5th Grade Mexican Bark Paintings

 Fifth Grade artists are studying a type of folk art from Mexico called bark paintings, or amate paintings.  These paintings come from a place in Mexico called Guerrero.  The artist there are self trained, or have learned the art from relatives or friends, which is why it is considered to be a form of folk art. 

 Students first chose an animal to draw as the center of interest, then surrounded the animal with plants and flowers.  Next students added a pattern around the border of their drawings that included overlapping shapes.  Here students are adding bright imaginary colors to their drawings just like the Mexican artists do.  After we are finished painting, students will add texture and details with a black pencil.