The year of the Family

2011.

A year I knew would be about transition but never imagine it would be about Family. This year in the mist of me fighting for my own survival in this economic depression...I re-discovered what Family is about and learned to embrace them in my deepest darkest moments. In previous years I carried their problems and was too prideful to let them in my personal life..........I have managed to bring my family back together in a non-conventional way but in the end we are still together.........loving, supporting and caring for each other.

Rebuilding the love and trust that I cherished with my father and my brother……….has helped them love, forgive and appreciate each other. We have all changed so much in the years of our separation…….we each have suffered great depressions, we have fought and lost many personal battles against life and love  but we also survived on our own. We return as warriors ready to protect each other at no cost.

You talk about the loss of communication due to cyber worlds……….but I can tell you it has also brought us together. In a non-traditional family story.

For many years I resented the fact that I didn’t have the chance to grow up with my cousins in Mexico but today I feel like I am part of their lives more than ever. I see their everyday, the growth of the family and I share with them my daily secrets. Regardless if it’s my father in the other side of town, my brother down past the Trinity River, My cousins in colonial Puebla  or the Vidrio’s in Jalisco……..I feel connected to them all.

Claudia coming up to Fort Worth this past summer was one of my best experiences this past year. She was great company and we had wonderful time learning about each other. I was glad to show her my day to day life………one that is so different than what could have been if I would have stayed in Mexico.  I’ve always wanted to my cousins to see what my life is like because they only know me Natalia the “visitor” in their own city but never Natalia the person with a life. Jajajaj The only other cousin that knows that side of me is Norma but she came down when we were teenagers and well my life is different since then. Claudia came at a perfect time in my life too………she was like my career angel. She is very wise, smart and knowledgeable in this particular area. I can’t wait for her to come back. I am also looking forward to my cousin Norma to come down from Florida and spend some fun time with her!!!

Natalia's Top List of 2011

Here are a few Top List for 2011.
Some are Top 5....Some are Top 10.........(one is Top 6)
This is about my 2011 Journey. The lists start out silly and some what materialistic but ends with a realisation of what I want for 2012.

Top 5 stores in DFW

1.       Express in North Park (D)

2.       Lucky Brand in Uptown (D)

3.       We are 1976 on Henderson (D)

4.       Milagros on Foch Street (FW)

5.       Nine West University Village (FW)

Top 10 Beauty Product

1.       Neutrogena Make-up remover

2.       Pantene Detangler Anti-Breakage

3.       Pantene  Breakage Defense Anti-Cassures Shampoo and Conditioner

4.       Walgreen Apricot Scrub

5.       Aussi Catch the Wave Mousse+ leave in conditioner

6.       Mary Kay Mineral Powder

7.       Mary Kay Concealer

8.       Bath and Body Japanese Cherry Blossom HandiBac

9.       Express lip Gloss Nude

10.   Bath and Body Bee Kissed Shea Butter Lip Balm

Top 10  Frequently Played Songs

1.       Back it Up- Caro Emerald

2.       Firework- Katy Perry

3.       Beautiful Day- U2

4.       Mr. Saxobeat

5.       El Ultimo Trago-Buika

6.       Business Time- Flight of the Conchords

7.       Amiga Mia-Alejandro Sanz

8.       Partir de Cero-Ana Tijoux

9.       On and on – Erykah Badu

10.   Waca-Waca- Shakira

Top 5 Restaurants in DFW

1.       Taverna- Downtown FW

2.       San Miguel – 7^th street

3.       Sushi Axiom- 7^th street

4.       La Duni- Dallas

5.       Bolsa- Oakcliff

Top 5 Favorite things

1.       Inspiron laptop

2.       Bamboo tablet

3.       Ipod touch

4.       Rogue Nissan

5.       Swatch Watch

Top 5 Accomplishments

1.       Establishing a healthy loving relationship with the men in my life…my brother and my father!

2.       Getting certified by the State of Texas as an Art Educator

3.       Traveling Over-Seas

4.       Using my 3 years of high school Italian vocab!!!

5.       Combining my love for art and managing people in Artes Alley.

Top 5 Most Influential people

1.       Ted- Tall, Elegant and dedicated!  Unconditional to those near and dear to him, a great eye for detail and true beauty.

