Tomasito's Creative Workshop

Time Out

2011-05-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Bear Dance in Redding, CA. (Tanya photo)

We recently moved to Temecula, CA.

The scene is very different from Escondido.

I will not have a "Creative Workshop" here for a while.

I thought I might work with some handicapped folks here but their meeting place is too far for me to reach by bicycle and the gasoline prices have gotten too far out of hand for any volunteer commuting. (Or any commuting at all!)

Our nice little apartment is just too small for papier mache work. I can work on drawings and my blogs--- but messy creative work is just not good.

When some sort of studio space materializes the workshop will go on.

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Duck and Rabbit

2011-04-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

Duck Develops

Rabbit Begins

Since Easter is just around the corner, we decided to add a rabbit mask to the ducky mask we started last week.

Since everybody has had some experience with the paste and the paper we just dug in a got rolling.

When so many hands are working things get accomplished very fast--and well.

I was impressed and I think the workshop people were too.

Next session will finish these two masks, and we will go on to some other projects we have in mind.

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April First Ducky Mask

2011-04-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

Duck Mask Creation. (Tomasito Photo)

No joke!

This morning (4/1/11) we had the very first meeting of interested clients at the Westview in Temecula for a session of papier mache fun--I almost said "work".

The suggestion was that we try to make a duck mask so I demonstrated the technique of papier mache to make a wearable duck mask.

We used a paper grocery sack stuffed with wadded up newspaper for a maquette and taped on some big "eyes" of wadded newspaper and a bill of cardboard.

The group quickly got the hang of tearing newspaper strips and dipping them into good flour and water boiled paste-- and almost before we knew it-- there was a mighty ducky-looking mask!

We left it to dry over the weekend and Monday we may be able to finish it! Then we hope to get going on a bunny mask just in time for Easter.

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New Location

2011-03-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

Colonel O'Corn Mask (2008), Tomasito.

Tomasito's Creative Workshop has moved to Temecula--one of California's "new towns", which was literally not here 20 years ago and is now a busy community of 75,000 souls.

The town is designed for automobiles so we'll have to see how it handles the new world of high gas prices and more expensive transport.

But that is not the news for this blog.

The news is that our favorite workshop will begin a series of papier mache projects at the Westview center for handicapped people here in Temecula--and our first session will be on April 1, 2011! (I am tempted to say, "of course", since it is the day for all us fools!)

Our first project will be the construction of masks. The clients and staff are looking forward to something different and so am I.

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Sketch of Maria Reiche

2011-03-14T23:19:00.000-07:00

My sketch is based on a photo portrait in a book about the interesting German woman, Maria Reiche, who took it upon herself to investigate and preserve the now-famous "Nazca Lines" in Peru.

In her old age her face was a work of art--to me a wonderful thing.

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Teddy Bear

2011-02-24T12:44:00.000-08:00

This month I had the unusual good fun of creating a papier mache wall-hanging for a little boy's bedroom. The mom wanted to feature one of his favorite toys--a white stuffed teddy bear.

I have had one or two commissions since I started doing papier mache art work three years ago and this one was the most fun for me.

Since it is winter the drying time was long and since I use cardboard and newspaper in the construction, it can get to be a soggy mess if I try to hurry--so it is an exercise in patience and well as artistic skill.

The base of the hanging is a large-size pizza delivery box.

The mom was delighted with the project and so was I.

This is the wall-hanging. It has a 3D effect--with a cave behind the bear.

This close-up shows the animal pictures surrounding the bear. These are color cut-outs from magazines. I didn't use any paint in the construction.

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Watching

2011-01-04T18:19:00.000-08:00

Watching the work.

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Christmas 2010

2010-12-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

Al and Christmas Carolers.

Almost Christmas--Al and I and one lady observer are just about to fold up our papier mache work for the afternoon when a family group come into the Activities Room to sing some Christmas Carols for the old residents and patients.

It was a thoughtful gesture and, as "anything different is good" as the guy in the Groundhog Day movie says, the entertainment is much appreciated.

Christmas Child Caroler.

The old people--for some of whom this will be their last Christmas in this used-up body--are especially interested in seeing the next very young generation--singing the same old songs in the same old ways.

Things certainly don't change very much.

The Old Story.

The same old story read the same old way by the oldest member of the family troup. But it still touches you bringing back memories of your own childhood.

Maria, Gina and Therapy Bear.

For the staff, and me, and all the old timers, this was a very good thing--one of those little things that make life worth living in this fast paced Southern California world.

Thanks and Merry Christmas 2010 from Tom and Tanya!

~~...~~

New Worker

2010-12-09T18:30:00.000-08:00

Spanish Speaker

We had a new worker today.

I didn't get her name but she came right over to where we were painting and started a lively conversation with Hannah and Kaeli--in Spanish.

Of course neither of the girls knows Spanish so I told the lady that she could talk to me and I would translate if I could.

But before I could really get down to my translation skills she picked up a felt pen and started right in to work with us and she kept at it until we were packing up to go.

When the Director, Rhonda, came over to see our progress, she said that the new lady had never shown any interest in "anything like that".

Hannah and Kaeli

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Winter Solstice Celebration

2010-12-08T15:32:00.000-08:00

click on it to read the poster

We are now involved in the production of a Winter Solstice Celebration at the Grape Day Park here in Escondido.

Since this is the first time it has happened it will probably be very small--but even if a very few people actually participate it makes a start --and should be interesting and fun.

If you live in the area you are invited.

Tomasito

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Frog Kid

2010-12-04T15:56:00.000-08:00

Saturday in Grape Day Park

Kids love these papier mache masks--and EVERYONE wants to be a frog!

I have had the good fun of demonstrating the fine art of papier mache and mask making several times in Escondido's central Grape Day Park.

Sometimes I even get paid to do it!

Thanks, City of Escondido!!

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Depot Museum

2010-11-30T18:13:00.000-08:00

Depot Museum

I thought you might like to go outside a bit--since most of the blog photos I use are taken indoors at the Care facility where Tomasito's Creative Workshop meets--but a couple of weeks ago I did a papier mache demonstration in Grape Day Park in Escondido for any people who are interested in the medium.

The photo above is a view of one of the historic buildings from Escondido's past which have been moved into the park.

The photo was taken late in the afternoon--after the demonstration--so the shadows are dark, but the day was typical of the fine autumn weather here--warm, bright and sunny.

