Baby's tree

My first wall mural. My brother's friend is having a baby but did not want the conventional baby room. So she hired me for this modern twist on baby's room. I brought in my skilled artist boyfriend to help speed up the process and made it a collaborative project. It was smooth painting. I designed it a day before and called him in to follow me with a paintbrush. He massed while I detailed and he second coated while I corrected edges and smudges. A perfect team. I wouldn't have it any other way. In less than 5 hours we had already cleaned and finished. There is nothing better than having a partner who is skilled with the brush, for he is an instant help when you need him.

I really enjoyed this project and the experience I got with drawing and gridding and painting on a larger scale with another artist. I think it looks satisfying, simple yet complex. So much fun I had. Fun I had. Had I am.

My sister's wedding

My sister is getting married! She's not only the first but the youngest of us 4. She asked me to do this for her reception and I can't believe I'm done. 1 week before the wedding so now I'm off to buy a frame. (ps- no more traditional stuff for a while....I need to start having more fun on these projects)

Just wanted to share this with you guys. I haven't been completely inactive, just doing other things, such as wedding stuff and trying to launch my own company. I'm working on the marketing and nitty gritty right now but I'm trying to get into kid's face painting.

Wish me luck and lets see how this new adventure goes.

Back from Mexico!

I have been gone for as month and I've been everywhere! Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, Mexico City, Morelia, Patzcuaro and Jalostotitlan. My family is from Guadalajara and I went to go visit, since its been 4 years since I've been there. I tried to paint and draw while I was there but I must was traveling for the most part light. I got to paint and draw in Vallarta with my sister, but that's because all she likes to do is relax and that gave me PLENTY of time to at least draw something and paint with watercolors and salt water. Yeah I wonder if the salt will have any long term effects on my mini sketches?
I found this lady and her granddaughter in Vallarta particularly funny with her umbrella hat and all, but she moved quite fast so I didn't get enough time to capture detail.
In Guadalajara I got a few minutes in front of a fountain but unfortunately I drew with my thinnest pen....AAAARRRGHHH....and it didn't scan at its best. But I still really like the water in this drawing.
This was at my aunt's roof of her 3 story apartment. So, my beautiful Grandmother (also Elba) left the 1st floor to 1 aunt, the 2nd floor to my mom, and the 3rd floor to another aunt. All sisters. I can't wait for my mom to finally take her place in the 2nd floor Enrique Rodo.

I had a wonderful time and wish I could wake up everyday to feel the warm rays of the sun on my face in the most beautiful, colorful, and liveliest place I know of. Mexico.

Dichos y Refranes

Ok, so this is the beginning of a big project. I'll have to get better pictures of these, but for now this is all I have. They are now in the hands of the Illustration department ready to be judged for spring show.

So what's the story? Like in every culture, Mexico is full of wonderful sayings. My mom always uses them. Her and Roberto compete to see who knows more. One day I realized, that although I am Mexican I was not born in the sacred land of my people. And I vowed, like all Pochos do, to be more Mexican than my fellow Pochos. (For those that don't know the term: Pochos= Children born in the USA from Mexican parents). I figured a good place to start was by really learning the sayings (dichos). I couldn't reverse my birthplace but I can speak like I was born in Guadalajara. Between my mother and Roberto they gave me a list of almost 200 dichos! I'm working on illustrating a book and these are the first I have done. The characters at the corners are the characters of my book and are none other than the 2 people that provided me with all those dichos. Thanks to them I am becoming less Pocha.

Boca cerrada no entran moscas= Literal translation: Mouth closed, flies don't get in. Basically, it means to shut your mouth and not to gossip or tell secrets. Or just plain, shut up.
Cuentas claras amistades largas= Translations: Clear dealings makes long friendships. In other words, if you record and sign all your monetary transactions with friends and family, your friendships will surpass time and money. Very important! Trust me!

Guess who

Here's something that I'm working on right now. Its just a sketch, but you guys might know who this is. If you guess, I'll give you a cookie.



OK, so nobody guessed. We're a week into May and a week past this original posting. Here is the final version and maybe this will help you guess who this is. Any kind of cookie you want. Mmmmm....