2.       Anette Soto- Strong, Powerful, Gorgeous, Compassionate, Latina Leader and Fun, Fun Fun!!

3.       Haidy Leal- Young yet Enriching Soul always Present in the Moment, Full of Life, Trusting and Sexy!

4.       Jorge Varela- Optimistic, Determine Personality, Compassionate Soul, Business Sense, and balancing act between Work, Family and Fun.

5.       Mr. Munoz- Over the top Sarcastic Sense of humor, great sense of style & music, and ambitious work & play schedule.

Top 5 Embarrassing Moments in 2011

1.       Amsterdam after the “XXX” show on the street train.

2.       Amsterdam at the Anne Frank Museum.

3.       Amsterdam at every bridge and canal.

4.       My birthday party…….”it’s my party I can leave if I want to”

5.       It was a Tuesday night in December….7^th street area in Fort Worth………in my new car.

Top 5 Best Things I did for myself

1.       Joined LA Fitness

2.       Got a New Car

3.       Created a clean and peaceful studio

4.       Removed unhealthy individuals and situations from my life

5.       Taught myself to knit on a loom……..it’s so peaceful!

Top 5 Lessons learned in 2011

1.       Best Gift in Love is Forgiveness.

2.       Let the doors close in your face...........there’s another way in…just wait and see.

3.       Let yourself fall completely “Rock Bottom”……..then see yourself blossom into the beautiful butterfly you are and use those wings to fly high in life.

4.       Let Karma, the Universe and God to take care of those who have hurt you and watch them come back with their tails between their legs.

5.       People and Things come and go but Family will always be Family.

Top 6 Saddest Moments in 2011

1.       When I found out the job I wanted was given to someone else without the Principle’s say.

2.       When I found out my boyfriend was cheating on me…the befores ,the afters and the in-betweens of this short unhealthy relationship.

3.       When I got on the airplane in Paris.

4.       When the school year started and I still didn’t have a job.

5.       When I found out my Abuelita Paquita passed away.

6.       When I found out Serapio Herrera passed away.

Top 5 Beautiful Moments

1.       When I got my Bachelor Diploma in the Mail as well as my Certification.

2.       Metro in Paris…..running to catch the next train……….listening, watching and hearing musicians playing in the underworld.

3.       Eating a hotdog at the Jardin du Trocadero, Paris.

4.       Eating Nutella and Banana Crepe with a Coca Cola outside the Centre de Pompidou watching a little black boy tap dancing.

5.       When I realized that my past lovers are in my past.

Ultimate lesson learned in December 2011.

I am not ready to be in a relationship because I feel there is so much I need to accomplish on my own and there are some hurdles I need to tackle on my own without involving anyone into my fight for what I truly want for myself. I am going to be selfless for once and accept this journey alone.

Once I feel I have reached my ultimate goal then I will search for the ideal partner. Meanwhile………

I WANT TO HAVE FUN………..I WANT TO REACH FOR OPPORTUNITIES NEAR AND FAR……….I WANT TO PLAY……………I WANT TO DANCE………………I WANT TO ENJOY MYSELF……………….I WANT TO SCREAM AND LAUGH AND JOKE AND FIGHT  FOR MY LIFE…………

FOR MY OWN SURVIVAL

Stephanie Longoria- Longoria Designs

   I meet Stephanie Longoria back in September at the Dies y Sies de Septiembre event by ADLR. At that time I was just volunteering to help Mark Alcala with calling out the Loteria Cards at the kids activity center. That night I ended up behind master of ceremony with Jorge Varela the Executive Director  of ADLR.
   I arrived early that day thinking the event was starting early and even told Jamie Tovar to arrive early to set up his spray paint gun table and help out with anything Mark might need. Originally the event was going to take place in the Mercado Plaza but the rain got (mainly Stephanie) real good. We all rushed to help her set up inside the Galeria and the event turned out great! I was really impressed with the Longoria design work and with the set up. Come to find out Stephanie studied Media at UTA and this is actually what she does for a living. Her husband Aaron is also very talented! Aaron has created our new Artes Alley Free Standing Signs. Together they show their talents and work great together.

   Stephanie has been very active in the behind the scene of Artes Alley since she joined in October. Helping me establish a professional contract, terms and conditions agreement and overall sending me artists, bands and ideas for future art shows. Stephanie is very active in the DFW  Arts & Craft Shows and she brings all experience in the world to Artes Alley by staying positive, encouraging and being active in our meetings, on Facebook and at the events.