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Al Again

2010-11-24T14:52:00.000-08:00

Al Again

Al is one of the most active members of the Creative Workshop.

Sometimes we have to wake him from his after-dinner nap at 2:15 but when he is awake he is READY.

We are trying something new for us--again using pizza boxes or other cut-down cardboard boxes, we are strengthening them with iron wire and several layers of papier mache and then adding color from torn magazine photos. yarn and bright bits of cloth. We then coat the whole thing with epoxy.

It is fun, easy. and I think we are getting some interesting visual effects .

I enjoy tearing pieces of magazine and handing them to Al, He dips them in paste and applies them to the growing work in the place wherever he thinks will be the best fit.

Two of our most recent works have been accepted for show at the Escondido Municipal Gallery--which has always been supportive of our Workshop.

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Neighbors and Jason

2010-11-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

King Neighbors and Jason the Argonaut.

I wanted you to see this new papier mache mask I made. From here it went down to the Municipal Gallery and was on show there for a few days.

I made this mask especially for movement so visibility inside the mask is pretty good--the wearer can also hear and be heard. I tried to include a "megaphone effect"-- but was not as successful as I hoped. The wearer's voice is still muffled--but not as bad as usual.

I colored the mask with photos torn from magazines and newspapers--it is pretty effective and since I use very little paint it is cheaper and "greener".

It is not as heavy as it looks!

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Colleagues in Creativity

2010-11-19T09:57:00.000-08:00

Kaile and Linda.

The Dumbest Generation , by Mark Bauerlein.

I picked this book up at the library because of the title.

I always thought MY generation was the dumb one, but it seems the new generation of technology savvy kids is the generation the writer is describing--part of the "dumbing down of America" with Face-book and Twitter, etc.

He generally makes good sense, I think and has done a lot of homework--quoting surveys and studies aplenty.

He also remarks: "...instead of regarding youngsters as inferior minds and unformed egos in need of tutoring, educators should treat them as colleagues in creativity, voices at the community table with a unique perspective."

I appreciate that comment and believe that our Creative Workshop is in that direction.

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Watching

2010-11-17T14:17:00.000-08:00

Watching. (Tomasito photo 2010)

Sometimes residents of the Care facility are wheeled into viewing range of our activity work table--not necessarily to participate, but to simply watch what is going on.

I think this kind of watching is OK.

Most of the watchers are not capable of any kind of physical craft activity, but they still may be thinking. They still may be participating in some personal creative activity which is not apparent to anyone outside their own mind and watching us work may be of some benefit.

Everybody is welcome.

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Kaile Number One

2010-11-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

Kaile Drawing Number One

New Creative Workshop worker Kaile (now age seven) gave me this drawing several months ago and I recognized TALENT.

Since then she has joined our work force and has never missed a weekly session.

Nice to have you aboard, Kaile.

Tomasito

Grape Day Park Demo

2010-11-10T17:06:00.000-08:00

Brian Gibson as "Jason", me as "moo".(Tanya photo)

Friend of Tomasito's Creative Workshop, Education Director at the Escondido City Children's Museum, Brian Gibson, kindly stored an overflow of artwork done by the Workshop between the Dia de los Muertos exhibit and the "Green Scene" papier mache demonstration at the Grape Day Park.

Papier mache masks, pizza-box pictures and frames, maracas, bowls and other artwork by our small group will be shown to the public Saturday 13 November 2010 from 10 am to 3 pm.

See you there!

Tomasito

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At Fresh and Easy Market

2010-11-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

Tomakua and Eric (Tanya photo)

Today we stopped by the Fresh and Easy grocery store and had a photo snapped with the manager, Eric, and me wearing our Tomakua papier mache mask. (See the Hawaiian luau dance at the Palomar Care Center a few posts ago to view the dancing mask in action.)

The reason we did this is because the mask is colored with papier mache advertisements from the market--no paint.

Eric was impressed, I think by our use of recycled paper--especially since Fresh and Easy is a "green" store.

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Kaeli

2010-11-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

Kaeli REALLY likes art--and the best art medium for her is PAINT!

When there is any choice in activities, she grabs a brush and a selection of tempera paints and goes at it.

We are making some nice, gooey papier mache constructions with absolutely no regard for pictorial content and she is getting nicely into the spirit of things by mixing vivid background colors on cardboard to add a nice dimension to the stuff we paste on--gobs of newsprint, shreds of cardboard, cotton yarn and anything else around which seems to want to be part of our non-objective world view.

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Cabbage Patch Dolly

2010-10-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

Tomasito Photo 2010

~:~

New Face

2010-10-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

Kaili. (Tomasito photo)

Here's another new face at the workshop.

Kaili is seven years old and loves art.

She is the sister of Zak and Hannah--quite a family team!

She jumps right in with the creative juices flowing and doesn't mind getting her paws pasty wet and that's a GOOD SIGN of a REAL artist!

Welcome to our workshop, Kaili !

Tomasito

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New Face

2010-09-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

New Face. (Tomasito photo 2010)

This new Face is only two weeks old.

Some of the older faces I have been posting lately are in their nineties.

Doesn't LIFE do some strange things to our bodies?

The LIFE though--the LIFE in those bodies just seems to go on and on, don't it?

Best wishes, Tomasito.

~:~

Kissy-face Dog

2010-09-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

Kissy-face Dog

Sometimes unexpected pleasures arrive when we are doing our artwork.

One of the friends of the old-timers at the care facility brought in a very cute little dog and some of the residents went ape over it.

The doggie seemed just as interested in kissing the people!

~:~

Lady in Blue

2010-09-07T18:00:00.000-07:00

Ready Resident.

Some of the long-time residents stop by to watch and I usually try to lure them into making a few strokes with a pencil or felt-tip pen--not always successfully, of course.

I communicate with this lady with shrugs and smiles and she never had talked to me until I did this quick sketch of her as she watched us work.

She whispered: "That's good".

Wasn't that nice?

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Mary Observes

2010-09-01T08:03:00.001-07:00

Mary Observes.

Care Center resident Mary stopped by to observe the artists working in our Creative Workshop. This is the first time she has spent any time observing and she seemed to enjoy it because she stayed for over an hour.

Mary never talks but sometimes laughs when she is pleased with something.

