I got Tekpatl for my Birthday!

Tekpatl eliza

9x11 3/4" Acrylic on Hardboard

I celebrated another year of life this summer by spending the day with a great mentor, respected elder, and friend, Nora Chapa Mendoza. Her work, known for it's power in exploring hidden images, the spiritual and sacred, and strong women, has always attracted me. We spent the day in her studio, and she shared a signature technique with me. I started this piece that day, and brought it to this point during our next session. I am especially happy with it because tekpatl appeared, a nahuatl symbol that has a great significance to me, as it's the symbol assigned to the day I was born, and I love the meaning. As she explained, tekpatl, or flint knife, is the sharp object that deftly cuts through the layers to reveal the essence or core. I like to associate it with a certain type of vision, so my hawk-eye stare peering out made perfect sense. This painting makes me feel good, such a perfect present!

Here's the rest of my recent work...

Here are a few more pieces I started this month, if I can resist being outside playing during the last weekend of summer (!!!), I'll be touching these up and trying to get em done...

Experimenting With Golden OPENs

IKEA BOWLS
6x6 OPEN Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

After a week of frustration (due to adding too much water--try thinner and medium instead!), I finally started getting the hang of these new paints. Thanks to all my WC amigos for sharing their experiences, really shortened the learning curve for me!

Here's a little still life I started, hoping to finish it up soon, it's still a bit sloppy, but I had fun painting it!