Latin Music Legends Stamps & Books

As the New Year approaches I've been reflecting on the fun I've had working on children's books and thinking small. In my opinion, great things do indeed come in small packages.

After almost two years work I'm thrilled to unveil five new stamps I have created for the United States Postal Service celebrating Latin Music Legends that will be available in March 2011. They honor incomparable musicians and performers of the Latin sound whose contributions continue to greatly impact world music. In alphabetical order they are; Celia Cruz, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente and Selena. Their distinctive styles embrace a diverse range of musical genres including salsa, tango, samba, Latin jazz and tejano. It's all about the music so select their names above to view these Latin music legends in action.

I am passionate about Latin music as it has fueled my work for decades. As a child growing up in Mexico City I was lucky to study guitar and South American instruments like the quena and cuatro with Folklorista Gerardo Tamez. My uncle had a musical radio program at UNAM that introduced folk and protest music from Latin America. I grew up in a household where my architect parents constantly played instruments and sang music. We were always dancing and I can't bring myself to paint without music.

What an honor it is for me to tell you more about these extraordinary legends and the process of creating stamps to celebrate their contributions. I'm proud of Latin music because it is essential in communicating the spirit of our culture. I have to agree that Latinos are born with rhythm. These five dynamic individuals continue to inspire future generations of musicians. I hoped to paint portraits that would resonate for their families and fans. I felt compelled to give it all I had as an artist to communicate the essence of these legends, their spirit, style and sound.

Celia Cruz stamp, mood board with imagery and sketch

CELIA CRUZ

¡Azucar! What made Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa so unique?

I wanted to celebrate that electrifying voice, those elaborate wigs, flamboyant costumes and dazzling smile that made you feel like you were part of her family. Her powerful contralto voice, dance energy and charismatic personality endeared her to fans from different nationalities and generations. A musical artist who knew no boundaries. She broke down economic, gender and racial barriers with her authentic humanity and mesmerizing vocal style.

Carlos Gardel stamp, sketch and a classic photo

CARLOS GARDEL

With his movie star looks and superb baritone voice, he was the first great singer of tango and remains an icon in Argentina, France and Uruguay. A magnetic stage presence he mesmerized audiences with his charm and dapper attire. Gardel's music has always fascinated me and I posed a model with my own guitar to get the right stamp composition. His nickname El Zorzal Criollo translates to the Creole Thrush. Listening to his music, I envisioned a smoky boliche and saw cool shades of blue as his incomparable voice evoked nostalgia and a longing for something lost.

Carmen Miranda stamp, photograph and preliminary sketch

CARMEN MIRANDA

The glamorous Portuguese born-Brazilian Bombshell samba singer who went on to become a film legend captivated audiences with her Latin charm and dazzling persona. Her remarkable film, stage and radio career and exotic signature outfit challenged me. I had to make it all fit in a way that would match the proportions of the other Latin Music Legend compositions. I tried to showcase her mischievous, playful and coquettish beauty in a classic Hollywood pose that tipped it's hat to her contributions in music and film.

Tito Puente stamp, mood board imagery and alternative sketch

TITO PUENTE

A musical pioneer this bandleader, percussionist, and composer fused Latin music with jazz and mixed Latin sounds with other musical styles. I was fortunate enough to see Tito performing live on the streets of San Diego. I was about 20 feet away and the raw energy and pure octane power he exuded was sensational. I wanted to capture in red the angular rhythms of Tito playing his timbales in the stamp's background. I'm currently working on a new book My Name is Tito about El Rey and can't wait to introduce this music legend to children.

Selena stamp and two sketches exploring composition

SELENA

The Queen of Tejano I wanted to showcase her vibrant beauty. As an artist I was challenged by her love of fashion and style as Selena frequently changed hairstyles and clothing. After exploring many directions I became convinced that a photo provided by her family most closely communicated her essence. I worked to create a relationship between her hair and the background swirls to pay tribute to her sensual costumes and dance moves. I sincerely appreciated hearing from Suzette Quintanilla who saw the stamp portrait before release and felt I had captured her sister's charismatic spirit.

HOW STAMPS BEGIN AND MY PROCESS

The Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee meets several times a year to look over many suggestions for stamp subjects. These ideas come for committee members, stamp collectors, postal officials and the general public. Once approved each job is assigned to an art director who selects an artist whose style and technique they believe can deliver the essence of a subject and meet the challenge of communicating at postage stamp size.

The Let's Dance: Merengue stamp and Mendez v. Westminster stamp

In 2009 I was approached by an exceptional art director, Ethel Kessler whose clients include the United States Postal Service. We had worked together previously in 2005 creating the Merengue Latin Dance stamp and the Mendez v. Westminster stamp in 2007. A year later I painted a poster to help win the Latino vote for then candidate Barack Obama and the style of that portrait resonated for the U.S.P.S. giving me the chance to work on this project.

