air. Christmas Papel picados made for Christmas are traditionally done with red or green tissue paper and with patterns of people and or objects relating to the holiday such as baby Jesus, angels, the Virgin Mary, Christmas trees, and bells. Weddings When crafted for weddings, papel picados are usually done on white tissue paper and engraved with patterns such as doves, hearts, churches, and wedding cakes. Moreover, these types of papel picado are crafted in a way to resemble white lace. Cut Paper Figures Papel picados are also used to assist in one's life journey. It is believed that if someone wanted to improve a relationship, better their crops, or receive assistance in a particular area of their life, they would go to the shaman (someone thought to have contact with the spirits) who would cut a figure into a papel picado themed to the person's specific need, which would help their situation. For the papel picados to do their job of assisting in one's life, they must be placed either on the family altar or in a more specific area, depending on the particular purpose of the papel picado. Notable papel picado artists Olga Ponce Furginson (born 1918) is an artist who grew up in Mexico and, after graduating from Woodbury University in Burbank, California and staying in the United States, has opened several exhibits and has had some of her artwork featured in films and television shows. Carmen Lomas Garza (born 1948) is a successful artist and author who is of Mexican-American descent. She is mainly known for her paintings and papel picado, and her artwork has been featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Museum of Mexican Art, and many other museums. Margaret Sosa (born 1948) graduated from California State University and has studied papel picado for over three decades. She worked under master papel picado artist Olga Ponce Furginson, and her artwork can now be found in exhibits around the world. Margaret 'Quica' Alarcón (born 1969) was raised in East Los Angeles and now lives a life as an artist and teacher. Her artwork has been featured in many museums such as the Palos Verdes Art Center, Galeria Otra Vez in Self Help Graphics & Art, and Avenue 50 Studio. Herminia Albarrán Romero is a Mexican-American artist who is best known for her papel picado, of which she learned to make at a young