Tanya Visit

Tanya Watching Al Paint. (Tomasito photo, 2009)

When Tanya visited the care center where Tomasito's Creative Workshop meets a few days ago, I took the opportunity to take this snapshot.

This was the first day Al had tried watercolor and we were all pleased with his results and fast progress.

We will probably do more watercolor experimenting during the new year-- 2010--and to our blog readers:

Have a very good, productive, arty and happy new year!

Tomasito


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Me and Al at Work

Me and Al at Work. (Tanya photo 2009)

When Tanya stopped by to see how the Creative Workshop was doing, we got her to use her photography skills to show the world how we do it!

AL has been using watercolor on paper for the first time in his life and he likes it!

He asked me if I thought he could paint with oils and I told him it was the easiest thing in the world--almost!

Now we have to come up with the money for supplies. It's a shame that oils are so darn expensive because I DO think they are easier to work with than watercolor--though the long drying time will be sort of a challenge since we are VERY cramped for space!

Well, it is on our "to do" list so it will probably happen.

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Painting Bea

Bea at Work (Tomasito 2009)

Sometimes when everybody is working, I take the opportunity to do some arty things myself.

The home-school kids had squeezed out some extra paint so I used it to make this quick color sketch of Bea at Work with her felt-tip pens.

Some of the people at the care home think I am a "teacher"--but really I am just another one of the workshop "artists" having a good time with arty materials.

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Observer

Chilly Observer (Tomasito photo 2009)

Not all the residents at the Care Center are active in our workshop--but most of them come over occasionally to see what we are up to.

When one of our projects is finished we usually show it off to the people in the activities room--usually to positive comments like "That's beautiful!". These old people are, thankfully, not awfully critical about our creative projects!

The unfinished project in the foreground of today's photo is one of our signature pizza-box picture frames. We are getting pretty good at making them!

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Bea Drawing

Bea Drawing (Tomasito photo 2009)

The other day our home-school kids, Zaccai and Hannah, were cutting out and pasting together some shapes which are in the foreground of today's photo--examples of the famous "Five Platonic Solids"--and I guess all of us were pretty inspired by them to be more creative.

Most of these card-stock shapes evolved into Christmas ornaments and are now decorating trees here and there.

Ninety-one year old Bea , inspired by our "Platonic Solids" models, I think, did some of her own highly creative free-form drawing.

We all inspire each other to be creative--and I found these appropriate words in the book by Henry Glassie: The Spirit of Folk Art.

"We operate in a world that lies beyond our control, using things we did not make to create things that, like us, will not last." -- "Our creativity is but participation in creation."

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Al Painting

I did this quick color painting of Al as he was decorating a pot yesterday--so we are all busy with arty stuff.


Tomasito


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Alfredo

Alfredo and mask

Alfredo is almost a member of our creative workshop.

Every day he comes around to see our latest creations.

So far I haven't been able to coax him to take a pencil and start scribbling along with the rest of us--but he is a very enthusiastic and supportive critic!

He is holding one of my papier mache masks which we used for our Halloween celebration.

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Lizards

There is a good museum of folk arts of the world here in Escondido.

The Mingei Museum is small but has a very good collection and a changing schedule of exhibits which is very worthwhile.

There is presently a selection of art built around the theme of "Rite and Ritual"-- ceremonial art from different cultures--and one of the works has a series of animals and birds in circular patterns which was personally inspiring.

I have used these thematic ideas for a series of cartoons which the artists in our Creative Workshop have been developing into paintings and other decorative projects.

"Lizards" shown above in black and white is one of our collaborations.

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Activities Staff

Margaret (L) and Rhonda (R) Serve Halloween Cake. (Tomasito photo, 2009)

Hard-working Palomar Heights Care Center Activities Staff (photo above) keep the activities ball rolling all year round.

There is always something interesting happening for the residents to do because of these two ladies.

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New Work

Hannah, Al, Zaccai at Palomar Care Center. (Tomasito photo, 2009)

Our two "home Study" kids have returned and are busy two afternoons a week on various projects.

Hannah has done some nice beadwork and Zaccai worked on and completed the cool Halloween mask he is modeling in the above photo.

Al feels a lot more confident painting and is working with smaller and more complicated patterns and designs.

All together we have started making ornaments for the Christmas tree using Plato's five solids as basic forms.

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Maria Leaves

Maria at Work (Tomasito photo, 2009)

Our "colorista" Maria has left the Palomar Heights Care Center for another care home.

