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.

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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

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© 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

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Baby brother’s carriage needs a little decoration!© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013

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Dad/Papa needs his glasses and Mom/Mama needs her pearls!© Copyright Jesus Canseco Zarate 2013

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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

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There were too many family members for everyone to fit on the cover but Chucho and Cindy assure you that everyone is inside!