..."god" and "money" are for those who need them... I DON'T

Back in the days... i miss those paintings... 2010

In this 50 seconds you can see the details projected at the Dance Matters Show. Tiny accents that gave magic to the show, creating atmospheres and making the story line solid and clear.

The last project i did before leaving NYC was the scenery design and backdrop projection for a Mexican Dancer and Choreographer: Mariana Sanchez. The first show was "Light from within" and the second one "The present moment" both shows with a great message and a great energy. At first her detailed way of working was making my blood boil but once the product was out. The satisfaction and now a friendship built from work projects gave me a closer sense of her vision and her philosophy. Thank you Mariana for making part of it.

Going thru random files, i ran into this old portfolio postcard, that was an assignment for school, i never printed it out, although i think it's a nice piece that can describe me 10 years ago, and now i'm in a complete different frequency. Still social content still humanitarian and altruistic but with a less idealist essence, the world make us a bit bitter-realistic, and we change, same way trees make their skin thicker.

History of East Elmhurst

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company is now celebrating history thru dance and music. East Elmhurst was somehow my community and i won't ever forget that Louis Armstrong's home was few doors down from where i lived for the past 5 years in NYC.
Still designing and collaborating with Calpulli, I miss you guys.

Coming back home and getting around, re connecting with things i used to do... i found friends with a new dance studio and we had a collaboration doing scenery design, lighting and projection.

First show case with basic resources but very happy to be part of it.

It's been a while since i haven't been in front of a worth piece of art. One of my favorite muralists. Gonzales Camarena.

Good bye New York

           

I debated whether posting this or not. But it was a nice experience recording my last rides in the city.  

10 YEARS ON ONE WHEEL

I bought it by accident without even knowing how challenging it was to just get on it, i bought it due to lack of funds... A regular bike was four times more expensive and the owner of the shop, pulled it out as a joke and i fell in love of the piece.  Back in 2007 i used to live by Lincoln Center perfect empty space for practicing late nights to not be embarrassed of my failures in front of public, and one night out of nowhere dancers were walking by after having a show and one of them showed me the trick to get the feeling of what it was like to feel the balance and magic of the unicycle skill... Since then, rooftops, empty streets, in the rain, snow, day or night were my scene to have great moments in the city where every one wants to be.

Today April 18 2017, i had to let it go so i can go back home in two more days... tonight it will be in great hands of another crazy one who will be doing exact the same thing i did 10 years ago.

Sometimes i get into projects i could never explain why or how they get to me, and even though they don't offer an intellectual growth, still a lot of learning process while working on them. 

Grad Center MDRD

Picking up memories from our last place where we had the great experience of being part of Latin American Studies activities, and where our collective had its last episode.

Somewhere in their own journey each one of who was part of this. Thank you for your time and your talent. You all will always be in my heart.

Boda Mexicana Calpulli Mexican Dance

This two minutes animation was made to support the story of Boda Mexicana, and the beautiful song is what we called "son itsmeño" from region Itsmo from Oaxaca.

Once again, Thank you Calpulli for being always a platform of my work all these years.

Six years of work and and life lasting friendship, thank you Juan, Alberto, Griselle for having me in your team-family. We'll cross roads some day some where once again. Thank you for bringing a bit of Mexico to all of us that have been away for so long.

Once again! We got an amazing show with great talents together, La ultima y nos vamos!

Years ago, Shawn was a street vendor right in front  of the cafe i used to work, eventually she moved to California, where she started an amazing community work, and she named her work BENNU, i got this tshirt from her and we wanted to have a photo as the presence of her work in nyc. And proudly here i am, sharing this shot and admiring the power or her words and actions on the other side of this country.

LIBERTY NYC

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

I found this collage i did in school, i never finished and looks like all the pieces were just thrown on the plate but they never got organized... i liked the composition... i can say now... it seems finshed...

Feeling hopelesss... no joke ....the world is turning into a dumb, boring, pattern to live in...

Fidel Castro, thank you for showing the world that still men standing against the system.   :.(  

.ADIOS FIDEL, Y GRACIAS POR SIEMPRE

I won't stay to see America "great again"....

M.A.M.O.N. - Latinos VS. Donald Trump / Ale Damiani from Taxi Films on Vimeo.