Maria was an inspiration to all of us with her bright renditions of primarily religious themed
cartoon drawings.

Via con Dios, Maria.

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Al Angels and Shepherds

Al, Angels and Shepherds, 2009 (Tomasito photo)

All of these Pizza-box Pictures are a group effort--if you can call play effort.

It is so satisfying to make something we think is beautiful.

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BVM 2009

BVM

Maria is our colorist.

She uses mainly felt-tip pens so the colors are pretty garish--but, what the hey? Right? They do the job.

It was her idea to put the "estrellitas" on the blue mantel--pretty good, I think.


I usually have a cartoon for her to color every couple of days--and when I don't she keeps in shape by coloring the color-book pictures provided by the Activities people.


All well.

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Philosophic Bea

Bea's Design, November 4, 2009

Bea joined the workshop group for a while today and talked with me about his and that.

She talked mainly about her experiences as a young girl--remember she is now 91 years old--and it was very interesting for me to listen to her.

When she was a little girl one of her first jobs was to help the wife of a white man, Mr. Baines, who suffered from arthritis. Bea poured warm water over the woman's wrists which gave her some relief from pain. Bea said that"seeing misery helps you gain strength".

She also talked about some of her memories of going to the Wayside Baptist Church. She remembered a song which I remember too from my childhood: "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam". "I was His sunbeam then," she said; "and I still am."

"People think I'm just talking," she said, "but I'm preaching. That's all preaching IS--expounding the truth."

Good for you, Bea.

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Al and New Paintings

Al Carrillo with three new pictures. (Tomasito photo, 2009)

Al and the rest of the Creative Workshop people have been working on these three pizza-box frames and paintings for a couple of weeks--and now they are ready to be sent out into the world!

Good luck, paintings!!

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Maria's Family Visits

Some of Maria's Family. (Tomasito Photo, 2009)

Maria's Grand-daughter with her two children (Maria's Great-grand-daughters) visited the Palomar Care Center this afternoon.

We gave her one of the nice framed pictures Maria helped us make--San Miguel Arcangel in one of our "signature" Pizza-box and papier mache frames.

It was pleasant to think that one of our products got into the right hands. We expect this framed picture will become a treasured keepsake for the new generation.

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Dia de los Muertos Installation

Dia de los Muertos Installation, Display Window of the Escondido, CA North Valley Branch Public Library. (Tanya photo 2009)

Almost all of the objects in this display are made of papier mache and most were created by the people at Tomasito's Creative Workshop at the Palomar Care Center.

The installation was placed in the library in late September and will be in place until November 2, 2009.

Since many of the traditional objects used as decorations for the Dia de los Muertos ar made of papier mache--it is the perfect time of the year to bring out the creative possibilities of the medium.

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Escondido Municipal Gallery Show

Me, Guests and Framed Works by My Workshop Artists. (Tanya Photo, 2009)

The Escondido Municipal Gallery showed several of the paintings and pizza-box frames made by my "Creative Workshop" people at their "Art Riot" Exhibition which opened on Friday, 12 September, 2009.

One of the framed works SOLD! (Hooray for us!) It is wonderful to be so appreciated by the art and collection community.

Thanks again, Municipal Gallery!

Tomasito

The Kids Are Back

Zaccai and Hannah King help Al with papier mache. (Tomasito photo, 2009)

School is back in session and our neighbor home school kids are back to help with our arty projects.

Thanks a lot, Zaccai and Hannah!

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Maria

Resident Maria joins us. (Tomasito photo, 2009)

We are very fortunate to have Maria Guerrero join us for our workshop when she can.

She likes to use bright felt-tip pens to color cartoons--and I draw the Mexican theme cartoons for her.

I also get to practice my Spanish with her since she speaks no English.

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Bea Colors a Cat

Bea Colors a Cat (Tomasito photo 2009)

Bea is back with us almost every day now. She usually puts in some time coloring but is seldom very far from her Bible which she carries in her purse. "I can do all things through God who strengthens me." She says.

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New Exhibition

Elsie watches Al finish a papier mache mask. (Tomasito photo, 2009)

The Escondido Municipal Gallery has accepted some of our workshop's creations to show as a part of their "Art Riot" exhibition opening this week.

This kind of involvement in "real life" outside of the Palomar Home is awfully good for the senior residents who are working to produce art of "museum quality" mostly from their wheel chairs and usually without benefit of any art education in their long lives.

