Velvet Art and Ridicule

Velvet Art
I must say that I have never seen a Velvet Jesus or Velvet Elvis, but the Dogs Playing Poker was one I often saw. Maybe my neighbors owned the Dogs Playing Poker because they were not at all religious and the music of Elvis was not their music of choice. I can remember the excitement of knowing that I was going to their house because I wanted to see that picture. It mesmerized me and I loved it. Remembering how this one painting made me feel, I can easily understand how the popularity of and the demand for this form of art grew as quickly as it did. With the explosive demand for velvet paintings, the artists not only found an income that would sustain them along with their families, but one that would let them enjoy a lifestyle that they could only dream of before. This may have been good for the artists had they known how to handle it. Given the areas that these paintings originated in, I can see how many of these artists could succumb to various temptations that left them dead or penniless. For many of the artists, velvet painting was more than just a way to make money. They took pride in the art of velvet painting. I think Chuy Moran was one of those artists. More than painting to make a living, I think Chuy went back to painting because he was an artist. It is my belief that if people would take a more vested interest in the areas in which they enter to contract and complete their business, many of the pitfalls which trap the locals who provide the labor could be avoided. Being taught and given the opportunity to do the right things concerning their families, their money, and their futures would be of great benefit not only to the local communities but to the global community.

Ridicule
I would hope to curtail this by creating a multicultural classroom. However, we do live in the real world and there will be times when students are made fun of, even with a tolerant classroom environment. It would greatly depend on the student as to the immediate response I would give. Some students need the re-assurance that it is perfectly acceptable to have and observe such a tradition while others would be encouraged with a simple smile from the teacher. I would, in order to further familiarize students with the tradition, plan a lesson in which that particular tradition could be explained and examined by the students.