This document describes an art project by James Adcox featuring his sugar skull block print. It provides instructions for students to create their own cultural sugar skull print, including planning sketches of sugar skulls and symbols, transferring a half-skull design to linoleum, carving, inking and printing. Requirements specify the print must be symmetrical and include a minimum of 5 cultural symbols designed or modified by the student. Tools needed are listed as well as printing procedures. The document also briefly profiles James Adcox and his art mediums of oil, watercolor and printmaking, and showcases some of his portrait works in progress.

1. The Culture Project
Featuring Inspirational Local
Artist James Adcox

2. Meet James
From Texas to Nome, AK
To Kenai, Alaska
His Media:
Oil, Watercolor, Printmaking

3. Home Studio
• James Displays
Art and artifacts
that inspire him
in his studio or
“Art Room”.Work in progress

4. His Art:
Tells Stories
and
Experiances!

5. Choice 1: Sugar Skull Culture
Sugar Skull Block
Print.
By James Adox
James created this
because he loves the
style. He also ties it to
his Mexican heritage.
All the things inside
define who he is now.
What cultures are
represented inside?
What do you see?
How is it arranged ?
Principle of Design
What are the moods and
feelings?
What does it make you
wonder?
Do you like it? Why or why
no?
What would you change?

6. Planning
• Sketch at least 3 sugar skulls to practice shape and scale: see sketchbook
assignments
• Sketch at least 6 symbols that represent your interests and personal culture:
see sketchbook assignments
• Draw out half of your design onto your linoleum block

7. Tools and Procedures
• Tools: Tracing paper, linoleum piece, carving tools, brayer.
• Step 1: Trace the half of the sugar skull you have drawn.
• Step 2: Transfer that half to match and create a symmetrical skull design
• Step 3: Carve out the negative space
• Step 4: Roll ink on with the brayer and run through the roller.
• Step 5: create at least 5 good prints correctly labeled
• Step 6: Create one piece with creative modifications as mentioned in class.

8. Requirements
• SYMETRICAL
• Work is planned and sketched from the beginning.
• Follow the creative process
• Minimum of 5 cultural symbols that YOU modified or invented.
• QUALITY and CRAFTSMANSHIP
• On-Task and CLEAN UP

9. Choice 2: Watercolor portrait
James Adcox, watercolor: His teacher from
Nome and a self portrait start.
Start of an oil portrait: James Adcox

10. Things to remember from James
• Tell a Story: Example (left) His version of
Dante’s Inferno
• Capture Personality
• Get a deadline (Motivation)
• ANYTHING CAN BE BEAUTIFUL IF
DONE RIGHT!