Thanks, Escondido Municipal Gallery, for including us again in your new show!

Tomasito

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Elsie Helps

Elsie Helps (Tomasito photo 2009)

Resident Elsie stopped by today and wanted to join in--everybody is welcome to help out in our workshop!

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Al Finishing Frame

Al Carrillo at Work (Tomasito photo 2009)

The folks helping out at the Creative Workshop have been finishing several of our signature pizza delivery box/papier mache picture frames.

The frames are so brilliant that the pictures we are placing in them have to contend for the viewer's attention!

So we have to make our paintings more colorful and interesting--it is a challenge!

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Framed Art One

This art--felt-tip pen, watercolor and acrylic color framed in papier mache made from a recycled pizza box--is one of the projects finished by our "Creative Workshop". Most of the participants had a hand in the production.

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Bea Back

Bea's Back! (Tomasito photo 2009)

Bea Thomas is BACK!

She has been back with us two sessions now and is getting wild with Crayolas!

(Why should kids have all the fun?)

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Bea Thomas

Bea Thomas, June 2009. (Tomasito photo)

One of our workshop's most dedicated artists, Bea Thomas, had to go to the hospital a week or so ago and has not been back with with us since-- so today I visited her in the therapy room.

She gave me one of her signature bright smiles when I told her we had missed her.

And we have.

Good for you, Bea!

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Proud Al

Proud Al

Al is holding our big papier mache bowl filled with papier mache fruit/rattles--most of which he had a big part of making from start to finish.

Al is one of the most faithful participants in our Creative Workshop--and we can always count on him to be appreciative of all our efforts. His only criticism is usually "It's BEAUTIFUL!"--and that is a criticism every artist is happy to hear!

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Frog and Friend

Frog and Friend (Brian Wilson)
(Tomasito photo, 2009)

Papier mache is a lot of fun--and mask making with papier mache is fun for the artist and fun for the person wearing the creation.

A mask I made a while ago seems to be everyone's favorite. It seems that almost all of us want to be a frog at least part of the time and putting on this mask brings out the amphibian in everybody.

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Ambulance

Fire Truck and Ambulance with VIEW (Tomasito photo 2009)

There is another more shadowy side of a care center, of course, which is always a present possibility for those of us working, visiting or living there.

Dial 911 and those "Nice Young Men with their Clean White Coats" --or emergency uniforms in this case-- are right there to aid and assist some faltering senior citizen.

This photo was taken recently from our apartment balcony one very nice day here in Escondido, CA, USA--it it you get a glimpse of the fire truck and the ambulance parked in front of the care center along with the splendid view of the distant hills.

Sometimes those who have come to end of their days "running and playing in this beautiful world" will be taken on one last voyage and then will be "grass in the field" as the poet says.

In the mean time, doesn't it put a bit of creative edge on life--a modest sense of urgency perhaps--to make one more good, creative statement--even if it is in evanescent papier mache and watercolor?

We lived, friends--we LIVED!

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Paper Mache Thoughts

Tomasito and Papier Mache Masked Friends.

A few days ago I had the good fun of demonstrating the art and science of papier mache at a Grape Day Park Community Festival here in Escondido.

Everyone remembers having fun with papier mache when they were kids in school and for most of them that was their only experience with this very nice, recycled paper art form.

I mentioned to the people that stopped by our booth that one of my first arty memories was when I was one of a kids team making a papier mache diorama representing the Grand Canyon in the second grade. It was ART! And I was hooked!

Years later I took a good course in "Teaching Art to Elementary Children" and I had a very good teacher who mentioned in passing that "You can make anything with papier mache." which is almost true--though I havn't made much money with it.

I have made some cool things for theatrical productions though like Macbeth's head (to show that the tyrant was indeed dead!) and a big mammoth's head for an actor to wear in a "Skin of our Teeth" production.

And now with my old friends at the Palomar Care Center I can help make all kinds of stuff and it is good creative fun for all of us.

You can probably BUY most of the things we make for a couple of dollars at Wal Mart, but why should we let the Chinese have all the fun of making them?

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Party Time

Al and a Friend at a Birthday Party (Tomasito photo 2009)

The photo above shows a party in progress at the Palomar Heights Care Center.

I plan to have a party there myself pretty soon, but not a birthday party!

Peace Pilgrim suggested that instead of celebrating birthdays we should celebrate "Getting Better" Days--and only WE would know when to celebrate--and I feel a celebration coming on!