She was not to be coaxed into participating at all--maybe next time...

~:~

Luau

2010-08-31T17:28:00.001-07:00

ALOHA Resident.

There was a Hawaiian Luau celebration at the care center last week.

It was a good success.

So nice to see some of the old Hawaiian dances performed by professionals and hear the same old songs after lo these many years!

The residents enjoyed the colors and the dancing I think--though sometimes it is not easy to see if they actually know what is going on. The activities staff had spent a lot of time decorating and getting all the arrangements made. A special Hawaiian-style meal was served too.

I had the great fun of dressing up in a papier mache mask and dancing a simple hula--that's the only kind I know!

~:~

Nick

2010-08-25T19:35:00.001-07:00

Nick Assists With Papier Mache. (Tomasito photo 2010)

We have had a new young Assistant Caretaker come into the care facility to help us out recently.

His name is Nick and he is twelve years old.

Nick was a student in the sixth grade last year at the school where I taught a papier mache mask making class--and he REMEMBERED how to do it! Was I ever impressed!

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asd

Richard's Third Sermon

2010-08-24T17:02:00.001-07:00

Richard's Sermon 3

Richard Lion Heart Preaching. (Tomasito photo 2010)

Sermon Number Three

Richard came to our Creative Workshop again and preached another sermon from his electric-powered wheelchair.

Since he has officially died twice and has returned, he believes, to help mankind, especially children, through preaching--I thought it might be a good thing to record some of his sermons which are delivered to me personally since I am the one there-but he feels the words he proclaims are for everybody--and he is fulfilling his mission by preaching.

So I am merely passing his sermons on. He says that "every day is a gift from God". and he is absolutely sincere and in a position to at least hope that his own words are true.

The above pictures are Richard's paintings (he can only move his right hand a little) and my notes. TW

~~~

Richard says: "The Lord is merciful and forgiving, Thomas. I have died twice and am not afraid of death. It is restful.

This world was created with love. We must humble ourselves. Our names are written in the Book of Life and if your name is not there--you are out. Hell IS eternal death, Thomas, so we must trust and obey. But remember, His mercy is brand new every morning.

I overdosed on my 31st birthday. I was addicted to pain medication which I got from dentists by telling them I had toothache. I died but was sent back by the Lord to help children understand The Way and so here I am,

THIS world will pass away, but HIS world is forever.

We can't walk alone--we must walk by faith.

These earthquakes and wars are signs of the Last Days, Thomas--you are not supposed to covet anything but The Lord.

I am telling you the truth. He is SO merciful.

This world is dirty--I don't even watch TV any more. I spend my time talking to The Lord.

God is Spirit. Spirit, Thomas.

Children make friends so easy--that's why we gotta become like children.

I used to break into houses to get money for drugs, but I am a new man now and forgiven by God. I'm not afraid of God any more.

What we have here now is mass confusion. Heaven is a new world--it is like a garden.

The Lord weeps for us and feels our pain. He let me have the pain of a heart attack so I would know God and it woke me up. Apostle Paul said it best--God woke him up too and he knew the love of God.

When I died I felt the love of God so strong--it is awesome.

When I died I was instantly in paradise. The flesh dies, the spirit, no.

When you pass away, you have a new body Thomas.

I had shingles and it was excruciating--like I was carrying the sins of the world on my back. We can't conceive of how the mind of God works. Jesus was born into this world to die for us.

My dad was an alcoholic. He walked out on us when I was a child--a bad choice for him. I am from a sick family. The choices you make every day affect your whole life. I have forgiven all my family, Thomas.

Trust the Lord in all your ways, Thomas.

In the Book it says that when Moses saw God's BACK Moses' face glowed so strong people couldn't look at him.

God is all light. I saw Satan get fired and thrown out--the King of Demons. I saw him, Thomas. God cast him down to earth and he tempted Eve to eat the forbidden pear fruit.
We make choices every day--God is love and the Spirit of Truth.

Richard (Lion Heart) August 19 2010.

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Ugly Bug Mask

2010-08-18T19:14:00.001-07:00

Mary Tries Ugly Bug Mask. (Tomasito photo)

I took my latest mask--which looks now like a classic "Ugly Bug"--to show to some friends at the Light and Life School Office next door and Mary, the Secretary, wanted to try it on--so I got this shot of the still unfinished mask being demonstrated on a real live model!

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Sermon Number 2, Richard Lion-heart

2010-08-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

Richard Lion-heart. (Tomasito photo, 2010)

Richard came to our creative workshop again and delivered his second sermon from his wheel-chair while he drew.

This time I took notes (right on his drawing) a bit more carefully and had my young "Assistant Volunteer" Nick help out.

~~~

"I'm an ex-drug addict saved by the Lord.

I have died twice but have come back. God told me that if I would come back he would bless me. God sent me back for the kids, Thomas--to give them a second chance.

God loves us so much He sent Himself in His son. You can't scorn Him.

God gives us all the chances we need--you don't have to worry about that, Thomas.

The colors in heaven are alive, Thomas. They move. They jump around!

I've been here (care center) for 20 years. I overdosed and went into a coma for six and a half months. They brought me here And I have been here ever since. God stripped me of my legs but it has been a blessing.

My mother abandoned me when I was five years old. She spit in my face and said she wished I had never been born I was raised by my Grandmother. My father was a Cherokee Indian, an alcoholic--he killed people. My brother enjoyed hurting people. He would beat them up.

Things always come back on you. That's why you should be good to people, Thomas. That's why you gotta love people. What you do TO people WILL come back to you, Thomas.

God laid out the plan for Adam and Eve, but they didn't do it. God has lots of chances. God gives you LOTS of chances. Eventually you will do it right.

Jesus KNEW he would have to suffer. He begged not to have to do it--but it was the only way. It is no joke. Jesus didn't die for nothing.

On September 27 I am going home--to give hope to the poor and sight to the blind. No more narcotics!