  This morning Stephanie Longoria announced her new and exciting project working with a large company called Sourpuss Clothing in which she will be making ornaments that she sews herself. Great job Stephanie for all your hard work and determination! We are so blessed to have you as a strong and supporting member of Artes Alley!!

Stephanie is owner of XY Factory http://www.xyfactory.com/
Stephanie helps her mom with her etsy account www.NewAgain.etsy.com
Stephanie has her own etsy account www.LongoriaGirls.etsy.com

Javier Trillo-Yaotl

   This blog is not a Fashion Blog nor a Brand Blog. This Blog is about the Man behind the Brand Yaotl and how his professionalism and determination has opened so many doors to not just him but to an artists community within the DFW.

Javier came into Artes Alley group through the invitation of Bobby Cerda back in mid October. At the very first Artes Alley meeting at the Rose Marine Theater Javier was the first one to turn in his Signed Contract and Twenty Four Dollars and four Quarters to get his November's booth.

At that moment it hit me this is really going to happen, he just gave me his money, his trust and he believes in Artes Alley. The event has never been done before, I've never organized it before, he doesn't really know me. I watched myself take his money and think what do I do with it now?
 jajajajajaj
It was like watching someone give me a baby that needed a diaper change and I was in shock......trying to play it off like no big deal. Then a few others followed his lead and signed their contracts and paid then & there. A week or so had passed and we needed flyers and the original design I received was not approved by the ADLR staff it just so happened that Javier called me to ask about specific vendors spot. I shared with him my need for a flyer, he jump at the opportunity and delivered by Monday morning.
In mid November's meeting Javier was the first artists to turn in the  inventory spreedsheet for his work to be sold in the December show. I was concerned that the artists would have problems putting things in writing but once I saw that Javier had no issue and went right at it I knew I was not asking for too much. In every decision that we have made for Artes Alley Javier has been very supportive and active. He has been a pleasure to work with and because of his determination on being part of Artes Alley it has given him a Great Stand with the group and ADLR.  Professional Supporting the Arts also featured him along with Gypsies with Keys and Carlos Davila in their November Mixer. Javier had the opportunity to talk about his brand and make a few sales to PSA members. In the future Javier will be making all of our Artes Alley Flyers and a few designs for advertising purposes.

His brand has come a long way and is being featured in a Fashion Magazine.
http://fkn-famous.com/2011/11/fashion-yaotl/


We are proud of having Javier Trillo as part of Artes Alley Group and as a reliable Friend!

Art is in the Air.............

   Artes Alley's December Show is just about 24 hours away and at yesterday's meeting at M lounge we discussed Saturday's weather. I was really nervous all day about the meeting due to the fact that we had been discussing in our private Artes Alley Facebook Group the high possibility of rain for Saturday. I know the artists have been working hard on preparing for the December Show but the last thing I wanted was for their beautiful art work to be ruined by rain and even more so than that their energy to be crushed by mother nature. The last minute change of venue for the meeting didn't help my nerves nor theirs but they were understanding (those who attended) and just went with the flow of things. As the hour approached and the the emails, text and calls about not being able to attend the Mandatory Meeting poured within the few hours remaining for the now new location meeting.

   In my quiet exit from the original location towards the familiar and pleasant feel of Foch and Cockrell Street..........I discovered a new to me but established independent store called Milagros. At that point it was an hour and a half before the meeting  and I needed to get distracted from the caos and the quiet and loving energy from this store was just what I needed. I made a new friend...........the owner Margeret has a such a wonderful loving energy to her that it reaches beyond the store's walls. It was my very first time in the store and I was so surprised that I had never walked in before......giving that I go to the Aisle Art Supplies a few times a year, M lounge a few times a month, Mi Familia Restaurant every few years, Bikram Yoga when it was open but not into Milagros. I even know the Colombian Lady that sells her amazing shoes and bags at Milagros but never once had I stepped foot inside this magical store.

  Margeret and I shared many stories about buying, promoting local artists, Museum Shops, Markets, Fair Trade, Artists Mentality and so much more in such a short period of time. As she attended her customer I walked around and found many beautiful, unique and interesting items. I picked up a small metal wishbone for my husband ;) and a pack of Forte teabag plates and made my way back towards Margeret. In the time we spent talking, I asked her for advice and I was able to find balance again and was ready to face the music.