Talk about connections, my very first children's book My Name is Celia about Celia Cruz opened the door for me to create books for children. I'm currently working on paintings for a new book My Name is Tito to be released in 2013 on the anniversary of his 90th birthday. I was excited to immerse myself once again into their lives and music and began to conduct extensive research into Selena, Carlos Gardel and Carmen Miranda. I tried to get inside the details of their lives by reading biographies and articles, watching films, looking at images and above all playing their music nice and loud.

Sketching for an upcoming children's book My Name is Tito and cover of My Name is Celia both written by Monica Brown

As an artist I tried to find the emotional qualities that described them and created mood boards with imagery, colors and textures to illuminate the path these paintings should take and develop a visual language. I poured over hundreds of images and worked to channel the spirit of their music into my sketches. I choose to not directly use any one image but reference still photography and video footage to synthesize information and get to the essence of a portrait. I stylized the images with the hope that people would see them and hear their music. Working closely with the art director I decided to show each musical artist in the period of time we thought people would remember them most. It's got to reduce well, not fill in or lose parts and communicate at the size of your thumb.

I then begin to sketch and it all begins with a pencil on paper. Talk about pressure. I was constantly aware that each stamp design had to be approved by committee, genuinely resonate with families and connect to fans. I gave it my best shot painting each portrait on a piece of sanded wood about 15 inches tall by 9 inches wide. I selected the wood carefully looking for the right texture to add character to the images. The process of sanding takes time and I like to think with patience the grain speaks to me. I buy my acrylic paints in large jars at a small tiendita in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. These paints are bold just like Celia, Carlos, Carmen, Tito and Selena and for me authentic Latino color is all about orgullo!

One last thing, these are forever stamps making them as timeless as the Latin Music Legends who inspired them.

Special thanks to Roy A. Betts of the U.S.P.S. for the high resolution stamp images.

Storytelling connects us to the world

In December like a bird, I can't wait to migrate south to my home and studio in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Sitting here at my weathered wooden desk covered with paint and coffee cup stains I've been thinking about storytelling and how it connects us to the world. Originally practiced by elders, stories passed on knowledge and wisdom to new generations.

A humble art form practiced in Mexico are small retablos or laminas painted on tin. Deeply rooted in Spanish history they tell stories of miracles and represent the heart, soul and religious traditions of Mexicans from the 17th-19th centuries. I've always been fascinated with the colorful symbolism and allegorical storytelling found in these clever art works used on home altars to give thanks to the infinite number of Catholic saints. Usually painted by self taught artists working alone in their studio or workshop I've been waiting for just the right opportunity to get a piece of tin and give it a try.

My closest friend Gil Gutiérrez lives in a bohemian home that used to be a horse stable in the centro of San Miguel. He is without a doubt our town's most beloved musician. A virtuoso on the guitar, he has played with symphony orchestras across the U.S. and at Chicago's Millenium Park to a crowd of 10,000 people. My favorite place to hear him play is sitting around his kitchen table as his authentic music and vibrant spirit is an endless inspiration. He is building a home in the countryside near town and this past Fall was attacked by a stray rottweiler abandoned near his land. His arm was injured badly but healed quickly and he was able to get right back to making music. To commemorate and give thanks for this miracle I painted a lamina for him in the style of my compatriotas. My gifted friend is pictured with guitar on his land where he grows lavender and his favorite drink mezcal invoking the protection of El Señor de los Rayos. You might notice the surrealism of his extra hand in my painting with the popular cuernos symbol to signify that he won't let anything stop his music. A graceful bird carries the banner of musical notes and the hand painted text tells the story of the miracle. I used sponges to age the piece that was painted with Mexican acrylics on tin.

In this painting I wanted to celebrate the humble art and storytelling of Mexican lamina painting as well as the power of my friend Gil's music.
If you live in New York please be sure to catch Gil Gutiérrez live at Carnegie Hall with trumpet legend Doc Severinsen on January 28th.
I believe his music captures the sound and soul of San Miguel de Allende and to hear it you can check out his website or visit his blog: Gil Gutiérrez Music

The Art of Giving Books

December is really here.

Our family continued to realize our passion for books this year by growing a library for our son's public school. The holidays are a chance to connect with family and friends and share the magic of books with the people that matter to you. If you really think about it there is a book for every special person in your life. A blog post by a wonderful friend, artist and writer Yuyi Morales inspired our family to brainstorm special ways to give books.