God wants them to know that dying is easy--living is hard, Thomas.

~~~

Nick took three notes while Richard spoke.

1) God is love.
2) Don't hate.
3) Every breath we have is a gift from God.

...

God loves us so much He sent Himself in His son. You can't scorn Him.

Director's Mask Update

2010-08-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Director's Mask. (Tanya photo)

On my July 14 blog I showed you a papier mache mask I am making for myself--that is designed to fit ME comfortably.

It is coming along slowly but nicely, I think--though it is a bit larger and heavier than I expected.

I hope to wear it for some sort of ceremonial "do" sometime fairly soon.

I'll keep you posted.

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Al at Easel

2010-08-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

Al at Easel

Al has graduated to painting at an easel!

Only a few months ago Al had never thought of himself as an artist--now he is boldly painting AT AN EASEL! (And from his wheel-chair to boot!)

He has become the "ALPHA DOG" of our creative workshop. Good for you, Al!

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Sermon 1, Richard Lion Heart.

2010-08-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

Richard Lion Heart at drawing Desk
"The Holy Spirit is drawing this, I'm not." Richard says.

First Painting, Richard Lion Heart. (Tomasito photo.)

Today for the first time Richard Lion Heart came to the Creative Workshop.

Richard is pretty severely handicapped, but can move around in an electric wheelchair. His right hand can function somewhat and he talks clearly though quite rapidly.

As I mentioned a few days ago, he has clinically died twice but he says that he was sent back "because he has a lion-heart...to preach." and that he does with all his power.

~~~

Sermon Number One

By Rickard Lion-heart

"In the few minutes I was dead I went to heaven and it was so beautiful that it would be a crime for me to explain how beautiful it is. But I can tell you it is warm and lovely."

"When you are in the womb, God has a plan for your life."

"God loves children and the Holy Spirit is breath so when you are born the Holy Spirit enters you with your first breath."

"Hope is a big word--an awesome word. I haven't walked for twenty years but I now have feeling in my toes and I am studying to be a preacher--that's why I returned from the dead."

"Man destroys what he doesn't understand and this breaks God's heart."

