Picture of Diego Rivera in Detroit (photo by NoTramsToLimeStreet courtesy of Flickr)

Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez, was more commonly known as simply Diego Rivera. He and his wife, Frida Khalo, became known as “the Elephant and the Dove”, a term  Frida’s mother coined  because of the extreme difference in their size. The petite Frida was swallowed by the immense Rivera.

Once, however, Diego was once a small child and his childhood home in Guanajuato is worth a visit when in the area. In an unassuming building, in an upper class neighborhood, the brilliant colors of his home blend seamlessly into the surrounding grandeur of Guanajuato.

Childhood home of Diego Rivera (photo by shugyou courtesy of Flickr)

The Museum is quite extensive and visitors can enjoy the various works of Rivera including, nudes, portraits, landscapes, still lifes, drawings and murals. The various mediums include oil, ink, watercolors and lithographs. The Museum is broken down into sections that afford an informative tour of the artist’s work, his studies and various periods throughout his lifetime.

Unassuming sign (photo by David courtesy of Flickr)

Two chambers on the third level are left open for traveling exhibitions of Mexican and foreign artists. A novel honoring for an artist who once helped a petite young Mexican woman whose art would eventually set the world on fire.

Museo Casa Diego Rivera (photo by Rightindex courtesy of Flickr)

The museum/home is located at Positos No 47 in Guanajuato, Mexico. Admission is $15 and $5 for students. The musem is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 7:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 3:00.

Sugar skulls at a Morelia marketplace (photo by kwbill courtesy of Flickr)

The artistry of Mexico is often very apparent regardless of where you go in the world. The bright colors and pageantry of Mexican life lives through the arts and crafts of this lively culture. The work of Mexican artisans has traveled throughout the world and is highly coveted by many. Morelia is one of the best places to immerse yourself in the grandeur and beauty of Mexico’s artistry.

The Morelia marketplace is a popular, tourist-friendly adventure offering amazing craft finds including handmade works like the sugar skull-Calaveras above.

Morelia Crafts Market (photo by Jeff K courtesy of Flickr)

The Morelia market place is located in the regal ex-Convent of San Fransisco. Local artisans offer their beautifully hand made goods at amazing prices. If you are able to, talking with the artisans opens a window into the pride and history of locals and the importance of craftsmanship to the people of Mexico.

Temple of San Fransisco (photo by 21st Century Catholic courtesy of Flickr)

The ex-convent itself is an amazing structure and one of the oldest religious buildings in Morelia. The Spanish Renaissance architectural plateresque design is evident while the Moorish windows offer an elegance that is truly worthy of photographing.

Below, a local Morelia artisan tends to the intricate design and details of embroidery work outside the museum. Handed down from generation to generation, it is often difficult to trace how far back the craftsmanship have traveled through the ages. One thing is known, however, the pride in their skills and workmanship is brilliantly apparent in the crafts sold in Morelia.

Local Morelia artisan (photo by Phillip Bouchard courtesy of Flickr)

La frontera (photo by Detritus courtesy of Flickr)

Controversy often haunts the city of Nogales. It mirrors the American city which shares its name and is one of the most important border entrances to the United States. For many years, Nogales, Sonora was a favorite visit for many Americans looking for cheap medication and intriguing arts and crafts.  As time goes by, Nogales develops into an interesting border town that holds on  to cultural ties while remaining open to what the future may hold.

Two cultures coexist (photo by Detritus courtesy of Flickr)

Alberto Morackis and Guadalupe Serrano created the three-dimensional painted mural reliefs that decorate the border fence. These intricately designed and thought provoking works mix ancient iconic art with modern sustenance. Ancient Meso-American wall drawings often had icons relating the thoughts of the person drawn over their head. The same is used here with icons floating over the heads of visitors coming to Mexico and Mexicans leaving their home.

Ancient Mayan God (photo by Detritus courtesy of Flickr)

The fish hovering above the border crossers is a Mayan wind God who is often associated with the idea of civilization. Again, there is a stunning use of color and visual cuing to indicate what they want.

Milagros keep hope alive (photo by Detritus courtesy of Flickr)

The,larger than life, milagros were done by Alfredo Quiroz and are an amazing homage to the manda-related icons so popular in the Mexican culture.  Small charms used to represent the desires, hopes and prayers of the person asking saints to petition to God on their behalf. A heart may represent healing a heartbreak or even the actual healing of an ailing heart. The milagors on the border fence show the hopes and fears associated with crossing the border.

A visit to Nogales is always good for authentic Mexican cuisne and fun shopping. On your next visit, take some time to enjoy the amazing display of art dipicting the struggles and hopes that live along the border.

Papel picado is an intricate art form that involves chiseling pictures into thirty or more layers of tissue paper at one time. The details are amazing, considering the tools, and the result is a long banner of flags containing the pictures representative of the season or celebration.

You may think bright colors are simply the standard and any hue will do. However, there are certain colors chosen for specific celebrations. Light blue, pink and white are the colors of choice for holidays honoring the Virgin Mary. Patron saints are honored with hues of yellow and white. Dia de los Muertos bring out the boldest color choices like fuchsia, orange, and violet. Easter is a time of whites and deep purples. During patriotic celebrations the traditional Mexican red, white and green are displayed.

The art form goes back to pre-Hispanic times when Mulberry bark was made into a paper which was used for banners and flags used for ceremonies. Today, the paper craft can be seen throughout the world and even classrooms across the United States create similar decorations by folding and cutting tissue paper.

The use of papel picado is an inexpensive and exotic way to create visually mesmerizing decorations for any celebrations. Even walking along the Haciendo area of Disneyland displays the Mexican papel picado. While the inticate details of some of the most stunning pieces come from deep in Mexico, it is a fun craft that anyone can enjoy during any time of the year.