We saw a wonderful book tree in Simple Magazine and my son challenged us last night to build our own-so here is our version. In the spirit of giving or not knowing what to give, I want to share this post about how much fun you can have giving books.

These incredible books are favorites of our family.

Doña Flor. Art by Raul Colón and Written by Pat Mora.

Illustrator Raul Colon used Prismacolor pencils to make this gorgeous book and what kid or kid at heart wouldn't want a set of their own radiant colors. The flat box will nestle nicely on top of this book.

The House in the Night. Illustrated by Beth Krommes and Written by Susan Marie Swanson. Caldecott Medal Winner Beth Krommes introduced Santiago to Scratchmagic Paper and now he practices making art that looks like real scratchboard.

Gracias. Thanks. Art by John Parra and Words by Pat Mora.

Need a stress release? Click the CRICKET toy. "For the cricket hiding when he serenades us to sleep. thanks!"

Return to Sender. Written by Julia Alvarez. Winner of the 2010 Pura Belpré for Narrative.

This beautiful folding rainbow colored umbrella is perfect for children. Express your love of peace even on rainy days.

The Dreamer. Words by Pam Muñoz Ryan and Art by Peter Sis.

Really Big Words refridgerator magnet poetry is a great way to have fun and start to dream like Pablo Neruda. This book is such a gem.

Books can teach you things you didn't know before. If you're fighting a winter cold they distract you from your misery. When you are stuck in long lines at the airport they will help you pass the time. We all know things get crazy at the holidays and sometimes you just need to escape to a quiet place-well a good book will take you there. Great books get better when they get old just like people.

Here are some of my son Santiago's most loved picture books we've paired with favorite things. The illustrations are hard to resist.

Never take a Shark to the Dentist [and other things not to do] by

Judi Barrett with fantastic art by John Nickle and a colorful Plaksmacker toothbrush. She wrote Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs and you will learn important lessons wonderfully illustrated like never hold hands with a lobster or never go to the bank with a raccoon.

Blueberries for Sal by a legendary author/artist Robert McCloskey. Find out what happens on a summer day in Maine when a little girl and a bear cub wander away from their mothers. The story won the Caldecott Medal in 1949 and the drawings are as fresh as blueberries in a beautiful bowl. In my son's art class the kids hand built pots that could be filled with berries.

Iggy Peck Architect makes you smile by Andrea Beaty with clever illustrations by David Roberts. "Young Iggy Peck is an architect and has been since he was two, when he built a great tower-in only an hour-with nothing but diapers and glue". Brio natural building blocks have wonderful shapes to construct you own skyscrapers. Our friend Daniel Renner saves leftover wood scraps and sands them to make an incredible set of blocks in crazy shapes that kids never get tired of.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema with pictures by Leo and Diane Dillon. This is a favorite African tale and we bought the book on a trip to Washington D.C and the National Museum of African Art/Smithsonian Institution. No wonder these paintings won the Caldecott Medal as they take you deep into the heart of the African jungle.

At Rosenberry books you can buy an inexpensive kit to cut and glue amazing handmade papers [some are like tree bark] to make your own African masks.

Frederick's Fables: A Leo Lionni Treasury of Favorite Stories. Leo Lionni.The stories and art makes you imagination soar into the clouds. Kids can learn about nature, peace, community, friendship, beauty, and being your own unique self. More than any other character in books there is just something about Frederick. You'll fall for the part where it is winter and the mice are tired of the snow and cold. Frederick tells them to "close their eyes and sends them the golden rays of the sun, and the colors, blue periwinkles, red poppies in yellow wheat, the green leaves of the berry bush and they saw the colors as clearly as if they had been painted in their minds". Pair this book with inexpensive Backyard Safari Binoculars to see the world as Frederick does.

Please click here to read more.

Stirring the Pot of Color

Did you know that it takes an elephant 22 months of waiting before it's calf is born?
Bringing a book into the world takes just about that long. When the advance copy finally arrives on your doorstep in the well worn hands of the delivery man you rip the package open with a mix of fear and excitement. That happened to me today.

Speaking of reproduction, for me fear usually revolves around the accurate reproduction of my color. Was the brave printer able to reproduce the hues and subtle textures that I scraped, dabbed and coaxed into life? With each and every book I have learned to expect calls from the adventurous art director attempting to match the azuline blue of a Mexican tile or eggplant purple of a passing cloud. Proof after proof is sent back and forth from artist to printer until the heat of the flames under the pot is just the right radiant shade of amarillo-oro.
For me color is an expression of my identity, my heritage and I believe it is the most direct route to the emotions of children and families who will turn the pages of my books. As a new book enters into this world you feel like celebrating when recognizing a familiar hue that resonates for you. You breathe a sigh when you see the pages where the farm maiden cries "Ay!" and the pot full of arroz con leche simmers, sputters, and bubbles with color on the stove.