"Our last breath here is our first breath in heaven. God is love. This is not a joke."

~~~

Well, it has all probably been said before, but The Great Spirit, thru Richard Lion Heart is a dynamite preacher.

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Manicure

2010-08-02T11:35:00.001-07:00

Hands across the years. (Tomasito photo, 2010)

Useful, beautiful, creative tools these hands--young and old.

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Gina

2010-07-24T20:36:00.000-07:00

Gina Helps

There are a lot of hard-working employees at the care facility where I hold my "Creative Workshop" like bi-lingual Gina. (In California bilingual means English/Spanish.)

Gina keeps things light and moving--crafts, discussions, personal care (shown above) holiday celebrations--she is on hand to plan and facilitate everything that comes up which can be labeled "activities".

Good going, Gina!

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Looie

2010-07-22T20:11:00.001-07:00

"Looie".

Here's Looie. (Tomas photo, 2010)

Louie sort of lives in a world of his own--but he enters the usual humdrum world of the rest of us during the two afternoons of the week when BINGO is played.

He plays seriously with a slight language handicap since the numbers are called in English and he is a Spanish speaker.

To make sure he has the right number he repeats every call--in English with a strong Spanish accent.

His hearing is not too keen either so he is often wrong but this adds a sort of odd flavor to the game which is missing when he does not appear.

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Sleeping

2010-07-21T17:58:00.001-07:00

Sleeping.

Sleeping is sometimes the best thing to do at a care facility.

Sometimes it is the only thing to do.

Time passes--hours--days--weeks...

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Hiding

2010-07-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hiding

It is a problem in a care facility.

There is no place to go to be alone when you want to be.

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Artist Al

2010-07-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Al Carrillo at Work.

One of the pleasant surprises when I returned to the care home activities room after my vacation was to see Al painting in water color! This is one of the skills that he was developing before my vacation and I thought he would forget about it when I was gone--but there he was with a brush in his hand!

There is a big easel (for posting announcements) in the room and I have some thick-leaded graphite drawing pencils and I think he can reach large pieces of paper if I clip them to the easel so I will soon help him increase his drawing skills in large.

I am curious to see if he enjoys this.

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Richard Lionheart

2010-07-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Richard Lionheart. (Tomasito photo, 2010)

Richard is one of the long-time residents (17 years!) of the care facility where I do my "Creative Workshop".

Richard, who calls himself "Lionheart" is a VERY born again variety of Christian.

He is studying to be a minister and he takes every opportunity of explaining that he has personally given his heart over to Jesus.

He expects The Lord to return in a cloud in the same manner as He left soon.

Richard says that he has clinically died three times and each time he was assured on the other side that his work was not done here and so he was resuscitated to be a living voice.

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My Director's Mask

2010-07-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

Masked Me. (Tomas photo, 7/14/2010)

I went by the old people's care home a few days ago--after a month or so vacation.

Nothing much has changed. Most of the same residents are there.

The Activities staff were glad to see me.

It was kind of good to see the people again--we have become sort of friends.

It has also been very good not to cross the street to do the art things for a while. The place is enough like a hospital that the sights and smells are not always so pleasant--but, of course, I HAVE chosen to be a volunteer there after all--so what did I expect?

Anyway, I have been working a little bit on papier mache--and I have spent some hours on my own mask. A mask to wear when I am directing a masked performance.

I made the mouth into a sort of megaphone--made the ear-holes large enough to hear everything around and opened the eye holes wider than on any other mask I have made.

I plan to make it a fairly comfortable wearing thing too--so I can actually enjoy putting it on.

I don't know when I will have the opportunity to actually USE it, but if I do I will be ready.

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Bodhidharma and Smiley Face

2010-07-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

Zen Master Bodhidharma Mask and Smiley Face Ballo0n
(Tomasito photo, 2010)

One of our all-time favorite people is this good old Zen Master--who maybe never even lived but who is nonetheless well remembered--the great Bodhidharma.

This papier mache mask based on an ancient artist's representations of his face hangs on our living room wall to remind us of the masters who have gone on but are not forgotten.

Best wishes to you too, traveler!

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Bear Mask Finished

2010-07-02T14:27:00.001-07:00

Growl!

I thought you would like to see this fine papier mache bear mask in its finished state.

This is how it was displayed in the Light and Life School Art Show a few weeks ago.

Amazing, isn't it how keenly kids pick up on new skills in art?

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Creative Kids

2010-06-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

"Bros" (Tomasito photo 2010)

Of course. when the camera comes out, the kids ham it up!

Sixth graders don't change very much--and they sure do like "being creative" in EVERY way!

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Mask Display

2010-06-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

Rain Forest Critters. (Tomasito photo 2010)

Here are some of the papier mache masks created by some sixth graders a few weeks ago.

The school sponsored art art show for the parents and the masks made a nice display.

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Easy Does It

2010-06-27T14:10:00.001-07:00

A Steady Hand (Tomas Photo, 2010)

Probably the most fun step in creating objects with papier mache is putting on the final paint.

This young artist has discovered a unique way to steady his hand!

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Bear Mask

2010-06-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Finishing the Bear Mask

This sixth-grader is adding the final touches to his papier mache project.

I didn't even have to suggest he get right down on his knees to make it good!

And look at all those TEETH! (I asked him if his father was a dentist and he said "no".)

The class project was to make masks of critters in the South American rain forests, but they followed their whims after they really got started--besides a work of art reaches a point where IT tells the ARTIST what to do next!

This mask obviously wanted to be a BEAR!

...

Grape Day Park Tomasito

2010-06-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hello, Readership.

The below information was sent to the art community of Escondido. thought some of you might be interested.

I am still on vacation from my blogs. Best wishes,

Tomas.

Art in the park, Paper Mache with Thomas Wold

Artist Joshua Gagliardi in Grape Day Park

Upcoming June 12th, 2- 4pm

Recycled Art

Paper mache is fun and easy and very earth friendly. Tomas will help you turn yesterday's news into today's art project. Tomas has been schooled in the Southwest, Europe and who knows where else. His influences are international and his masks are incredible.

A little bit of information about Grape Day Park:

Since the early 1930s, Grape Day Park, Escondido's oldest park, has been the center for community events and activities. Every year from 1908 to 1950, people from as far away as Los Angeles came to celebrate the annual Grape Day Harvest, a major industry in the Escondido valley. The park continues its tradition as the center for community gatherings. It is a registered landmark and home to a turn-of-the-century working barn, Santa Fe Railroad depot, blacksmith shop, and other historic buildings, museums, and monuments.

Time Out

2010-05-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

Me. (Tanya photo)

Dear Readership,

I am going to take a few weeks off from blogging but...
(Arnold Schwarzenegger voice:) I'll be back!

The best of the best to you!

Thomas F. Wold

...

Creative Growth

2010-05-05T11:32:00.001-07:00

Papier Mache @ School.

I have had the fun of taking "Tomasito's Creative Workshop" on the road this week with a three or four day papier mache mask-making session at a local private intermediate school.

(I have had too much experience of the "train wreck" which is the public schools in California to want to experience more of THAT!)

The kids enjoyed working in what was to most of them a new creative medium and I enjoyed seeing first hand what the new crop of kids are like and demonstrating for them some of the arcane skills of making papier mache masks.

