highest aspirations

2007 Untitled mixed media
She looked up to the sky and believed in the beauty of her dreams. She bowed down to the moon and prayed...

gossip

2006 detail of Untitled No.30 mixed media





A Spanish proverb says that whoever gossips TO YOU
will gossip ABOUT YOU.....so it's probably best to just STOP listening to gossip altogether...

necessary guts

2007 Untitled mixed media study




"Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely necessary." -Jessamyn West


one of my favorite quotes

humble & noble

2007 Untitled study for sculpture

Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
- SERBIAN PROVERB

openings for happiness

2007 Untitled mixed media study

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” HELEN KELLER

doors of happiness...there are infinite openings for happiness

music & silence

2007 Untitled study
I meditate with music and with silence.
I write with music and with silence.
I dance to the music of silence...

My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music, and silence.
Edith Sitwell

(1887 - 1964)

leona de orquídeas

2007 Untitled mixed media
leona de orquídeas

diosa del olvido

tienes hambre

tienes frio

no creas en el castigo

men like air

2007 Untitled mixed media study

"Out of the ash

I rise with my red hair

And eat men like air”
SYLVIA PLATH

a provocative quote that has stayed with me

empty inside?

2007 Untitled mixed media study






“Outside noisy, inside empty.” - Chinese Proverb

enslaved freedom

2007 Untitled study

are you free?

truly free?

what ideas keep you hostage?

what concepts hold you back?

what does true freedom look like to you?

who do you enslave?

"The freer that women become, the freer men will be. Because when you enslave someone, you are enslaved." Louise Nevelson

a woman's enviornment

2007 Untitled mixed media detail
What does your bedroom look like right now? Is your bed made to tight perfection, anticipating later tonight...or is it passionately rumpled and ready to welcome you back in already ?

"A woman's environment will speak for her life, whether she likes it or not." -Elsie de Wolfe

cantando carnaval

2007 Untitled mixed media
we need to remember to enjoy life
to live to the fullest
to dance and to sing

Celia Cruz is one of my favorite musicians...I love this song and believe it is a prayer to life, to the carnival that life is...

Todo aquel que piense que la vida es desigual,
tiene que saber que no es asi,
que la vida es una hermosura, hay que vivirla.
Todo aquel que piense que esta solo y que esta mal,
tiene que saber que no es asi,
que en la vida no hay nadie solo, siempre hay alguien.

Ay, no ha que llorar, que la vida es un carnaval,
es mas bello vivir cantando.
Oh, oh, oh, Ay, no hay que llorar,
que la vida es un carnaval
y las penas se van cantando.

Todo aquel que piense que la vida siempre es cruel,
tiene que saber que no es asi,
que tan solo hay momentos malos, y todo pasa.
Todo aquel que piense que esto nunca va a cambiar,
tiene que saber que no es asi,
que al mal tiempo buena cara, y todo pasa.

Ay, no ha que llorar, que la vida es un carnaval,
es mas bello vivir cantando.
Oh, oh, oh, Ay, no hay que llorar,
que la vida es un carnaval
y las penas se van cantando.
Para aquellos que se quejan tanto.
Para aquellos que solo critican.
Para aquellos que usan las armas.
Para aquellos que nos contaminan.
Para aquellos que hacen la guerra.
Para aquellos que viven pecando.
Para aquellos nos maltratan.
Para aquellos que nos contagian.

[lyrics from Celia Cruz’s “La Vida es un Carnaval”]

dragon of change

2007 Untitled mixed media prayer for peace & forgiveness

Change is a dragon.

You can ignore it, which is futile.

You can fight it, in which case you will lose.

Or you can ride it. - CHINESE PROVERB

I am riding the dragon of fire towards peace and forgiveness.

rich by spending

2007 Untitled mixed media study for necklace/sculpture


My mother believes in keeping the flow. She has taught my brothers and I by example, by beautiful stoic example.

"Life begets life.

Energy creates energy.

It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich."

Sarah Bernhardt 1845-1923

she just doesn't like brown

2007 Untitled mixed media study for sculpture

“Look at her, she is wearing brown all over. She must like brown. I didn’t mean to insult the girl. I just don’t like brown.”

- one of my neighbors as I walked down the hallway

I have been wearing a lot of brown lately, with touches of neutrals. Brown is a trustworthy color that combines well with any other color. Brown reminds me of earth and of my connection to her.

However, in India, the color brown is associated with death and mourning, some say because it resembles decaying leaves and flowers. The Nazi uniform was brown...a dirty brown.

The UPS logo and uniform are brown. A man in a brown suit...very 1970’s salesman, eh? Let us not forget brown sugar and milk chocolate. What about brown-bag lunches? I do dislike how a banana is able to flavor my sandwich, but brown bananas do make good bread for tea (which is also a beautiful brown). Delicious raw almonds are brown. My eyes are brown. My hair is brown.

I suppose my blue-eyed, white-haired octogenarian neighbor just doesn’t like brown...

sunshine aspirations

2007 Untitled study
"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."
- Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)

Louisa May, I shall reach them...I am stretching and reaching...

