Tag Archives: collage

Telling Stories: Art Huipil Mixed Media Workshop

The Art Huipil Workshop in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico just ended. Our instructor Lena Bartula says, Textile is text, which is why she incorporates stories, messages, poems and other writing into the mixed media art workshop she teaches.  Textile is also cultural subtext, telling personal stories of the makers through pattern and design.

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Exquisite Corpse Huipil — Group Collaboration

The huipil is the oldest Mesoamerican clothing form worn by women. Each woman who weaves a piece of cloth on a back-strap loom has to tell that is incorporated into the cloth.  No two garments are alike.  They may incorporate similar materials and patterns, but they are arranged differently, reflecting our distinctiveness.

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Each woman uses symbols that reflect her personal and village history, and place in the world.  Each chooses yarn and thread colors important to her, mother, grandmother and village tradition. The way the symbols flow through the garment is a message about life. Our instructor La Huipilista Lena Bartula, guides along the creative pathway.

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Arrepentimientos by Vicki Solot

We take this Mexican tradition and use the huipil concept to create our own stories. We bring cloth, scissors, thread, canvas, handmade paper, ribbons, photographs, paints, drawing pens, glue, memorabilia and our imaginations.

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We take field trips to local markets to collect paraphernalia.  We look down on street pavement and in gardens to incorporate found objects. We determine what to edit, what is more or less, what is meaningful. We make art.

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We laugh. Dance. Eat. Sing. Rest and renew. We make an altar to bless each other and our work.  We celebrate the creativity and spirit within.

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We celebrate the completion of our work and time together with a spirited exhibition of our work, followed by a fiesta dinner complete with handmade chilis rellenos, roast chicken, tortillas, salsa verde, potato empañadas and a divine dessert called Pastel Imposible — chocolate cake topped with flan.

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As we say goodbye, we lay out our huipils. The sun is shining. The air is clear and warm. The days have sped by quickly and each participant takes away an art piece to display, a memory of an unparalleled experience in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico.

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Here is our work:

Workshop participants and their art.

Workshop participants and our collage of huipils.

I Love Mexico by Carol Egan

I Love Mexico by Carol Egan

Quierdos -- Dear Ones, by Ellen Benson

Quierdos — Dear Ones, by Ellen Benson

XXX by Sherry Bone Peel

Finding Teotitlan by Sherry Bone Peel

Bad Girl by Ellen Benson

Bad Girl by Ellen Benson

XXXX, by Vicki Solot

Natural Grace by Vicki Solot

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Gracias a la Vida/Yin by Ruth Greenberger

XXXX by Sherry Bone Peel

Let It Be by Sherry Bone Peel

XXX by Ruth Greenberger

Gracias a la Vida/Yang by Ruth Greenberger

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More or Less by Norma Hawthorne

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Let me know by email if you are interested in participating next year. I am starting an early notification list.

 

Photography + Art Collage Workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico

Questions? EMAIL  normahawthorne@mac.com

Please Distribute!

Yesterday, Mari and I worked together in Humberto’s studio to create this poster.  The main image is a fine example of how you can make a photograph and then transfer the image to create an art collage.  The small portrait at the top features a Carnival reveller.

The workshop allows you to focus on the medium you prefer to work in:  photography, collage or painting.  You can also experiment with any mix of the three, if you wish.  Our two expert artist-instructors will coach and teach you every step of the way.  Mari is an accomplished photographer who will share her tips and techniques.  Humberto is an exhibited painter and assemblage artist. They have been teaching together for over five years.

Reduced price for Oaxaca visitors/residents who don’t need lodging!

Oaxaca is filled with art to inspire you.  There are gallery and museum openings galore during this time of year.  For Carnival, we take you to the village of San Martin Tilcajete to experience the festival first-hand.

Then, after the workshop, you have the option to join Mari for 3-Days in Puebla.  If you can’t attend the workshop but want to come along or meet us in Puebla, you are more than welcome!

If you are in Oaxaca in February, we offer a special resident’s/visitor’s price that does not include lodging.  Contact Norma Hawthorne for details and special pricing.