About the new crop of kids: nothing has changed very much it seems from when I was that age except now I am the older generation.

I suppose the older generation of my youth who taught me what little I know of "art" had higher hopes about US--but it seems we have turned out to be pretty much the same as THEY were--though some of us--including me--have tried to grow in creative ways to the best of our ability.

But if we as a species are going to overcome the extreme ecological problems we have caused for ourselves and the earth by our careless lifeways, we are going to have to learn to change somewhat faster and in more creative ways it seems to me.

...

Family Help

2010-05-04T19:19:00.001-07:00

Everybody at Work

Seven-year-old artist Katya could only stay with us a half hour in our last meeting but she is so calm and focused that she completed a large page of colorful paper weaving to take home.

Some of her family appeared just before she left and pitched right in to help.

Everyone likes to decorate things and to make things more beautiful!

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Paper Weaving

2010-05-02T17:05:00.000-07:00

Bright Border

The very colorful border for yesterday's blog is a bit of woven construction paper.

I found the idea for this project in a book from the public library: "Creative Paper Crafts in Color" by Chester Alkema.

This is a very nice little book full of projects and practical advice for producing the projects for kids and adults--just what the doctor ordered for us.

The bright border above helps show some of the interesting effects which come from weaving varieties of papers together.

The youngest of our workers is seven years old and she got the hang of it quickly and made a couple of very creditable woven sheets in the half-hour or so of the time she had.

We will probably do more of this soon.

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Vivid Alberto

2010-05-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

Alberto--one of the long-time residents--stops by to observe our work almost every day--but today he surprised all of us by sitting down to watch.

Alberto NEVER sits!

He was so amused by Al's painting of a pizza-box picture frame that he just couldn't help it. I suppose.

Since he was sitting--almost for a portrait--I thought I would go ahead and sketch him. And since Al was painting anyway, he finished the cartoon with watercolor.

And here it is. Vivid Alberto!

...

Mary Thinks It Over

2010-04-29T11:03:00.001-07:00

Mary Thinks It Over

Resident Mary came over to watch us "being creative" for a few minutes yesterday and, when invited, made a mark or two on a cartoon with a red felt-tip pen.

That's a start anyway.

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San Martin

2010-04-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

Al Paints San Martin

Al has only been working with watercolors a few hours but he is really enjoying the process.

So far he works mainly with pre-set designs and applies the color as he sees fit.

He may try making his own designs sometime soon.

...

Watercolor Al

2010-04-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

Watercolor Al

Al told me today that he is developing cataracts and so expects to go blind sometime.

Meantime he is learning to paint with watercolor better and better.

There have been several excellent blind piano players--I wonder if he would like to learn to play a keyboard?

...

Holy Family Picture

2010-04-19T20:38:00.001-07:00

Holy Family Pizza Box

The picture above is framed in one of our recycled pizza-box frames.

The picture itself was inspired by a folk-art rendering of the Holy Family--Joseph, the carpenter with a carpenter's square--Mary as a sort of middle-Eastern housewife, and a bright little boy pointing up to heaven--with a dove hovering over all.

This work was finished by most of the people involved in our Creative Workshop.

It is dedicated to our "colorista" Mary--who decorated the cartoon with felt-tip pens and who has gone on to greater things.

It presently hangs in an office at the Light and Life church in Escondido, CA.

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Zaccai Geometer

2010-04-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

Zaccai Geometer.

While Hannah has been working on the details of our Papier Mache Aztec Temple/Pyramid, Zaccai has been practicing his geometry skills.

He always does a little more than is required to finish his drawings.

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Kids is Kids

2010-04-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

Kids is Kids.

Posing for our finished Aztec Temple project photo, the kidness of our young scholars got the best of them. The above is the true reaction to our distinguished project!

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Aztec Temple

2010-04-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hannah, Al, Zaccai, Aztec Temple.

We finished our papier mache Aztec Temple and here it is. (It may LOOK like a wedding cake, but it isn't!)

We were all impressed by the truly fantastic conquering of the Aztec empire by Hernan Cortes's small force of treasure hunters--and by the subsequent historic development of Mexico as a modern American nation.

I personally appreciate the opportunity to re-study this amazing five hundred-year old series of events along with our two home-study kids.

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New and Old

2010-04-09T16:28:00.001-07:00

New and Old

Strange what eighty-odd years will do to a person, isn't it?

But here we are all together "being creative" as well as we can --breathing the same air and maybe even dreaming the same dreams.

To Life!

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Finished Wolf Mask

2010-04-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

Painted Wolf of Gubbio Mask.

We had the fun of painting the Wolf of Gubbio mask yesterday.

This final step in the creation of a papier mache mask is almost always the most fun.

By this stage the "hard work" of developing the shape and applying the multiple layers of paste-soaked newspaper strips and the many hours of drying time has been completed--and now we just enjoy the decoration of the mask!

Now we will get together with the players and develop the drama for which this mask was created.

Wish us well!

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Wolf Mask

2010-04-03T15:42:00.001-07:00

Wolf of Gubbio Mask

We were asked to create a mask for a play about Saint Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio for kids.

So here it is--unpainted at this time but nice and solid for wear!

It fits me nicely so I expect most kids and adults could wear it.

...

asd

2010-03-27T15:01:00.001-07:00

Hannah and Purple Choo-choo.

Whenever Hannah is finished with other projects, she likes to bead.

This time something new happened when she and Zaccai discovered that they could bead with colorful pipe cleaners and beads using a braiding system.

We were all very pleased with the bright new bracelets--never saw anything like 'em!

In the foreground is our finished papier mache choo-choo train engine which we also pleased with.

Have a Creative Day!

...

Aloha Margaret

2010-03-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

Zaccai, Margaret, Hannah.

Today, Friday March 26, 2010, is Margaret's LAST DAY working in the Activities Room at the care center where we meet as a creative workshop. As I said a couple of days ago, she has been on the job for 14 years--so she is an institution here.

We gave her two pizza-box framed pictures made by workshop people and a big, colorful papier mache bowl which we made last year.

Margaret has a very kind and friendly nature which everyone appreciates.

She has saved newspapers for our papier mache projects for us and has always been pleasant and supportive.

Aloha, Margaret and bon voyage!

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Aloha Margaret

2010-03-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

Aloha, Margaret.

Friday, March 26, 2010, is Margret's LAST DAY at the care center where our creative workshop meets.

She has been doing the "activities" thing there for 14 years! And THAT takes a LOT of heart!

We all wish her all the best and know that she leaves with a lot of "stars in her crown"!

ALOHA, Margaret!

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Montezuma's Pyramid

2010-03-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

Montezuma's Pyramid.

Our home-school kids are now studying the Spanish Conquest of Mexico.

To help visualize some of the amazing pre-conquest buildings made by the Aztecs, we are making our own little papier mache pyramid--using bread-stick boxes again since we still have lots of them.

It is well known that Montezuma and his priests and advisers believed in a prophecy that one of their founding gods, Quetzalcoatl, was going to return from the east and destroy their civilization and bring forth a new one. (One which would not need or allow human sacrifices,)

And it is quite a coincidence that Cortes appeared on the shores of Mexico in the very year predicted!

Of course, we know that bearded Spaniard Hernan Cortes was no "Return of Quetzalcoatl", or was he?