I'll let you know the date when I decide on it!

Tomasito, 2009


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Bea's Dream Tent

Bea's Dream Tent
(Click empty space above for surprise tent!)

Bea (now 91 years old) told me--as she drew this picture--that when she was young she always wanted a tent to play in but never had one--so this is a picture of her "Dream Tent", fulfilling in imagination an early remembered desire.

Tomasito 2009


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Recycled Art

First Exhibition

We made our first exhibition on a table at Palomar Care facility, showing the above finished projects.

The masks were built on plastic "kitty litter" jugs--the tray and the jars were built on plastic forms from the grocery store--the forms were recycled and the 12-25 layer papier mache sturdy objects can now be used around the house.

The most expensive part of the projects is the acrylic paint which adds gloss and a little bit of waterproofing to the articles.

Tomasito, 2009


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Workshop Environment

Al and Zaccai (tomasito photo)

The above photo shows Al and Zak working on papier mache projects.

Most of our projects are done by different willing hands--a real workshop environment.

Al is adding layers of paper to a formed large bowl. We used the beach ball shown in the photo as our original form--so it is a good sized bowl. From start to finish--drying time and painting time-- the bowl project took about three weeks. It was a very satisfying project!

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Sad Dog

Bea Befriends a Sad Dog

The other day Bea was looking through some old newspapers to find interesting images for her collage projects and came across this photo of a captured and imprisoned dog.

She studied the photo for a longish time and then said: "This dog hasn't got a friend in the world."

She cut out the dog photo and then cut out a layer cake and a sun symbol from the daily weather page--she pasted the cake and the sun where the dog image could "see" them and painted the sun yellow. She asked me if I had anything glittery to make the sun brighter and I added the glitter tape to her collage.

The dog had a friend.

Tomasito


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Creative Growth

Bea and Helen at Work.

I believe that most people have a lot of creativity--even artistic creativity--bottled up in them.

But not many people are encouraged to express their creativity since it does not translate directly into more money. And since it has no outlet--instead of growing and developing it just dries up and disappears.

Our workshop gives a good opportunity to express our creativity in art and that little encouragement makes life more interesting, enjoyable and happy.

Tomasito


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Masterpiece 2

Masterpiece # 2

(Click on picture for detail)

I call the above work--the painting and it's papier mache frame--Masterpiece # 2.

The painting was done by Helen on a quick cartoon I felt-tipped on a sheet of paper.

I added some color and a coat of polymer medium to her painting--and there it is!

I have visited art galleries and museums all over the world and I believe this creation is right up there with the most interesting work in them.

Tomasito


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Bea at Work

Bea Helping with Papier Mache.

One of the enjoyable things about the Creative Workshop is the development of purpose and skill. Some of the people involved have had little "art" experience, but a long lifetime of other experience which they can draw upon in their creations.

Bea worked as a seamstress and enjoys using scissors and paper collage but is also growing more confident in drawing and painting.

She is painting watercolors which are carefully done and especially interesting because I believe she has had no formal training.

Bea draws things, not as they "should" be from a culturally conditioned artist's perspective--but from her own thoughts and opinions about how things are.

Tomasito

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Masterpiece 1

Masterpiece #1

A couple of blogs ago I showed you the materials and the method of making a cardboard pizza-box frame for a painting, and the above photo shows the completed masterpiece.

(I was tempted to put quotation marks on the word "masterpiece" (like that) but hey, it IS a masterpiece!

All of us at Tomasito's Creative Workshop agree on THAT!

Tomasito


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Papier Mache Materials

Papier Mache Materials.

We have been making rattles using different shaped containers like the empty salt box (cylinder) and the empty gelatin box (rectangular container).

Strips of newspaper and wheat paste are the only materials besides these forms to make these hand-held rattles--oh, and a little dry rice to make the sound inside the containers!

The wheat paste I use takes a handful of flour--the regular baking kind--and about three cups of water. I use a whisk to stir the flour and the water over a stove burner until the mixture starts to boil--and when it is cool it is the consistency of thick cream--I just dip the strips of newspaper into the paste--wipe of the drippy excess between my fingers and apply the paste-soaked strips to the form.

The more layers of paper the sturdier the construction.

Tomasito, 2009


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Pizza Box Picture Frame

Masking tape, box cutter and pizza boxes--picture frame!


Picture Frame Making

Bea and Helen have been working lately at watercolor paintings.