I don't know what to think about this whole circus show... but since 1810 Mexico has had presidents we never wanted, or liked, or voted for... Still the hate that this man has shown to immigrants, women, and to all kind of color human being it really is out of control. I have nothing else but laugh about it.

This is my last Dia de Muertos in NYC, heading back home soon, leaving this country where i have spent 10 years of my life and sadly has turned into a place where racism, and hostility makes it the most retrograde place where to live. I'll be heading down to south america to come back up to my own roots and find a new place where to settle my work and my dreams.

Calpulli gave me this last chance to be part of them and i will always be grateful :)

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, once again, a successful show, big production as always, live music, dance, visual arts and traditions together.

A week ago, a friend of mine wanted me to do a rough sketch of the sky line of the city where every one wants to be (that by accident i live in). As much as i tried three sketches, i hated one after the other one, and i realized that, it was more the unpleasant experience of drawing something i don't care much for, although such a forced action made meditate about all the experiences i have had in here. NYC has been an experience that gave me a lot but also took a lot from me... Why did i post this?

Thru the years i met so many people, different perspectives, great minds, and as time was passing by, little by little the great crowd vanished. I haven't seen most of you guys, but you are always in my mind. We might not get back, we might not run into each other, but i will always have them in a very special place. MRD.

Calpulli Mexican Dance 2016

I have to confess, i had abandoned my passions, since life has gotten a bit tougher, but even tough in the beginning i regretted accepting this project... i guess it was meant to happen to be re connected with myself.             Always, thank you Juan and Beto for letting me part of it!

This is a quite old drawing, found in my files, resembles to Tlatelolco with the name of my friend Edgar as one of the 1968 student's generation.

 i haven't been able to draw, paint, or do anything creative... i guess i'm becoming a boring adult and life is just about work... sad...

Bolivia is one of the places i want to visit and live there, the andean culture has always been in my work and this time  i made a doll representing  a Bolivian woman with her flutes and flowers. On her back the cosmos, down her foot autumn leaves and spring on her soulders, two earrings of jade, turtles birds butterflies and lady bugs, the colors of the Aimara flag in every single element.

PACHA MAMA

Leo was an unexpected member of the group he came with his brother and he was just giving it a try, sarcastic, funny but never thought he was going to get this far. At his house, the walls are full of his artwork, MUCH RESPECT for his strength and inspiration, he and his brother keep working on different projects and getting to see their improvement and development makes me feel at times jealous but grateful. :)

Even sugar skulls have been terribly over rated by marketing and terribly miss understood and confusing halloween with Catrina, still makes a huge different when the skull is painted on a true mexican. We own it and no matter how good a body painting can be, behind the black hair and eyes and that cinnamon skin, there's one place where day of the dead is originally and and belongs to the essence of Mexico. Silvia and Noelia, two coworkers, no matter how long the shift can be, we still make time for our traditions to have them always present. 

Ayotzinapa New York City

About a year ago, two of our most loyal and beloved friends lost their mom back home, this year we had her in our ofrenda next to Edgar and our relatives, after a long period of time absent in the community we come back sharing our most expected day : Dia de nuestros muertitos, Thank you Terraza, Feddy Castiblanco, Carolina and Radio Jarocho among other magical people that shared with us such a special day.

Ayotzinapa New York City

Our ofrenda was  to welcome our relatives and beloved friends, the sun made of corn and paper flowers symbolize our hope, love and our pain for our 43 friends who we expect to see 

Ayotzinapa

This used to be our home from we were kicked out, the main Mexican Org. in NYC was closed by it's corrupt administration manipulating the community thru religion and extortion, a micro cosmos of our country in the US.  The positive things vanished behind those doors and their directors and administrators still like rats running around the city like the ones we see in the subway. :(

RIP Tepe

About a year ago, Cindy Castillo was part of this amazing opportunity at Moma, and now this year Brian is bringing his work and perspective to this incredible museum. It's always inspiring to see evolution and hard work in new platforms and also taking challenges and receiving the opportunities that this city has for everyone. Be like them! Next year who is gonna be there?

Congratulations Brian, even Comic art is your passion, this experience will solidify more your advance work!

This has  nothing to do with my art, but it's an incredible phenomenon back home in Mexico, we've been having, chacho and chacha for over 30 years and they've been an amazing couple, two turtles from the dessert that at some point knocked the door of our house and decided to live with us. Now 6 baby turtles! :)

For over a year, i've been visiting a friend house, Brian who got in touch with me when he was applying for several Art Schools. We prepared a good solid portfolio, just the same way years ago We did with Cindy (you can find a post about here work, scroll down).

