Date: Friday, October 29th, 2021
Times: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Cost: $100 with most materials included
Workshop description
Alebrijes are a type of folkloric art that originated in Oaxaca, Mexico. These mystical creatures appeared to Pedro Linares in a dream. Some had the body of a snake and the wings of an eagle or the body of a jaguar with the horns of a deer. Some flew with butterfly wings. This magical vision of a forest inspired Linares, a cartonero artisan, to create the sculptures we know today as alebrijes. Known for their vibrant colors and vivid imagination, they have made appearances in the Disney movie Coco. They ushered beloved family members from the living into the realm of the dead. They are also thought of as guardians and protectors of the dead. Mexican families display alebrijes on Día de Los Muertos, the day where the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest. The alebrijes transport ancestors of the past to connect with the living.
You will learn about complementary colors, color intensity, and value. We use these principles to make the paint vibrate with life! This class gives plenty of room for you to put your personality into your work. You can bring reference images for patterns or go with what inspiration brings in the moment. After class is through, you will walk away with a mini mystical guardian to display in your home.
Supply List
We provide: Gessoed alebrije, ¼” Blue painter’s tape, Scissors, Water cups, Napkins, Palette knife, Disposable palette pad
Students bring: ½” Bright brush for acrylics, ¼” Bright brush for acrylics, plastic card (such as a costco card), acrylic paint in vibrant colors
About the Instructor
Alexandria (Inez) Garcia grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. Sparked by her desire to pursue art, she moved across the country. She was accepted to Alfred University, a top 10 nationally ranked art program in upstate New York. She continued on her path by fusing her art and chicana identity. She earned a minor in Spanish Literature, specializing in Latin American cultures. Her senior thesis combined the two with a visual representation of western perceptions of Latin culture. Her path of exploration led her to Basque Country in Northern, Spain. There she studied a semester in the Universidad de País Vasco in Bilbao and witnessed the Spanish "Crisis" as Spain underwent an economic collapse in 2012. This altered her perspective on art making and cultural identity that still plays out in her work today. Now, she primarily works in glass casting. Her current work is a self-portrait series titled, "Don't Touch My Hair." It will be on display locally this summer. Stay tuned for updates on the location and time.