Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery 2009

It's that time of the year when we remember our relatives who have passed on to the other side. Dia de los muertos is becoming just as popular as Christmas. I prefer the Day of the Dead a lot more than Halloween. This year we went to celebrate at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery where there were altars, music, vendors and grave sites. It was a an amazing visual experience. Here is my gal in her princess costume and her face painted like a calavera. She loved it as much as I did. It's nice to have a companion to enjoy these wonderful experiences. Click on this link: Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Dia de Los Muertos  to see the website.

Life size paper mache sculpture in the mausoleum. 

My sister with Toot watching a performance in the mausoleum. 

Toot was also drawn to these two women (men?). Their costumes and makeup were wild. I wish I had taken a better photo.

This was the stage background. It was enormous and beautiful. I was reminded of my childhood when we would go to Tijuana. In Tijuana I was mesmerized by all the amazing colors and smells that were so different from here at home. I want my girl to experience as many places and events like this while she is young so that she may also have the connection of my family's culture.  

Oh! and we got to see and hear Lila Downs perform on this stage. Great voice and performer! A first for all of us.

I will leave you with these photos of our experience. Celebrate! May you have a safe and fun Halloween or Dia de los Muertos and remember your family and friends who have gone on to the spirit world.

Earthworm and A Ladybug Feasting on Aphids.

Pleased to say that I've finished a couple of small pieces. Well, almost finished. I still need to add string or wire so they may be hung.

This is an earthworm. Worm compost inspired.

I do love this piece! Nice flowing lines on the worms outline. My favorite green and I do like the contrasting pink. The black lines are grass. Earth and grass meeting at the bottom.

Ladybug feasting on aphids.

Today we worked on a leaf painting project that kept us busy for a while. The leaves we collected were from our front and backyard. Finger painting the leaves was a lot easier than using the brushes I first had her use. It's refreshing to watch Toot dive into the paints and not be afraid to get her fingers full of paint. The paints are non-toxic.

We glued the leaves beside their print and I put them in a clear sleeve to keep them for memories.

As you can see Tootie is also learning how to write. She can write her name without my spelling it out for her. All other words she asks me to spell out and she'll meticulously write each letter with great care. She likes making lists for when we go to the farmer's market. The last list she made had a single word, "Strawberries".

Home Improvement: The Bench

Here are a couple of before and after photos of a cute little bench that I've given a makeover.

The weather has been ideal for painting outdoors and I found the weekends the best time to work on it. This shade of green is a favorite of mine and I find myself using it in my paintings quite a bit. Now, it's the bench's turn to wear it for a while. There is an old picnic bench that is next on my list. I hope to get it done before the cool weather comes.

This is what she looked like before I fixed her up.

Cute design on the metal frame. I lightly sanded the frame with some sandpaper and steal wool before I spray painted with a lightly textured paint that required no primer.

It was very easy to take apart and I did label each slat with tape and a number so I could put each one back in its original place.

The slats were individually sanded with a sanding pad and 80 grit sanding paper. Great exercise!

Ta Da!!

Now, I should mention that The Gorilla thinks I should be cleaning the house (vacuum, bathroom, mopping....) on weekends. I have a hard time picking up the broom and mop on weekends when I would much rather be sanding and painting on projects like this.

I can never please The Gorilla.

Peace.

"Red Leaves"

"Red Leaves"

Opaque watercolors and ink

I've finished this piece, finally. It's part of my Dream Landscape Series. Landscapes have become a personal discovery which I will continue to express with small paintings and drawings. I've always got one in the background. They patiently wait for me to add some more. Lately, I've got about four projects that I am working on, and each one is different from the other. I do well with variety. In the end I feel they all have a bit of me which is apparently mine. Like the Toot.

Here's a little something I made as a birthday gift for my second cousin,Citlali. It was a lot of fun to make and I know now what direction I'll be going with my Etsy store.

Saturday I went to buy more art supplies to make more pieces like this. The art supply store is always a great place for me to visit. Especially when I've got a $100 dollar gift certificate. On trips like this I always bring along plenty of meter money for parking so I can take my time. This is a methodical task which I take much pleasure in executing. When I step inside the store I feel the creative energy like a strong wind and I'm On!

An hour later I'm walking out with a bag full of 6 bottles of liquid acrylic paints, Matt finish spray, 2 nice detail brushes, 7 basic brushes for loose work, 2 sketchbooks for my Toot, 1 tube of titanium white acrylic, 20 tiny viles with airtight seals, and 1 box of Sculpy. This is all I need to keep me happy. I must get to bed so I can get an early start.

Good Night!