Marcos Roman

Mindfulness

Lay back, relax, and let go of all tensions as you float in absolute spaciousness. Let your body become one with the water as you float and drift in weightlessness and peacefulness, whether it be a pool or an ocean; a river or bath.

https://www.x-traonline.org/article/circuits-of-culture-caribbean-art-in-the-latin-american-diaspora

See think Wonder

What do you see in the picture? What do you think is happening and what was the artist trying to tell you with this picture? What does this picture make you wonder about?

Carlisle Chang, Woman with Chickens, 1958. Oil on board, 23 ½ x 35 in. Courtesy Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.

Marcos Román

Hallmark designer and illustrator Marcos Román has been sketching and doodling since he was very young. He has always found inspiration in the religious vestments of African and South American cultures.

“I think my first obsession started in grade school when we had to research the Taíno, the indigenous people of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean,” says Marcos.

One can see the influence of a rich cultural history apparent in his work. He continues, “I actually love to make masks and costumes on my own time. Not all of them are wearable or really practical masks.” Recently Marcos has been exploring translating his two-dimensional sketches and designs onto three-dimensional ceramic forms. You can (and should) follow Marcos on his Tumblr. And click through to see more of his amazing work!

Taino Masks

Taino Culture

Story Time

Vocabulary

Horizontal Lines

Vertical Lines

Diagonal Lines

Curved Lines

Pattern: repeated form or design especially that is used to decorate something

Shape: a two-dimensional form, usually defined by a line around it or by a change in color. There are two main types of shapes, geometric and organic.

horizontal: parallel to level ground

vertical: perpendicular to the plane of the horizon

diagonal: A line segment that goes from one corner to another, but is not an edge

symmetry: the same in size, form, and arrangement of parts on opposite sides of a plane, line, or point

Assignment

Using the information about Marcos Román and different kinds of lines. Draw your own you own verson of a Taino mask. Begin with an oval and add eyes nose and mouth using basic shapes: circle, oval, square, diamond. Using lines, deocorate your mask.


Why This Project

In this project we make an brief investigation into the Taino Culture of Puerto Rico and the artist Marcos Román.

We will learn to create patterns and surface design by using lines in different orientations: horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and curved. We will also learn to use basic shapes to create a mask face and add details like crowns, beards.

We will discuss our artistic choices for shapes, colors and patterns, and how they effect the look of our mask. This will reinforce studio thinking the the concepts of expressing and envisioning artwork.