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Mi Familia CalacaMy Skeleton Family
By Cynthia WeillPaper Mache Calacas by Jesus Canseco Zarate
© Copyright Cynthia Weill and Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All rights reserved
In Mexico, the skeleton is a beloved and humorous symbol.
The skeleton or calaca adorns just about everything.
Author, Cindy Weill met paper mache artisan and skeleton maker Jesus Canseco Zarate , also known as Chucho, in Oaxaca, Mexico. Chucho had submitted his skeletons to a contest….
…at the Museum of Popular Arts in San Bartolo Coyotepec in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. This contest was sponsored by an American organization called Friends of Oaxacan Folk Art .
Judges from around the world were enchanted by Chucho’s paper mache calacas.
Not surprisingly, Chucho won one of the big prizes.
Cindy thought that Chucho’s calacas would make lovely figures for a children’s book.
Usually, Cindy must spend weeks and months in Mexico with artisans as they work on the art for her books. However, Chucho was able to document his process through a webcam. She and Chucho discussed each
figure through e-mail.
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
It was fun to watch the process.
• © Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
The pieces slowly evolved and became a family.
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
Chucho used paper mache. This is a process that was brought to Mexico by the Spanish in the 15th century.
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
Grandma/Abuelita is almost done!© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013
All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
Anita and her brother with the pets/mascotas.© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013
All Rights Reserved
Baby brother’s carriage needs a little decoration!© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013
All Rights Reserved
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
Dad/Papa needs his glasses and Mom/Mama needs her pearls!© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013
All Rights Reserved
Grandma/Abuelita , Great grandmother/bisabuela and Grandpa/Abuelito like having their picture taken!
© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013All Rights Reserved
Finally, the whole family is together and ready to star in My Skeleton Family/Mi Familia Calaca!© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013
All Rights Reserved
There were too many family members for everyone to fit on the cover but Chucho and Cindy assure you that everyone is inside!
