips, wall art, and Mexico City. Our fieldtrips included a mescal distillery, Alebrije carver, a paper mill, and a visit to Josefina Aquilar - a clay folk artist. We even had the chance to decorate our own Pan de Muerto, created in a style that is from the small town of Mitla.