I am especially happy about this because neither has much confidence or experience with watercolor painting--and it is not so easy when you are ninety
years old to pick up a new skill.

We have progressed bit by bit and now both are enjoying the process--but we needed some frames for their finished paintings!

Lucky for us a neighbor loves pizza and has it delivered to his apartment--and the boxes are good and sturdy.

Just the thing for the creation of papier mache picture frames!

Al and I are working with the frame manufacture and Zaccai and the rest are painting and decorating the frames. They are still under weigh, but I think they are going to be terrific--well very good for pizza box picture frames anyway!

Tomasito


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Bird Vase

Papier Mache Vase h6" X b5".

The vase pictured above was made by all of the workers at my workshop--everybody had a hand in the production!

Some did the papier mache work--others painted the base coat of acrylic and others did the decorative painting.

It is really a small workshop production!

Tomasito, 2009

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test

Municipal Gallery Show

(Please click on photo for detail.)

Gallery Helper Brian Wilson and Artist Zaccai King. (Tanya photo 2009)


Municipal Gallery Show

One of the youngest exhibitors at the Municipal Gallery of Escondido, Zaccai King, discussed his interest in papier mache and art with Brian Wilson who with his wife Windy hung the show.

There were several shows opening on the same night which meant there was a good mix of artists and interested folks in attendance-lots of people mingling and every age represented from infant to ripe in years.

Good, loud music too which always seems to bring out the best in creative people.

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Fine Gallery Reception

Tomasito with Creative Workshop Works of Art. (Tanya photo, 2009)

The May 9th reception at the Municipal Gallery in downtown Escondido was very good!

There were lots of happy, friendly people and several of Escondido's mature artists and their friends were rubbing shoulders with Escondido's high school artists and their supporters --oh, it was VERY nice!

All enjoyed strawberries, cheese and crackers, wine and soft drinks and some really inspired art work.

Some young artists were cartooning on a big sheet of glass held in a vertical frame so the viewers could see both the artist and the artwork from behind the drawing! Unique. Another talented young artist did a beautiful, colorful painting of a koi fish as we watched. Excellent!

Tomasito's Creative Workshop artists were represented by our papier mache work--and our things looked fine in the gallery setting.

Since our artists cannot leave the care residence none could attend the reception but our Assistant Volunteer, Zaccai King was there with his proud parents,
brothers and sisters.

The Workshop artists were delighted to hear all about the reception and were pleased that their work was shown in the gallery.

Thanks, Windy Wilson and the Escondido Municipal Gallery for showing our creative papier mache works!

Tomasito


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Visiters

Hannah and Zaccai King and Bea Thomas.
(Tomasito photo, 2009)

We often have visiting guests atTomasito's Creative Workshop and they are welcome to join in the creative tasks of the day if they wish.

Assistant Volumteer Zakkai's younger sister Hannah helped out recently and did some drawing.

There is always plenty to do and guests like Hannah are very welcome.

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Helen Gets Vivid. (Tomasito photo, 2009)

Helen prefers to draw and paint rather than the messier art work of papier mache.

She also enjoys singing and we all admire her voice.

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Helen's Hat

Artist Helen Tries Fruit Bowl for Easter Hat. (Tomasito photo, 2009)

One of our favorite projects right now is a big papier mache fruit bowl. We formed it on a beach ball and it is presently getting painted.

We are also working on a lot of papier mache fruit to go IN the bowl.

This project has taken several weeks of papering and drying and the whole activities room is curious about what it will look like when it is finished.

Tomasito, 2009


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Invitation

Workshop Artist's Hands (Tomasito photo, 2009)

Hello, blog readers!

You are cordially invited to the opening of a new show:

"Greenwashing/Recycled Art"

at The Escondido Municipal Gallery located at 262 East Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido, CA. which opens May 8th, 2009.

The show will remain until June 9, 2009.

Phone the gallery (760) 488-4110 for hours and further information.

There will be a reception on May 9 at 5:30 pm. Be there or be square!

The artists from Tomasito's Creative Workshop which meets at the Palomar Heights Care Center will show some of their papier mache works. Some pieces will be offered for sale and the proceeds from their work will go to buy arts and crafts supplies.

The California Center for the Arts is the sponsoring organization.

Tomasito, 2009


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Engaged Work

Al Makes a Papier Mache Frame.
(Tomasito photo, 2009)

Working at an engaging task for a workshop project, Al concentrates on getting it done well.

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