New Location

 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

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

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

Watching the work.

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Christmas 2010

 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!

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New Worker

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

 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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