  Right at 6pm Javier Trillo walks through the door and that's when I know everything is going to workout just fine.  Shortly after a few of the new artists came through the doors Chelsi Harris, Oscar Vasquez Torres, Jesse Cardoza, Erika Duque and Jaime Tovar. Gabriela Lomonaco and her daughter Frida, Stephanie Longoria brought our new very cool Artes Alley Sign and our Amazing MC Ricardo Rojas & Volunteer Stacey Garner joined us too.

  It turned out to be a small but good meeting. Hearing the artists concerns about the weather, turnout and their art work made me realize we are all on the same page. Regardless if Artes Alley happens in December or not we have a pretty strong core of artists that are positive, supportive and active. We all pretty much want the best for Artes Alley, and each other.

Later that evening I was interview by Cynthia Barraza on her podcast show Whats Up CindyB http://whatsupcindyb.podomatic.com/
Cynthia and Sean have been extremely supportive of Artes Alley from the beginning and they are planning on attending this Saturday December 3rd for another round of interviews.

This morning checking on Facebook..........I came across two great post from Stephanie Longoria and Javier Trillo which have inspired me to write this and other blogs today.

Grandma's hands

My Abuelita Lute has been present in my mind lately. This morning I woke up early to get my cloths and things ready for my piyamada with my brother today, For Univision tomorrow Morning and my sub job tomorrow. I was torn between going to the gym or to the mall before the staff meeting today I chose the mall. I figured I could go to the gym after the meeting before heading out to Dallas.
This is where I am actually writing from this morning. So anyway I get to the Mall at 9:30 but as it turns out the stores ate closed. I make my way to the food court and Chick-fil-a is open!
I order a small coffee and sit down to prepare my coffee.

As I watched my hands remove the lid from the coffee cup I observed my freshly painted nails gently but firmly pull the lid off I had a mental image of my abuelita Lute seating just like me doing the same gestures.
It is as she was here with me preparing my own coffee.
I miss her dearly hopefully I can travel to Puebla soon.

Intention

Yesterday I had many beautiful conversations with a really interesting gentleman. One conversation in particular was concerning the word "intention" and more specifically "alignment" with the mind, body and soul/spirit. In the few hours we spent together I learn so much from just one person.

While I have many theories about many different subjects........he seemed to have his thought process together and clear. I can honestly say that I am impressed. This whole "intention" conversation lingered in my head today.

My argument was that I don't like the word intention because it become the excuse to individuals who make promises and don't keep them but use the word to justify their lack of worth. I intended to attend, call, visit, text, write,or whatever the verbal agreement was made. So in that instance the word no longer holds value or worth.

He then explained to me that for whatever reason those individuals are not aligned to the mind, body and spirit. I am not giving him justice here with my words or by even trying to but it in writing but I have to write about it and share it with you all.

In that moment I remembered that I all ready knew that but somewhere in the mist of disappointment I had forgotten that those individuals are not balanced or aligned and that I should be the one with compassion for them.  But I have learned to create boundaries with individuals that have "intent" but have not figured out how to align their life in order to remain balanced myself.

He then mentioned to me a psychology term that I kept trying to remember this morning and even now I am having difficulties remembering. In essence it is the term for the individual who is helping another person face intense moments and the act of knowing that the "helper" is not responsible for the end outcome but only for their participation in the situation which is to help. In other words it creates a healthy boundary for the helper to maintain self sanity and not to take anything personally.

This evening I had every intention of going to the gym. I pictured myself working out as I was driving home. I purchased three new songs on my ipod for my gym playlist. I changed into my favorite workout cloths and brushed my teeth to feel fresh. But I could not find my purple lock to lock up my purse and sweater. I looked for 3o minutes between my car, the studio and my bedroom. Nothing. In the mean time I started replying to text messages, emails and phone calls. By the time I was done with all that I decided to join my mom and her comadre in praying the Rosary. Well really they saw me looking and looking and they reminded me that everything happens for a reason and maybe I was not suppose to go to the gym today. Then I had a flashback to that conversation and in my own mouth I said I don't like the word "intention" and I hear "your not aligned then" so that's when I knew I was suppose to stay in to pray the rosary and lay my yoga matt out to practice my breathing.

My mantra is about "inner peace" and tonight's yoga will be meditating for just that.

