Blog 17: Fourth Interview

1. How can an artist best use mexican folk art as an inspiration for their piece?

2. How does technique inspire an artist? 

3. What are the qualities that mexican folk art beholds?

4. What are some inspiring styles that you know of?

5. What makes them stand out?

6. What is the best way to create your own style?

7. Do you know someone who has inspired you in mexican folk art? How?

8. What was the reason that they inspired you?

9. How is technique an important factor when creating mexican folk art?

10. How does style play an important role in mexican folk art?

11. What type of mexican folk art would you like to do? Why?

12. How does material availability affect your work?

13. How does material inspire your creativity?

14. How is presentation of your piece important?

15. What are the inspiring artist that folk artist base their pieces on?

16. What makes them so inspiring?

17. How does an artist know when their piece is complete?

18. How has history played a role in mexican folk art?

19. How can an artists piece impact the community and create change?

20. What is the best way to create your own technique?

Sermel Style of Papier Mache

First step finished.. Now we need to add the newspaper etc.. 

This papier mache takes days to dry properly.. I used a blow dryer to speed up the time...but...

 (These are the ones I used with the dryer..) I took them out of the mold a couple minutes after I was done molding it with the paper. I noticed that when I took them out quickly to dry them with the blow dryer they started to cave in a bit, and these were the ones where I didn't use a whole piece of paper to cover the whole mold. Now you are able to see lines of overlapping paper on the front of the figure...

After figuring out what I could do to make it better, I made three new figures. I used huge pieces of paper to cover the entire mold. I also decided to leave the mold to dry on it's own for a whole day. When I did that the figures where not caving in, it was as if they were popping out with really good detail. 

The majority of them are all dry making them really strong...:) 

Sermel Style of Papier Mache

Getting the hang of making them.. 

I learned that you need to add a big strip to cover the whole mold in order to have no overlapping lines. You also need to make sure the first layer is thin in order for you to get all the small details that the mold has. Make sure you apply several layers, not too thin but not too thick.  

Sermel Style of Papier Mache

Made the paste called "Engrudo" with flour and water..

My dad and I working.

You need to make sure you do not leave air bubbles.. 

Almost done.. make sure you get every single detail of the mold with the paper.

The paste should not be on the side of the paper that is going to be facing the mold. It should be on the outer part that way the paper does not stick to the mold.

Sermel Style of Papier Mache

My uncle from Tonala, Gudalajara made these molds for me. :)

Blog 16: 2-Hour Meeting Answer #2

1. How can an artist best use Mexican folk art as an inspiration for their pieces?
2. Experimenting with different styles to help you find your own style whether its the same or making up your own.
3. -Frida Khalo: Self portraits -Posada: Lithographer/printer -Sergio Bustamante: sculptures
4.

• Lucie-Smith, Edward. "Frida Kahlo." Frida Kahlo. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <http://www.artchive.com/artchive/K/kahlo.htm
• Sánchez, González Agustín. Posada. México, D. F.: Ediciones Planeta Mexicana, 1999. Print
• Delsol, Christine. "La Catrina: Mexico's Grande Dame of Death." SFGate. N.p., 25 Oct. 2011. Web. 12 Oct. 2012. <http://www.sfgate.com/mexico/mexicomix/article/La-Catrina-Mexico-s-grande-dame-of-death-2318009.php>
• Sergio Bustamante

5. I plan to continue my study of answer 2 by doing my own research on the different styles there are as well as create or experiment on the styles for my independent component.

Blog 15: Independent Component 2 Approval

1.) I am planning to create the different types of folk art with my dad. For example papel picado, wooden carvings, papier mache etc...
2.) It will meet the 30 hour requirement because I will be focusing on the different styles. Which all require different techniques that I need to learn in order to successfully make the folk art.
3.) It relates to my essential question because I will be focusing on the technique that makes different folk art and styles that inspire many artist and incorporate it in their art.