So Brian's parents who i have SO MUCH RESPECT AND ADMIRATION, i wish we had more like them, brought me this great opportunity to collaborate in the formation of this very talented Comic Artist whose been working on his stories since he was 5. You would be amazed by the amount of work and impressive development that he has been on for years. NOW Brian is in the school that he wanted to be and soon you'll hear from his work that will be successful and inspiring for others.

I had abandoned my blog for a bit,  the inspiration and creative spirit hasn't been around that often, but i still find in my room drawings here and there that remind me that i have to get back...

A long eventless winter in NYC... Mother Nature was rough, and it was one of the coldest winters i have ever lived... One thing i can say, Much respect for the power of nature so we can understand that we are not in control of everything, Pachamama manda!

Before 2014 ended, i had the chance to participate once again with Calpulli Mexican Dance Co. Animating the backgrounds for their dances, The day of the Dead was the theme , my favorite celebration. Thanks Calpulli for letting me be part of your projects. :)

Ayotzinapa. Far from my people, i still feel the pain and the anger, the routine keeps me sleepy, tired, disgusted from everything, but my heart still beats fighting for my ideals... I'm still here, yo no he desaparecido...

I found this pictures in my files, it's hard for me to think about their future in such an aggressive society, we all have the responsibility to make sure that they know that the cultural background, their history, their principles and their nature has to be seed in their habits and life style so they can build a better future.

Even though many of our  dreams and projects have been  dying one by one, there is still a candle light in the middle of the darkness, i miss you amigo, so much... and even i have no much results of our dreams to bring you at this ofrenda, i'm still missing you a lot.... EDGAR

Four years ago, She came with her mom and her two incredibly supportive sisters to build a portfolio for an audition that was going to allow her to study architecture, for over 3 weeks we gathered in a room of the well known Brooklyn Music School. She got accepted in school and was part of our art collective for years and now she gave us the surprise inviting me to see her work at the Teen Art Show.

She and her family are a PURE INSPIRATION, and testimony that you can make things happen if you believe in yourself.  THANK YOU CINDY, ELVIRA, GABY AND YOU LAURA. MUCH RESPECT.

We paint a backdrop with flowers, cactus and hummingbirds, representing the north and the south of Mexico and the Monarch Butterflies representing the immigrant community.

Huichol Art was projected while the musicians were performing music from Nayarit.

Textiles were projected
according to different dances of regions and states of Mexico.

In one of the coldest days of the winter, after class cancelation due to a snow storm, we were up to meet for a drawing session at the MET. The museum was pretty empty as you can see in the pictures. We enjoyed being together avoiding being indoors in our houses. Feel free to join us and grab a piece of paper and pencil to spend good time in a great place for free.

Accion Migrante Colaboration

This is our delayed :( colaboration with Accion Migrante colective from Mexico that works with immigrants in transit.
We compile several kind of expressions like creating posters, tagging public places with Monarch Butterflies, and photographing the community wearing suggar skulls of the day of the death... and also our commute to work during a winter storm. :) December 18 International day of the immigrant.

More dreams die this year... But we still light candles and water cempazuchitl, we still standing in our 4th year together, it gets tougher, but we get stronger.

This is our day of the dead at Terraza Cafe, wonderful experience, families together!! that's what we want!!! :) and also we present Museo del Barrio Collaboration, a new way of setting an ofrenda, we painted the elements of the ofrenda in large scale banners, unfortunately the space was limited and we ended up setting 12 pieces.

Both projects were dedicated to Edgar Graza Morales our beloved friend. Te extrañamos KU y sigues con nosotros.

nezahualcoyotl

Our work is merely dedicated to our beloved friend Edgar Garza Morales

We got the opportunity to participate for the art collective at Museo del Barrio celebrating DIA DE LOS MUERTOS.
Our work is a series of banners , each one portraying an element of the traditional ofrenda. Each member of the collective picked an inspirational figure that holds the element, such as Fire, Sugar Skulls, Music, Flowers among others.

Our work still humble and our access to this institutions still moving in slow, going through back doors but reaching other audiences.
Thank you Museo del Barrio for giving us an opportunity to collaborate and be part of our favorite celebration.