Maria's gift

This is a gift for the Garcia family for their new home. My dear comadre Maria has been a true sister to me since I moved here. Her family as opened their home and hearts to me and have shown me much love. I consider her a gift in my life both professionally and personally. When she asked that I create a Guadalupe piece for her home I was pleased to do so. The images are dear to her and tell a story of family, perseverance, strength, and love. I am honored that her four beautiful daughters call me tia Sabrina; they are the angels in this work. Paz y amor con mucho carino.

March snow and woodpecker medicine

My backyard is quickly becoming a winter wonderland. Funny how the snow changes everything. Just when the daffodils are beginning to bloom we get snow twice in one week.

The woodpecker is known as the Earths drummer. Drumming is the heartbeat of mother earth and is associated with shamanism and the ability to move into other dimensions at will. The woodpecker represents self discovery; as they peck into and through trees and dead wood, hidden layers of ones psyche are revealed. The woodpecker is able to find food hidden under layers of bark and wood and teaches us to dig deeply to find truth and deceptions. Woodpecker energy is associated with prophecy and the ability to see deeper than surface lies.

Woodpecker speaks of not being hard-headed because they are able to use their beak to peck at trees. Woodpecker is telling us that even if something seems difficult to do, not to give up. To do what works, even if it is unconventional. To set your own pace, your own rhythm.
Back into the studio to dig deep and see what I uncover.






Ancestor tribute sat on the railing to visit for a bit then...

...back to the earth

cleansing, creating and reflection

Lesbianas estan donde queria c/s

I've been in the studio getting ready for a show in April and trying to finish several works that have been waiting for my attention. Feeling like I am ready for spring and the end of another personal year. I am preparing myself.

As my new year or birthday approaches I take time to center myself, cleanse my physical, emotional, and spiritual space in preparation for a new start. I like to review lessons learned, lessons in process and re examine where I am in relation to my work and with others. I do not separate myself from my work. It is all interconnected. I see my work as a mirror, personal journal, healing place, and voice, reflecting my adventures with myself and others. Mas later as I continue the process this month.

Remembering raulsalinas Pachuco

The celebrated Xicanindio poet raulrsalinas performs with a great backing band in San Antonio, TX at the Trini Sanchez memorial tribute on Aug. 6, 2006. The incredible band includes Manny Castillo from Snowbyrd on Drums, Roland de la Cruz from the Mescaleros on Guitar and Eddy Hernandez from Sexto Sol on Bass. Filmed by Victor Payan (http://www.aztecgoldtv.com).

raulrsalinas is the author of three collections of poetry: Un Trip thru the Mind Jail y Otras Excursions (Editorial Pocho-Ché, 1980; Arte Público Press, 1999), East of the Freeway: Reflections de mi pueblo (Red Salmon Press, 1995), and Indio Trails: A Xicano Odyssey thru Indian Country (Wings Press, 2006). Recently, UT Press published a selected collection of his prison writings entitled raulrsalinas and the Jail Machine: My Weapon Is My Pen (edited by Louis Mendoza, 2006).

Feliz Dia de Amor y Amistad!

Happy St. Valentine's Day or Dia de Amor y Amistad!
New work in progress, drawing with the machine and playing with some color.

Austin's pachuco poet and activist dies

photo by Valentino Mauricio

Austin poet and activist Raúl Salinas has died. I was touched that once he had commented on my art. I will remember the Xicanindio who called me a Xicanindia. I will remember the cave like nest of a bookstore filled with the smell of sage and inscense and books about resistance, revolution, and a strong people with a long history. I will remember the tatooed braided silver haried elder who always had a story and a laugh for me when I would visit. I will remember that my art, my politic, my spirituality are all a part of me. I will remember Raul.


By Omar L. Gallaga
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

The author and longtime fixture at South Austin's La Resistencia Bookstore wrote several influential books of Chicano poetry, including "East of the Freeway: Reflections de mi Pueblo," and "Un Trip Through the Mind Jail y Otras Excursions."

His most recent book, "raúl salinas and the Jail Machine: Selected Writings of raúl salinas" was published in 2006 by University of Texas Press.

The bespectacled, pony-tailed writer, born in 1934 in San Antonio, aligned himself with the Beat poets and had used stints in prison that began in 1957 on drug-related charges in California, as fodder for his work.

The poet said he was reborn in prison, where he said he got in touch with his "Native spirituality and indigenous self."

He would go on to teach many writing and social activism classes, whether it was at schools such as St. Edwards University or at juvenile detention centers across the country.

Salinas was actively involved in city politics and also played host at La Resistencia, which opened in 1981, to art and spoken-word events. The cultural group he created, Red Salmon Arts, continues to host performances and artist events.

He told the Spanish newspaper ¡ahora sí! in 2005, "This is my world," Salinas says, "I have to navigate it. I've always combined my art, my politics, my spirituality, as part of my total being."

Happy Mardi Gras New Orleans Crew

Since Katrina New Orleans friends are all over. Many relocated to Arkansas where we now enjoy a taste of the culture. Holding on to tradition and culture adds spice to communities, figuratively and literally!
This mask piece is an older one when I was still creating large over beaded sections on my work. Kim DeCoste fof Quilts Inc. dubbed my work as "overbeading" way back in the 90's during the Embellishment Shows. These shows were great since the focus was on artquilts and a buffett of beads, trims, buttons, fabrics and all things shiny!