Tefilat Haderech

2005 Untitled hand-dyed silk detail
Before a trip, I pray. Even in the rush to finish packing, I pray. This particular Jewish prayer is going into my new journal as I head out this early morning:

"May it be Your will, Eternal One, My God and God of my ancestors, to lead me, to direct my steps, and to support me in peace. Lead me in life, tranquil and serene, until I arrive at where I am going. Deliver me from every enemy, ambush and hurt that I might encounter on the way and from all afflictions that visit and trouble the world. Bless the work of my hands. Let me receive divine grace and those loving acts of kindness and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all those I encounter. Listen to the voice of my appeal, for you are a God who responds to prayerful supplication. Praised are you, Lord, who responds to prayer."

- The Traveler’s Prayer

Margarita Debayle, Musa de Darío

2007 "Tia Margarita" mixed media
My great-grandmother's sister is the eternal muse of the one and only Rubén Darío. I often dream with Tia Margarita for she has become my muse as well...

A MARGARITA DEBAYLE

Margarita, está linda la mar,
y el viento
lleva esencia sutil de azahar;
yo siento
en el alma una alondra cantar;
tu acento.
Margarita, te voy a contar
un cuento.

Este era un rey que tenía
un palacio de diamantes,
una tienda hecha del día
y un rebaño de elefantes.

Un kiosko de malaquita,
un gran manto de tisú,
y una gentil princesita,
tan bonita,
Margarita,
tan bonita como tú.

Una tarde la princesa
vio una estrella aparecer;
la princesa era traviesa
y la quiso ir a coger.

La quería para hacerla
decorar un prendedor,
con un verso y una perla,
una pluma y una flor.

Las princesas primorosas
se parecen mucho a ti.
Cortan lirios, cortan rosas,
cortan astros. Son así.

Pues se fue la niña bella,
bajo el cielo y sobre el mar,
a cortar la blanca estrella
que la hacía suspirar.

Y siguió camino arriba,
por la luna y más allá;
mas lo malo es que ella iba
sin permiso del papá.

Cuando estuvo ya de vuelta
de los parques del Señor,
se miraba toda envuelta
en un dulce resplandor.

Y el rey dijo: "¿Qué te has hecho?
Te he buscado y no te hallé;
y ¿qué tienes en el pecho,
que encendido se te ve?"

La princesa no mentía,
y así, dijo la verdad:
"Fui a cortar la estrella mía
a la azul inmensidad."

Y el rey clama: "¿No te he dicho
que el azul no hay que tocar?
¡Qué locura! ¡Qué capricho!
El Señor se va a enojar."

Y dice ella: "No hubo intento:
yo me fui no sé por qué;
por las olas y en el viento
fui a la estrella y la corté."

Y el papá dice enojado:
"Un castigo has de tener:
vuelve al cielo, y lo robado
vas ahora a devolver."

La princesa se entristece
por su dulce flor de luz,
cuando entonces aparece
sonriendo el buen Jesús.

Y así dice: "En mis campiñas
esa rosa le ofrecí:
son mis flores de las niñas
que al soñar piensan en mí."

Viste el rey ropas brillantes,
y luego hace desfilar
cuatrocientos elefantes
a la orilla de la mar.

La princesa está bella,
pues ya tiene el prendedor,
en que lucen, con la estrella,
verso, perla, pluma y flor.

Margarita, está linda la mar,
y el viento
lleva esencia sutil de azahar:
tu aliento.

Ya que lejos de mí vas a estar
guarda, niña, un gentil pensamiento
al que un día te quiso contar
un cuento.

Rubén Darío, 1908

Happy Birthday to all of those born on Bastille Day!

xocolatl

yesterday's surprise from France
From golden cups, the Aztec king consumed the dark and bitter liquid believing it to be an aphrodisiac meant for gods...

from a short story written many moons ago

she dressed in pearls

2007 Untitled study
she dressed in pearls from neck to foot

her eyes sparkled when she spoke

she told me to continue on the path

towards beauty

towards greatness

towards peace in the heart

from my dream last night

Antioco y Maruca

2007 "Papa-Coco y Uca" mixed mediaToday is their wedding anniversary. With those sparkling blue eyes and that unforgettable voice Antioco plays his guitar and serenades his beautiful and beloved Maruca...

Bésame, bésame mucho,
Como si fuera esta noche
La última vez.

Bésame, bésame mucho,
Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después.

Quiero tenerte muy cerca,
Mirarme en tus ojos,
Y estar junto a tí.

Piensa que tal vez mañana,
Estaré muy lejos,
Muy lejos de aquí.

Bésame, bésame mucho,
Que tengo miedo a perderte
Perderte después.

[original lyrics by Consuelo Velázquez 1917- 2005]

Papa-Coco and Uca are celebrating in heaven and in our hearts,
with each breath and through every smile...

nicaragua in darkness

2007 Untitled study


Very soon I shall be traveling to Nicaragua where there have been major shortages of light - of electricity. I must remember this proverb and my mosquito repellent...

