We wrapped up our class today with a final critique of the portfolio of drawings that Alli, Christina, Clay and Murphey (pictured above with Jesus, our favorite waiter) produced during the past three weeks. They are a terrific team of artists. In spite of the heat and unfamiliar surroundings, they worked hard and produced impressive bodies of work.
Mexico has changed dramatically since I was a student here 25 years ago. For starters, globalization has arrived in full force. Now, there is no escaping the presence of mega corporations such as McDonald's, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Home Depot and even Starbucks. Prices are much higher than before. A cerveza that used to cost 35 cents in the 1980s now costs at least two dollars.
Fortunately, most of Merida has not lost its charm. The architecture is stunning, the colors vivid and the plant life magical. Doing simple things like walking to the market or taking a stroll around the main plaza is an adventure, because you are bound to see an impromptu concert or a vendor hawking hammocks or other Yucatecan crafts.
One Yucatecan product I've fallen in love with since I've been down here is the guayabera shirt. It's absolutely perfect: slightly dressy (it has a collar) and ornate (it has pleats and many, many buttons), and you can wear it without tucking it in providing excellent ventilation on hot days. I'm not sure why the guayabera hasn't caught on in Jackson, given the Mississippi heat. Perhaps I can start a trend when I return....
It's been a wonderful three weeks. I look forward to working with these young artists when we return to Millsaps in the fall.
-Brent Fogt
P.S. Below are a few more drawings from the past week (In the following order: Alli, Christina, Clay, and Murphey.
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