He, with his soldiers in armor, horses, war dogs, crossbowman, cannon and harquebusiers sure made an impression on the mighty Aztecs--and did, in an unexpected, but in a practally miraculous way, end one civilization and start another.

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Katya Back

2010-03-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

Katya.

We are very glad to have Katya back!

This young artist seems to know exactly what she needs to do--and she gets right with it!

No dainty little puny paint brushes for her either--she goes right to the biggest we have and chooses THAT one for her work!

And no little dabs of paint on a sissy palette! She goes to the BIG containers and pours out enough in a dish to really get going with!

I think Katya is a REAL artist!!

...

asd

Kaeli Checks In

2010-03-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

Kaeli's Coloring

Another neighbor kid, 7 year old Kaeli, wants to join the young artists in in our "Creative Workshop".

She gave me the above picture as proof of her talent, and her mother says when she is older she can join us.

Isn't that how life is? Two of our old-timers passed on last week and a young one wants to join and to be a creative artist as soon as she can.

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Choo-choo Beginning

2010-03-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

Basic Choo-choo.

These cardboard bread-stick boxes and a cleaning powder can wanted to be a choo-choo train engine--so we stuck 'em together with tape, coated 'em with papier mache---and as soon as we paint 'em, we'll show you a choo-choo train engine!

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Elsie Gone

2010-03-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

Elsie Drawing.

We learned today that Elsie, one of the residents who helped out occasionally with our Creative Workshop, passed away last week.

She was a long-time friend of Al and would often roll to his side in her wheel chair to check his progress with painting or papier mache work.

...

Maria Passes

2010-03-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

Maria Coloring

We have learned that Maria, who did such fine coloring work with our Creative Workshop until she left for another care facility nearer her family several weeks ago, has left her body.

Maria had a wonderful gift of color and though her vision was failing, she very much enjoyed using bright felt-tip coloring pens to complete black and white cartoons--especially those with religious themes.

I have the completed picture which she was working on in the above photograph mounted in one of our pizza-box frames hanging beside my computer monitor as I write this.

Thanks, Maria.

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Elsie Helps

2010-03-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

Elsie Helping.

Elsie was an amateur artist in her life before coming to the care center. She keeps a very nice portrait painting of her daughter which she painted years ago in her room.

She occasionally stops by the Creative Workshop area of the Activities Room to see what we are up to and sometimes feels like helping us work.

In the photo above she was coloring some cards we were making to send to ill residents and others.

Last week she suffered a bad night and was taken to the hospital. She has not returned yet and is much missed by all of us and most especially by her old friend Al.

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Papier Mache Car

2010-03-09T17:41:00.000-08:00

Zaccai Paints Papier Mache Car.

We are VERY fond of dollar store bread sticks and we always save their nice, long cardboard boxes to use for our papier mache projects.

We have discovered that the boxes are just right for making toys--like cars, trains and even boats! (Just keep 'em out of the water!)

So now we are well launched on papier mache toy-making!

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Faithful Al

2010-03-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

Faithful Al

Here's our faithful Al putting Polymer Medium Gloss on one of our signature pizza-box picture frames.

To our surprise and delight another art lover and patron from the Municipal Art Gallery bought one of the frames a couple of weeks ago!

We use the money for paint and an occasional "good work" banana!

Al is continuing his interest in art by coloring commercial coloring pages with crayons or felt-tip pens before and after our regular work time.

He is surprising himself with his creations. "Its the first time I have done anything like this." He says.

His work and even temper are always good for all of us.

...

asdf

Pink Elephant

2010-03-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

Pink Elephant!

Hannah has been visiting relatives in Texas for the last week or so and has just returned to complete her papier mache "sort of elephant" mask--painting it pink with purple polka-dots.

Good job, Hannah!

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Mongol Horseman

2010-03-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

Mongol Horseman

This is the first project we have done using salt dough.

Salt dough is a modeling medium composed of flour, water and salt. It is fairly inexpensive and models like cookie dough.

Zaccai is studying the history of Asia and is very interested in the Mongol warriors of Genghis Kahn and his ilk--so this is our attempt to make a model Mongol Horseman.

Under the dough skin is a wire and aluminum foil form. The whole is painted with watercolor.

We have not baked the figure for a longer lasting artwork--but only allowed it to sun-dry. We will have to see how well it holds up. Baking (250 degrees for several hours) is just too expensive.

Zaccai did most of the modeling and painting work.

...

Young Pirate

2010-02-28T18:49:00.000-08:00

Young Pirate

Zaccai is always ready with some humorous antics which always make the old timers laugh.

He is menacingly carrying his cardboard sword--ready to swarm into the rigging of his imaginary ship. Avast ye hearties!

The sword will be covered with papier mache and finished with aluminum foil--just the thing for imaginary swashbuckling skirmishes!

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Resident Browser

2010-02-27T21:27:00.001-08:00

Resident Browser

I was working on one of our pizza-box picture frames when this resident browser stopped by for a look-see--sometimes she runs her fingers over the gluey fresh papier mache work and makes a face, but I have never gotten her to join the fun of producing any art.

She always carries her dolly--I guess to remind her of other times and places.

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Curious Bystander

2010-02-24T12:19:00.001-08:00

Curious Bystander

Some of the residents at the care center have been there for years (Al has been there for 12 years!).

Other people come and go quite frequently---only with us for days or a few weeks.

But almost everyone who can stops by the tables where our creative workshop meets to watch us paint, draw or model with papier mache or salt dough.

Everybody seems to enjoy the stimulation of art and creativity.

I believe that deep down everyone is an artist or at least an art lover--and this is part of the "human condition".

It is good to be a part of the creative processes that create "something beautiful"--even if it is only beautiful in the mind of the creator!

...

Mongol Horseman

2010-02-22T18:05:00.000-08:00

Zaccai and Model Mongol Horseman

Zaccai's home-school history lesson now is about the days of Genghis Khan and his Asiatic horsemen which conquered so much of Asia in the ninth century AD.

We thought it would be interesting to make a miniature rider and horse in the costume of the Mongol horsemen.

We are trying flour and salt clay instead of our usual papier mache for the model--it seems better for small work and fine details--well, we'll see.

We made an iron-wire (construction wire) armature and covered it with the "clay". To save baking electricity we are experimenting with sun-dried "salt-flour clay". Usually these little creations take at least several hours of oven baking at 250 degrees--but that's pretty pricy for school work--which doesn't have to last forever!

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New Artist

2010-02-20T13:15:00.001-08:00

Katya

We welcomed a new artist to our Creative Workshop on Thursday. Katya is seven years old and is the daughter of one of the working women at the care facility where we meet.

She speaks Spanish as well as English and is an avid watercolorist.

Her mother said that Tamara wanted a watercolor paint set for Christmas and nothing else! That is the sure sign of a REAL artist!

When paints and paper are set before her she goes right to work. She is very self-motivated and seems to have in mind exactly what she wants to create. To my way of thinking--that is another sure sign of an artist.

...

Mary

2010-02-17T16:55:00.001-08:00

Mary

One of the residents, Mary, stopped by our work area today. She never does any artwork--but is sometimes curious about what we are doing.

Today she said she would be willing to try drawing--but when I put the paper and felt-tip pen handy for her --she changed her mind.

Since she was there I did a quick sketch of her.

You gotta watch out when you get near our workshop! You draw or be drawn!

