Color Cement Handicraft

"Color Cement Handicraft" by Pedro J. Lemos and Reta A. Lemos is a practical guide on the techniques and applications of color cement work, written in the early 20th century. This book explores the creative potential of cement as a medium for artistic expression, particularly in the creation of decorative tiles, pottery, and other art objects. It aims to convey the process of combining aesthetics with utility, illustrating how color and design can transform traditional cement work into beautiful handicrafts. The opening of the text sets the stage by discussing the significance of cement in contemporary building materials and its potential for artistic applications. It provides a foreword that highlights the evolution of cement use and offers insights into the development of colored decoration in cement crafts. The authors introduce various techniques and processes, focusing on practical advice for educators, craftsmen, and hobbyists. For instance, they begin detailing the materials, equipment, and essential steps involved in creating quality color cement projects, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and careful preparation in achieving artistic results. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Pedro Joseph de Lemos was an American painter, printmaker, architect, illustrator, writer, lecturer, museum director and art educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to about 1930 he used the simpler name Pedro Lemos or Pedro J. Lemos; between 1931 and 1933 he changed the family name to de Lemos, believing that he was related to the Count de Lemos (1576–1622), patron of Miguel de Cervantes. Much of his work was influenced by traditional Japanese woodblock printing and the Arts and Crafts Movement. He became prominent in the field of art education, and he designed several unusual buildings in Palo Alto and Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.