Papel Picado at Picante

We spent an evening with papel picado artist Enrique Martinez next door to Picante in Berkeley. His work is both traditional designs and his interpretations, including a Go Bears/Cal banner. You can see him in the evenings and you can view his work inside Picante. —Cathy McAuliffe

Papel picado artist, Enrique Martinez

For 26 years, artist Enrique Martinez has been creating colorful 'papel picado' cut tissuepaper banners.  

Traditionally, papel picado banners decorate Day of the Dead altars, buildings and streets during religious and secular celebrations in Mexico. Enrique's designs honor this custom and broaden the craft for many other uses and celebrations. 

His beautiful banners can be seen and purchased at his workshop, and they flutter in abundance from the rafters next door at Picante, Berkeley. Thanks, Enrique for demonstrating your craft to us.

Picante - Where you can plant it

I do like the long bar at Picante Cocina Mexicana in Berkeley. Had fun watching the locals plant themselves on a stool for hours. Great for sketchers like us! -- Vivian Aldridge

Picante where everybody knows your name

The bar on a Thursday evening at Picante Mexican Restaurant in Berkeley is a very "Cheers" kind of place. I didn't know everybody's name but Carlos the master-margarita-maker knew and he filled me in. – Cathy McAuliffe

Thursday, March 7, Come Sketch at Picante in Berkeley

COME SKETCH WITH US!
Thursday, March 7, 6:30-8:30 pm

LOCATION CHANGE:
Picante Cocina Mexicana
1328 Sixth Street, Berkeley
https://picanteberkeley.com

Explore the flavors of seven regions of Mexico. Sketch the tortilla makers, colorful Puebla paper picado, Mexico City terra cotta cazuelas and hand-carved Oaxaca masks.

Wall Masks at Picante Cocina Mexicana, Berkeley

Mas Picante

Burritos + drawing = a good combination plate.  Great to see everyone who came out to Picante.

Vivian and her take-out carton

Picante in Berkeley

Good dinner and good sketching last night at Picante Mexican Restaurant in Berkeley. See Micaela's post below for photos of the staff looking at our sketches.

Picante—Cocina Mexicana

They grind organic corn daily to make 

their own tortillas - enough said!

We had an appreciative audience!

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