Mola Textiles made by the Kuna Indians of Panama
Frizztext/Flickr Comments asked this week, “ Hi Bloggers! Do you have to share a story or a short reflection tagged with the letter “M”?”
I chuckled at the thought of presenting M for Mola! Are you ready for more molas?!!!
The Kuna Indians of Panama inspired this past year’s Mola Series of Paintings.
When in Panama, I never tire of admiring the explosion of colors in the mola textiles. Long ago the Indians painted designs on their bodies until modern man came along and demanded, “Oh no! You must wear clothes!” They surely felt robbed of their dignity.
They soon switched to painting the designs on the clothing. They slowly abndoned the painting and designed more complex patterns by layering the colorful fabrics and cutting through to the desired color. Their needlework fills the designs with stunning patterns.
Cats and Fish! – Though many designs are mass produced, each is unique!
Shhhhhh; don’t tell anyone that I gave you a discount!
Many mola designs are based on ancient patterns that have been passed down through the generations. I realized that my old sketchbooks had a wealth of reference material patiently awaiting rebirth.
Sketch from a Nicaragua Museum Artifact
From Sketch to Watercolor! This became quite addictive!
Museum Guardians – Based on two artifacts in the Jama, Ecuador museum.
How Fun Was This?!!!
But even more rewarding was teaching others the joy of the Mola Painting!
Group ” I Can Do This” project in Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador
Friendship “I Can Do This” – Maruja Sabando Project – Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador
- Because the lines are not precise or perfect, filling in the areas with color becomes a zen-like journey!
Another successful “I Can Do This” project in Panama.
Late Afternoon Break-
I hope that you enjoyed this trip through the world of molas! Thanks, Frizztext, for the great challenge!
Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
Did you teach the Mola class? This is awesome. I love the stories behind the Molas. I have several of them in my house. Now you have me inspired to try some Mola paintings. This post is fantastic!
Thank you so much! I’m glad this has inspired you! Yes, I give individual ‘student’ classes and also oversee a collective group session where many contribute to one large painting. those are the amazing ones, that are usually borderline out of control, but they always turn out stunning!
this post shows a variety of ‘i can do this’ projects:
I look forward to a Mola-painting report!
Thanks! Z
Beautiful! I love the fish. In looking at these molas, they remind me of the textiles made by the Huichol Indians in Jalisco and Nayarit, Mexico. Here is the Wiki info on them with some photos http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huichol_art
Thank you so much! I loved reading about the Huichol Indians, and hopefully one day I will visit them in person and be inspired by their art as well! That would make a great cultural exchange!
Z
It looks likes so much fun, and something I could actually go. It’s like a coloring book, but much cooler! Thanks for sharing!
For sure you can do this! With your love of strong color and your strong character, you would surely master this and do well!
Z
Really colorful paintings!
Thank you! z
OMG–the colors are stunning. Can’t tell you how much I wish I lived closer so I could take your classes! I love–actually ADORE–your work.
Hugs,
‘Kathy
you would be like a duckling in water! from the first stroke, you’d be heading in your own direction and thriving!
in the future i’ll be working on some tutorials. there’s a lot on my plate before i have room for those posts!
thanks!
z
Will look forward to the tutorials
I enjoyed it immensely! I see why you love it there: you have such a keen eye for bright colors.
thanks! i think my life in the Delta prepped me for life in the tropics! many of the vegetables (ahem, comfort foods) that we grew in Mississippi are prolific here – most are native to South America.
i also love that the temps rarely get below 60 degrees, there are few mosquitoes, and there are beautiful flowers year round! it also helps that lunch specials throughout the country are two to three dollars, including fresh fruit juice!
and then there’s the never-ending subject matter for painting!
z
I can’t imagine you doing anything else for M but MOLA. Haviing never been to Panama, I am intrigued to learn more of the indigenous. Their dress, leg and arm wrappings are an art form in itself. What a joy ( and preparation) to teach these classes…to share your knowledge of the culture through these projects. Love it! 🙂
by all means, you should set your sites on panama! i look forward to returning, and i hope to have enough time to visit the indians at the san blas islands instead of the generic settings of the shops in the city.
thanks amiga!
z
Beautiful!
Like others, I can’t imagine you doing anything else but molas for “M”. The photos of the projects and pieces are beautiful. They must be stunning in person.
The bright colors are so appealing. Did I tell you that I finally figured out why the technique of the molas seems so familiar? In grade school, we often covered pieces of paper with color-patches, then colored the whole thing over with black crayola. Then, we’d incise the black crayon with everything from paper clips to combs to who knew what, and the bright colors underneath would shine through. Not as complex, but certainly related!
how fun! how lucky you were to have a teacher/teachers that were open to creative challenges! i’m glad you enjoyed the post! thanks!.. and thanks for your feedback on the temblor. si, i read about the earthquake in dallas and figured that it probably got lots of attention! z
So cool! I love the bright colors and Vivid lines of the mola painting. I would love to take a class someday!
Muchas grracias! hopefully one day you will enjoy the spontaneous joy of painting in the mola style!!! z
Very colorful and beautiful! Thank for introducing the joy of the Mola Painting!
you are so very welcome! thank you for your positive feedback! z
Always ready for more Molas.. 🙂 Great post !
Thanks! I’m feeling stronger and am getting that urge to break out the watercolors! Z
Oh the colors! I love this post!! I so wish I could attend a class!!! UGH!!!!
you made me laugh outloud! thanks, gemma! maybe one of these days we will figure out how to do this.. i’ll work on a future tutorial post, i promise!
thank you so much!
z
“When in Panama, I never tire of admiring
the explosion of colors in the mola textiles…”:
now I can understand you – great tribute to the MOLAS!
thank you so much, and i am glad this gave you a stronger glimpse into the psyche of the zeebra!
i loved your volkswagon photo!
z
Wonderful!
I thoroughly enjoyed your post z, both the illustrations and the commentary. It was completely new to me and you made it all so clear. Thanks.
muchas grrrracias! z
M for magnificent paintings. Mola paintings are addictive. The colors, textures, the patterns, the unique culture heritage that goes with every piece are all beautiful. Have a great week.
you are great! thanks so much! z
About 40 years ago when Mr F and I were in South Africa we bought two molars which we framed and are both still hanging on our walls. Such beautiful colors. I should photograph them for you.
That would be great, Rosie! Are the fires all extinguished now? z
Unfortunately this is fire season, and we’ve had a very hot dry year. So as soon as one is extinguished another one starts up somewhere else.
There are dry seasons in Ecuador and in Central America where a careless match and high winds cause wildfires. The wildfires don’t seem to happen as often and aren’t as vast.
Wildfires are so scary – I cannot imagine what it must be like to live with that threat.
z
But of course, ‘M’ could not possibly be anything else. Love, love, love the textiles and artwork. Wish I could attend one of your classes 🙂
Ah, yes; you would make a great student and would add a lot to each class just by being there!
Z