Carroll Gardens library gets a homegrown mural, by Halley Bondy

From her birthplace in Michoacán, Mexico to her current home in Brooklyn, artist Maria de Los Angeles brings a fascinating life story – and with it, a mural for Carroll Gardens families.

In December, the Carroll Gardens Library unveiled De Los Angeles’ new mural: a colorful composite of drawings by local kids who were inspired by books like Charlotte’s Web, Curious George, Goodnight Moon and more. The welcoming piece greets library goers as soon as they enter the building.

Inspired by books

During three separate workshops in the library, children of all ages were asked to select a book that inspired them, then to interpret the book through their own illustrations. Guided by Los Angeles, the kids came up with colorful works ranging from words to faces and bridges.

The paintings were then pieced together on an 80 by 120 inch canvas by De Los Angeles, a professional artist who lives in Bushwick.

“I wanted it to be playful and unschooled,” said De Los Angeles. “I’ve been through a lot of education – but I wanted this to be more like a sketch. I wanted it to be free, and to make it closer to the children’s drawings themselves.”

De Los Angeles wasn’t familiar with many of the selected books. She was born in Mexico and smuggled into the US when she was 11 years old. De Los Angeles was then raised in Santa Rosa, California. She eventually graduated from Pratt – followed by Yale – for art. Riding an impressive art career that spans both coasts, De Los Angeles is currently an artist in residence at the Museo del Barrio in East Harlem.

“The mural is about paying it forward,” said De Los Angeles. “I got an amazing education. I never would have imagined going to Yale as an undocumented kid. I think that everybody, every child, should be what they want to become.”

With her status threatened by the impending Trump administration, much of De Los Angeles’s artwork is centered around the politics of citizenship and belonging. Her current exhibit at Museo del Barrio features watercolor, mixed media, and dresses collaged with political themes.

When a library volunteer approached De Los Angeles to work on a kid’s mural in Carroll Gardens, it was admittedly a reprieve.

“A children’s mural was a big break from the immensity of the political situation,” she said. “It has more to do with the daily lives of those who come into the library, and so they don’t have an empty wall. When children enjoy the work, it’s the biggest compliment ever. They are so genuine.”

De Los Angeles once created a mural for a children’s hospital in California, but this is the first time she gleaned inspiration directly from kids in a workshop setting. She plans to embark on more collaborative efforts in the future, including a piece with students from Santa Rosa Middle School – her alma mater.

“Education is really important,” said De Los Angeles. “Creating programs, interactions, and getting children to experience positive things – and meet people from different backgrounds – will help them as people growing up.”