Medium Red Heart- Single Flower

Measurements

Height

12 cm

Width

15 cm

Materials

paper

Tags

Heart with wings

This medium red heart with wings is decorated with a flower design and painted in traditional Mexican colors. This heart would make a great gift for a loved one for valentines day or any season. This heart is best displayed when hanging. Each of these hearts has a black body, but is painted with different color wings and a different color center flower. Please specify WHICH color combination you would prefer. These are also customizable.

Please specify WHICH color combination you would prefer. These are also customizable.

Destination	Delivery method	Shipping Time (days)	Shipping cost for this item
All Countries	mex post	7-21	$2.00

In order to begin, Sotero must make a clay mold of what his final product will be. Once the mold has been created, Sotero and his family can begin the paper mache process. They wet brown paper in the adhesive which is made from flower and water that has been cooked on the stove and begin to cover the mold with this wet paper. Once the mold is fully covered, one layer has been completed and needs to be put in the sun to dry for about 30 minutes. Once dry, this process will continue until the mold has been covered in 4 layers of paper mache. The final drying time is 2-4 hours. depending on the weather. Once the piece is dry, it is time to cut out the mold. Once the mold has been removed, the next step is to seal the piece and add the final details, such as the wings on the heart. This is then set out to dry. Once dry, the piece is then painted white so that the colors will appear more vibrant once painted. The base colors are then painted and set to dry and then the final step is painting the intricate designs on the piece. Often this process is completed in a sort of assembly line, with each person rotating roles throughout the day. From start to finish it can take almost a whole day for one piece to be completed because there are many steps in the process.

The Lemus family has been dedicated to paper mache art for over 110 years starting with Sotero Lemus' grandfather who began the trade when he was only 12 years old. Sotero's Father, was taught the craft when he was 13, and Sotero began when he was only 9 years old. Originally the family specialized in making traditional Mexican toys but then expanded to create pieces of all shapes and sizes, for all occasions. The Lemus family is originally from Guanajuato but now the remaining family including Sotero, his mother Leonor Gervacio Mendoza, his sister, Lucia Lemus Gervacio, and his wife, Angeles Monge Gonzales life outside of Mexico City D.F.

This past decade, Sotero has created some very impressive pieces, most notable was his 12 meter tall Don Quijote that had to be airlifted out of his house by a crane to be exhibited in D.F.'s National Palace in 2004. Despite being recognized on a National level in various cities throughout Mexico, Sotero mentioned that it is still difficult to make a living off of his work because it is hard to sell his pieces and he does not get paid for the pieces he makes for the state or government. Sotero enjoys giving workshops and classes on his trade and is currently selling his art in the Jovenes Artesano store as one of the store's featured artists.