I'm so excited to share with readers this new book The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred from the playful hand of clever writer Samantha Vamos. When a farm girl starts cooking, a bunch of magical animals want to get into the kitchen and help [reminds me of my childhood when my mother made Christmas tamales]. The cow brings milk, the hen her eggs and the duck with a straw hat heads to the mercado for just the right ingredients. There's a resourceful donkey in cowboy boots who plucks a lime off the tree to add to the simmering pot. Eventually they break out the spoons, a drum, banjo and maraca and start to sing and dance. At the end of the book you will find the recipe for delicious Arroz Con Leche Latin American Rice Pudding. This book is a spicy tribute to the classic nursery rhyme "The House that Jack Built" and is a bilingual celebration of community and food.

I want to thank my Charlesbridge family for faithfully reproducing my colors and I'm grateful for the patience of art director Susan Sherman for her help stirring up the colors of La Cazuela.

A few weeks ago I visited a public elementary school to talk about books and drawing. A boy asked me "where do stories come from?". I really love the questions kids ask because they cut right to the chase and find out what we all want to know. With that in mind I thought it would be a good idea to ask my friend, writer Samantha Vamos how she got the idea for La Cazuela due out this February. To see what she had to say please read on...

How Samantha Vamos Cooked Up The Cazuela

From Samantha Vamos: The idea for The Cazuela That The Farm Maiden Stirred occurred to me one wintry, weekend morning. I was in the kitchen gathering ingredients to make pancakes and discovered that I lacked both milk and eggs.

At the time, my husband and I lived in Chicago, Illinois and did not own a car. That morning was bitter cold with gusty winds and the prospect of walking to the subway or waiting for a bus to the nearest grocery store was not appealing. When I realized that my alternative was eating a bowl of cereal without milk, I considered calling a neighbor. Suddenly, I thought how amusing it would be if I lived on a farm and I could simply call one of my animal “neighbors” for a pail of milk or a basket of eggs. Envisioning myself a farm maiden, I smiled and my story took off from there.

The proverb “necessity is the mother of invention” seems apt when I think about the creation of this story. I craved pancakes and I imagined ways to obtain the ingredients I needed. When I reflect on my overall mindset, however, there were two additional circumstances that resulted in my brain producing the idea behind The Cazuela That The Farm Maiden Stirred.

First, I had always wanted to write a story that featured a recipe. Making things in the kitchen is fun.

Second, I describe that time period as having had “bilingual on the brain.” I had recently transformed a formerly all-English manuscript of mine to make it bilingual, resulting in Before You Were Here, Mi Amor (published by Viking Children’s Books in 2009). As I incorporated Spanish words, the text flowed differently – the words sounded more intimate and tender. The English text with Spanish words woven in resonated because the bilingual manner of speaking reminded me of the way I had heard languages (in addition to English, my father fluently speaks four languages) expressed as a child. After writing Before You Were Here, Mi Amor, I had hoped that I’d become inspired with another idea that would allow me to write a second, bilingual story.

So, on that morning, as I held a stirring spoon and imagined myself the farm maiden, I tried out this first line: “This is the pot that the farm maiden stirred.” I liked the rhythm. I was immediately reminded of the British nursery rhyme, “This Is The House That Jack Built” and decided I would try following that rhyme’s format – a cumulative tale where the action or lines repeat as the story progresses.

As I thought about my story’s construction, I realized that there would be four interlocking pieces:

First, I wanted the story to be bilingual.

Second, the cumulative format: I wanted to structure the story so that as the action built, specific Spanish words repeated. That way the Spanish words would be reinforced and easy to remember.

Third, I wanted to incorporate a recipe that would be revealed at the story’s end. I hoped that readers would try to guess what the characters were making in the pot that the farm maiden stirred. Utilizing a recipe in this manner meant weaving the storyline around specific ingredients.

Fourth, I needed to create characters that could provide the necessary ingredients to the pot. The cow and hen were obvious choices as they could respectively provide milk and eggs. When I thought about a pot, milk, and eggs, I realized that the farm maiden could make rice pudding. Now all I needed were a few more characters to deliver the remaining ingredients: sugar, rice, butter, cream, and a lime. After including a goat, duck, donkey, and a farmer, I had the framework of the book, or as I see it now, the “equation” for my story: five animal characters, their farmer, and farm maiden plus ingredients create Arroz Con Leche in a bilingual, cumulative tale!

Inspired, I headed downstairs to my computer. I never finished making pancakes that morning, but I did manage to write a first draft of our story!

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