Homemade gesso

Update: Homemade modpodge works!

I am beginning work on a design for a huge canvas painting, which
will be 7 feet high by 11.25 feet wide. I priced Gesso to coat the
canvas,  at the local craft store, it is over $25 a gallon (that's the cheap
stuff). I decided to check for a homemade version of gesso.

Just in case you're not familiar with gesso, it's a binder used on
wood and canvas to hold paint so that the wood grain does not
show through the painting, or so the grain of the canvas does
not show through the paint.

 
Guess what??
I found a couple of recipes.  I'll  share them with you, after
I've created and tested them this weekend.

 This homemade gesso can be sanded, holds paint well,
and costs much less than the gesso you buy in art stores.

I'm in the process of drawing out the design for the canvas.
sewing the canvas pieces together, and then adding the
gesso. It's exciting for me to find out how well
homemade gesso works. I'll report back to you.

Huichol Arts and Crafts

Mexico, is one of my favorite places to travel. I enjoy the north, south, east, west and

the coastline. The people are kind and hospitable, and the food is great.  No matter what

part of Mexico you’re in,  you’ll find inspiration for art.

In Mexico City, the Zocolo houses art and historical objects of interest. It is in

an older area of the Federal District, near  a beautiful church, which amazingly,

remains standing.

I enjoy Mexico, for the people, the colorful houses, brightly painted tiles, 

the artwork of the indigenous people: the black pottery of Oaxaca, the tall wooden

doors, and hand painted crafts celebrating El Dia de los Muertos, in Patzcuaro, the

wooden boxes, and hand carved doors of Tzintzunzan.

The Houchil artisans of the northern states of Zacatecas, Nayirit, Jalisco, and Western

Central Mexico, create some of the most colorful, detailed arts and crafts. They add

tiny detailed bead work on cow skulls, hats, small wooden carved animals, even cars.

The women create yarn paintings, an art tradition that has been passed down for generations. 

Their arts and crafts are vibrant and incredibly beautiful. Their symbolism representing

the Gods, shows corn, peyote, and deer, which is often shown in their work.

Wikipedia defines the Huichol or Wixáritari (Huichol pronunciation: /wiˈraɾitaɾi/)  as a 

Native American ethnic group of western central Mexico, living in the Sierra Madre 

range. They are best known to the larger world as the Huichol, however, they refer to 

themselves as Wixáritari ("the people") in their native Huichol language.

I looked up as many photos of the Huichol arts and crafts, as I could find, to share with you today. 

For more information on Huichol artwork, go to: http://thehuicholcenter.org/huichol-art/

http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/178-yarn-painting-images-of-a-vanishing-culture

http://www.indigoarts.com/gallery_huicholart1.html

http://www.mexicanartdealing.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=3520307

http://fineartamerica.com/art/photographs/huichol+art/all

 Buy Easy Crafts on a Budget for Kids 4 to 104 here: 

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Crafts-Budget-Kids-Volume/dp/0615640826

Aboriginal Art

I've visited Australia a couple of times.When there, I
enjoy visiting the local markets. I especially like
paintings created by local aboriginal artists. I'm drawn
to the designs, using dots and bright colors. I'm
working on a geographic outdoor painting, so I'm
looking at photos of aboriginal art for inspiration.

Today, I'm reposting photos of aboriginal artwork for you
to enjoy.

For more information on aboriginal art, go to:
http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/index.php

http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-indigenous-art

http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/australian-aboriginal-art-and-storytelling