Las piñatas y las muñecas (2 words with “ñ”)…

I have always enjoyed playing with paper maché. Although piñatas were made out of clay when I was a child. As the years passed they became a liability because as they broke, shards of clay were scattered alongside the candy kids were picking up. So they soon moved into making them out of paper maché (safer YES, but it never had the awesome sound of the big crack when you hit the piñata with the stick). Anyway I learned how to make them out of paper maché, and made a few for our daughter’s birthday parties.
I felt nostalgia as I looked at these piñatas displayed in the central market in Guanajuato.

The paper maché dolls have always made an impression on me. They were a little scary when I was a kid. They are very popular dolls, but they always gave me the impression of looking like a mature woman, not a child. Aren’t dolls supposed to look like children? But there is also something kind of genius about them with their gladiator kind of heavy look, their bright colors and big eyes. They are a real magnet for me.

The recurring mexican icon…

The Cross.
Through our trip in "The Bajio" region of Mexico we found many iconic items. Sometimes easier to find in the smaller towns than in the big cities. For instance small towns, and in particular Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende are filled with churches. Every church has incredible crosses of many different styles. Some are primitive, classical or baroque. They are also used outside of houses, stores or restaurants. They are used as items of decoration on fountains, frames, and furniture. Its use seems to go beyond
religion…

Why are doors so interesting….

Specially in small towns the doors are wonderful. There seems to be a license for color and style. The array of materials, shapes, colors, type of hardware used make them unique. Some are wood, some are metal, some have big pad-locks. Some are elegant,some are simple. But they all mark an entry point, a wall of privacy dividing those from the outside and the inside.

Looking for art everywhere…

This lies in the ability to see things in an abstract mode. Remembering when you were a child and your parents would ask you to look at the sky and read the shape of a cloud as an elephant or an angel or a bird. Well, old walls and pavement “in my mind” make wonderful pieces of art. An old piece of cobblestone street with its rocks placed somewhat organized and somewhat at random is beautiful. As well as the cracks on an old wall with paint chipping out of it. The colors are faded, they mark the transition of time, they are worn, but they are beautiful.

Artista

I found the definition of “Artista” painted on a wall while walking the streets of Guanajuato. An important city in the history of Mexico, a city built over aqueducts, with very narrow streets called “callejones” most of which have no car access and instead have stairs to take you to the next landing or street. The "callejones" wonder and the romance of the city with them. Groups of college kids dressed in renaissance clothing play their guitars and other instruments serenading their loved ones. These streets make you question what might you find around the corner?

Time to get to work...

When someone lives in such a beautiful place as we do, it's easy to get distracted. But I really tried to carve out some time to get back to my "Greeter sculptures". They are outrageously funny. I am having a great time scavenging for parts to give them life. Many a walks, and trips to the "basurero", where I have become fast friends of Flor and her husband. It's getting very hot so the time has come to get up real early and get some stuff done before the sun starts steaming.

The broad strokes have been done, but the detail work needs to happen now.

Espiritu Santo....

There is an island off the Sea of Cortez called Espíritu Santo. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been at. The ocean is translucent, clearly blue green. Ultra polarized gorgeous. The island is protected by an environmental arm from the Mexican Government and only some camping is allowed via a permit. This rock formation forming the cave where I am sitting is from one side of the island, the color of the clay is very red. It's truly an amazing environment.