In Spanish and English, Carmen Lomas Garza portrays her family’s Mexican customs and her life as an artist, and the legends of her Aztec past through cut-paper work (papel picado).
- ISBN: 9780892391837
- Author: Garza, Carmen Lomas
- Published: 2003 , Children's Book Press
- Themes: Art and artists, Tradition
- Descriptors: Biography - Autobiography- Memoir, Information Book, Mexico, Primary (ages 6-9), Pura Belpré
- No. of pages: 32
This book transports the reader into the world of Carmen Lomas Garza. We are able to experience Mexican culture and history through the intricate details of large paper cutouts called papel picado. The paper-cut art form requires each piece of the art to support and stabilize itself – which is representative of the historical aspects that Ms. Garza has portrayed. For example, the piece titled Eagle with Rattlesnakes portrayals the ancient legend of where Tenochtitlán, the capital of Mexico, would be built. Each part of her artwork creates a sense of unity and connection within the art piece as a whole. Ms. Garzas work is also a way for future generations to come together to express themselves and connect others to their personal history.