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

CHINESE PROVERB

I must remember to BE a LIGHT...OM SHANTHI...SHANTHI...SHANTHI

think like a queen

2007 Untitled mixed media prototype for bracelet
He tells me I am his Queen.

I admit, I often believe him.

I think like a queen...and I have my mother to thank.

Oprah agrees...

“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.” Oprah Winfrey

hey you, LIVE EARTH

2006 Untitled mixed media
Madonna performed this song during yesterday's Live Earth concert in London...the message is powerful. I took the liberty of omitting a couple of the song's refrains:

Hey You

Don’t you give up

It’s not so bad

There’s still a chance for us

Hey You

Just be yourself

Don’t be so shy

There’s reasons why it’s hard

Keep it together

You’ll make it all right

A celebration is going on tonight

Poets and prophets would envy what we do

This could be good

hey you

Hey you

Open your heart

It’s not so strange

You’ve got to change

this time

Hey you

Remember this

None of it’s real

including the way you feel


Save your soul, little sister

Save your soul, little brother


Hey you

Save yourself

Don’t rely on anyone else

First, love yourself

Then, you can love someone else

If, you can change someone else

Then, you have saved someone else

But, you must first love yourself

Then, you can love someone else

Hey you

There on the fence

You’ve got a choice

One day it will make sense

Hey you

First, love yourself

Or, if you can’t

Try to love someone else

Keep it together

We ’ll make it all right

A celebration is going on tonight

Poets and prophets will envy what we do

This could be good

hey you

First, love yourself

Then, you can love someone else...

honour yourself, honour the earth, honour our sisters and brothers.
peace.

VII.VII.VII

I woke up at 7:07 today, dreaming of Grand Mother and her golden medallion. Today, the seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year of the current millennium is believed to be an auspicious day. Historically, the number seven carries deep spiritual significance, representing holiness, perfection and completion. A week has seven days. Many lovers are being married today...Seven Brides for Seven Brothers?

In grade school literature (perhaps in 7th grade) I learned about the Seven Deadly Sins, also known as the Seven Cardinal Sins. These go hand-in-hand with the Seven Virtues:

SUPERBIA-pride versus HUMILITY

INVIDIA-envy versus KINDNESS

IRA-wrath versus FORGIVENESS

ACEDIA-sloth versus DILIGENCE

AVARITIA-greed versus CHARITY

GULA-gluttony versus TEMPERANCE

LUXURIA-lust versus CHASTITY

7 wonders of the world

007

7th heaven

7-11

7 dwarfs of Snow White: (who always gave me the creeps)

Dopey
Sneezy
Sleepy
Doc
Bashful
Happy
Grumpy

7-for-all-mankind (my old jeans which I had before they became trendy)

7-year-itch (film with Marilyn’s infamous white dress)

7 continents

7 chakras

...we shall see what today brings...
Happy Birthday to Christine in Italia!

Frida Kahlo

2007 Untitled mixed media installationcon corona de flores

con collares de colores

ella pinta sus dolores

ella escribe sus amores

"I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone. Because I am the subject I know best."- Frida Kahlo

Happy 100th Birthday Frida!
July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954

clear skin secrets

2007 Untitled mixed media
Growing up, the women in my family had many "secrets" to a clear complexion.

One advised to drink lots of water and make sure not to perspire unless I washed my face right away.

Another would wash her face with milk - fresh goat's milk I think....while another swore baby's wet diapers held the secret.

I wonder if any of them would agree with Joan Crawford's secret....

I need sex for a clear complexion, but I'd rather do it for love.

Joan Crawford

excerpt from a manuscript in progress

beautiful AMERICA

2007 Untitled mixed media study
I have been humming this song for the last 3 days. If read very slowly, it becomes a prayer.

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

Oh beautiful, for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.

Oh beautiful, for pilgrims' feet

Whose stern, impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw;

Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law!

Oh beautiful, for heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America! May God thy gold refine,

'Til all success be nobleness, and ev'ry gain divine!

Oh beautiful, for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years,

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!

- Katharine Lee Bates 1859-1929

I pray for peace around the world. Peace in our hearts. Peace in our thoughts. Peace in our words. Peace in our actions. Peace...

time for self

2007 Untitled study
















"You have to CALENDAR time for yourself even if you have no idea what you're going to do with it." - Susie Bright

this is so important and so true

yoga lifestyle

2006-2007 Untitled mixed media detail




Yoga is so much more than stretching, strengthening and standing on one's head. Yoga is a lifestyle, a path towards enlightenment. Om, Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi...

“From here, what you see you become.”
- Patanjali

one year ago

2006-2007 "28-29" mixed media on canvas
Private Collection, Washington, D.C.
one year ago
canvas, spirit and paint
began the dance of color

it was his birthday
so this had to be special
something to proudly display

channeling rothko, pollock and picasso
more time was necessary

every day i prayed
every night i meditated

layer after layer
one year later, it manifested
the joyful dance of color