...

Old Teachers

2010-02-11T11:09:00.001-08:00

As you know, we have two neighborhood home-school kids who meet with our workshop group twice a week at the care center across the street.

As their tutor, I ask myself: What do these children need to know?

Maybe a better question is: What does THIS child need to know? Because to me every child is different--and every individual needs to know different things.

Lucky--we don't have a classroom here loaded with 35 kids all the same age but all with different needs!

Two kids is almost perfect--one teacher for two children--brother and sister a year or so apart in age!

The old people are also there--but just there. Their day is almost done. They watch the kids with more or less interest--some may try to communicate a little--but mostly they are just there in their wheelchairs.

Maybe THAT is the lesson they are teaching--and it may be a powerful teaching--a lesson stronger than I could ever teach in words or diagrams. They teach by their presence.

Old people darshan, maybe?

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Time Out

2010-02-10T09:27:00.001-08:00

Several times a week different ambulances pick up or deliver patients to the care facility where Tomasito's Creative Workshop meets.

The elderly persons who participate in our creative work are reminded constantly that life is time-limited. Whatever we can do--we should do now because there may not be a "later".

This is not just a memento for the old, of course, since none of us knows how many moments we have left to "run and play in these beautiful fields".

...

1930 Model T

2010-02-09T17:37:00.001-08:00

Tanya photo

Not everyone ends up in a care facility.

We were grocery shopping yesterday and saw this beautifully restored Model T Ford in the store's parking lot. We walked over and had a chat with its owner.

That proud owner of same is in the photo with me. (I am the one in the brown shoes.)

He said he bought one just like it brand new when he was 15 years old in 1930 for $500.oo then last year--many cars and years later--he got a phone call from his grandsons who said: "Grandpa go outside. We sent you a present and it is loaded on a truck! And, of course, the present was the Model T which they had restored for him.

Nice, huh?

He said not many 15 year-old kids these days would--or could--do that. I guess not since there are about a thousand people living in California now for every one in 1930!

(He also said the price of gasoline back then was about 8 gallons for a dollar.)

...

2010-02-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

Flowers in Vase (mixed media). Tomasito's Creative Workshop

Every time we get together, creative things happen.

What starts out as one thing might become another as different people have a chance to work on the same project.

The above started out as a watercolor rendering but was changed (improved) by one or two other artists who had a go at the painting.

I like this finished mixed media product.

All it needs now is one of our classic pizza-box frames!

...

We should mention that our good and faithful worker, Bea--our 91-year-old artistic sensation--has moved to another care facility to be nearer to her children. Bon Voyage, Bea--it was good to have you here!

...

Wheelchair-bound Life

2010-02-04T16:54:00.000-08:00

Acrylic-marking pen Picture by Tomasito's Creative Workshop

Most of the residents at the care home where Tomasito's Creative Workshop meets are wheelchair-bound.

Life for these adults (There are no children or young people) is circumscribed by the limits of the long central hallway, their shared small resident's rooms (usually two residents per room), the exercise room and the large dining room/activities room. All of the residents receive 24 hour medical care, medications, physical therapy and counseling. They are fed, bathed, changed, dressed and groomed with haircuts, fingernail care and so forth.

There is easy access to television, games, etc. for all--as well as weekly religious services and occasional professional entertainment and seasonal parties.

The few ambulatory residents are variously physically or mentally challenged so all external doors are alarmed or constantly watched for the resident's safety.

Caring for the residents is a business. All the official care personnel are hourly or contract employees--all have the qualifying levels of documented skills for their function. The facility is kept scrupulously clean and all the employees are polite and smiling. It is a business.

So it is.

...

Strange Animals

2010-02-02T12:56:00.001-08:00

Strange Animals

Al did the watercolor work again on the above folk-art inspired cartoon.

He is ready to tackle just about anything watercolory now!

...

Bird Woman

2010-01-29T17:46:00.001-08:00

Zaccai with Sacajawea Project Objects

Sacajawea was known as the Bird Woman so we made a papier mache model of a bird in her honor and we used an old symbol of a bird to represent her in this scholastic project.

One of my favorite wise travelers, the anthropologist Loren Eisley said "We are in a creative universe. Let us then create."

It is good to have some time every week for pure creativity, isn't it?

...

Demo Cartoon

2010-01-28T10:57:00.001-08:00

Demo Cartoon 1. (Zaccai)

Zaccai was demonstrating his pen and ink drawing technique during the Creative Workshop session a few days ago.

He likes the control and the quickness of this medium.

...

Shoshone Village Project

2010-01-27T16:38:00.000-08:00

Hannah Completes Her Shoshone Village Project

Sacagawea's Shoshone Village

For the last few sessions of our Creative Workshop, we have all been helping Hannah with this paper representation of Sacagawea's home village.

Sacagawea, a Shoshone Native American acted as interpreter for the Lewis and Clarke discovery expedition, crossing the Shining Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. She was able to obtain horses from her home village which made the difficult journey possible.

We have learned with Hannah that Sacagawea, The Bird Woman, was only about sixteen years of age when she and her infant son and trapper husband joined the famous Lewis and Clark expedition.

Beside being alert, brave and strong, Sacagawea is known as the first woman in America to vote since it is recorded that she voted for a place to spend the winter as an equal with the mostly military men of the mission.

She died of a fever in 1812 at the age of twenty-five, several years after the successful completion of the journey.

"Mitakuye oyasin" (We are all related).

...

Watercolor Animal

2010-01-24T12:27:00.000-08:00

Watercolor Animal

About a month ago, Al had never held a watercolor brush in his hand--now he is willing to tackle a fairly detailed color-in cartoon project (above).

Isn't that SOMETHING?

The cartoon was inspired by one of the folk art works in the local Mingei Museum.

...

Maria

2010-01-23T09:50:00.001-08:00

Maria

This painting was done mainly by Maria, our colorista who has left our care facility.

We have framed it with lively color in one of our papier mache pizza-box frames.

The size is about 13X13 inches--just about right for an accent decoration in a "Southwestern Style" room.

...

Swiss Chalet

2010-01-22T13:04:00.000-08:00

Swiss Chalet

This "Swiss Chalet", done in papier mache, features a three-dimensional or bas-relief effect.

The foundation/frame is a pizza box, as usual, and the whole is painted with acrylic color and finished with polymer medium.

It a lively work and everybody seems to like it.

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Magi in Rio Grande Canyon

2010-01-21T10:24:00.000-08:00

Magi in Rio Grande Canyon

The name of this painting reflects the time I spent in Taos, New Mexico--the earth colors and the zig-zag "Indian" design decoration of the pizza-box papier mache frame are typical of that most enchanted land.

The Magi figures in this painting are imaginary religiously seeking beings which might walk in this beautiful and deeply spiritual place.

Like many of the arty things we produce in our Creative Workshop--most of us had a hand in the creation of this work.

...

Arty Three

2010-01-19T17:33:00.000-08:00

Hannah, Al, Zaccai--The Arty Three

These three artists keep the flame going.

Watercolors, papier mache, acrylics, cut paper, clay--they are there!

They have all got what it takes in art (and life): PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE and a GOOD HEART.

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Drawing a Horse

2010-01-14T10:24:00.001-08:00

Tries Her Hand. (Tomasito photo 2010)

One of the residents wheeled up to our workshop table yesterday and asked for a pencil and paper.

We were doing some Indiany things for Hannah's school study of Sacagawea and the Louis and Clark expedition--when the new artist asked what to do I suggested that she could draw a horse which she did--and a nice one too.

People are always surprising me with their creative talent.

...

Zaccai's Puzzle

2010-01-13T11:06:00.001-08:00

Zaccai Creating Puzzle. (Tomasito photo, 2010)

Al was practicing with his watercolor brush and made a lot of colorful marks. Zaccai accepted the challenge to create a picture using Al's dots and came up with a very creditable puzzle which may morph into something further soon--we'll have to wait and see.

...