I still don't remember the term he was advising me and the purple lock was in my car the whole time.
That doesn't change the fact that I was not aligned but I am aware and ready to find my balance.

abandon studio

I walked into my studio.........it seemed like a ghost town.......once a place that I spent many hours and days.........had been abandon for far too long............projects unfinished............supplies out ready to be assigned a new home..........empty boxes ...........filled with air.........glue inches away from it's soul mate-paper.........Scissors opened. my heart in the middle of the organized chaos.

I know what its like to create and what its like to do something just for yourself.........but now being on the other side of the art world.........i also understand the difference between art and craft..........I know what its like to create for the sake of creating............for the love of finding homes for things..........but I also know about integrity of art.

the respect for the finer things in life........the appreciation for time, knowledge and experience...........

as an artists you will find everything you do is art because of your mentality and how you view the creation process is completely different than the average person............creating a thanksgiving dinner, creating a seductive moment, changing the oil to the car all of a sudden becomes similar to the process of dreaming up an idea, gathering materials, applying the elements and principles of design, critiquing,  framing or signing your art work and finally exposing the art work to family, friends and strangers.

You will find the word art in many books to simple grab the attention of the consumer that there is a technique behind the process of cooking, mechanics or playing an instrument.
*the art of seduction
*the art of changing the transmission in your car
*the art of playing the recorder
*the art of meditating
*the art of organizing
*the art of cooking roast beef

The list goes on and on............

This past week Mom and I went to Target and saw this really fancy table decor Christmas Trees with glittery gold and red balls. I told her I could do that, let's go to Michael's. So we did! We bought three Styrofoam trees (different sizes), four bags of red and gold glittery  balls, 1 large bag of glue sticks, two bags of mini Christmas flowers and a large platter to place the trees. Total cost not including my time $50. It would have been cheaper to have just bought the decor at Target. Crafts are fun, mindless and not original design but an outlit for the person who needs to be making things with their own hands. This is something I did for my own house but would never think to sell because it is not my original design, it's to expensive for me to make and I don't have time to make more than 3 trees.

I worked at the Modern Shop from 2007-2010 and I would hear time and time again...."I could do that! $50 for that?! It's easy to make for cheaper!" No it's never cheaper or easier to make and you dont have time to make whatever it is your don't want to buy because according to you it is easier and cheaper to make. What I love about the Modern Shop is how the buyers find unique items that relate to the permanent collection while supporting great organizations from Women groups around the World, To indeginous groups in Central and South America, to student Studios in the States. Plus it's a non-profit organization and the ones who benefit from the cost are the Students that enter for free when they attend with their schools. Not like when they go to the Zoo which they are charged at least $5 while attending a school trip.
 Integrity of Art, the organization and the individual that make things happen is why I live for in the art world.

Artes Alley Saturday November 5th

For the past month or so I have been working on this upcoming Art Event called Artes Alley. Jorge Varela from Artes de la Rosa at the Rose Marine Theater approach me about the possibilites of creating a once a month outdoor art event. I took the chance and ran with it and here we are today.

As soon as word got out that artist had a venue to sell art the calls and emails started coming left and right.
 The selected artist for the November show are: Lizeth Garcia and Partrik Lerma with Gypsies with Keys, Rebeca Redfox, Cuautemoc Gonzalez, Joseph Anzaldua, Sandra Martinez, Amber Bailey, Carlos Guerrero Davila, Juan Jose Olivares, Jesse Hernandez, Gabriela Lomonaco with Nosotros Design, Patricia Urbina and Maria Cabesa, Stephanie and Aaron Longoria with Longoria Design, Mary Boswell with the Carter Riverside Art Students, Javier Trillo with YAOTL, Bobby Cerda with Studious, Sleepy Dan, Alma Ramirez, Efrain Gutierrez, Kathleen Cameron, Garrett Griffin and Francisco Rosales, and Mario Hedary.
The Music entertainment for the night will be: El lobo and his drums, Carmeci, Leo Saenz & The Front Porch Conjunto.

Coverage will be from: Univision, What's Up Cindy B podcast and Luis Sanches & Haidy Leal.

twenty-eight

So I just turned twenty-nine. While I'm okay with my age...........I don't like to say it out loud..............or someone else saying it out loud. jajaj I am okay with my experiences that are defined by my age but i just don't like the sound of twenty-nine. Thirty sounds better...............but I don't want to add a year of experience.............

I seem to playfully lie about turning "twenty-one......again" ...........but i always giggle at the fact that i have many more years of experience................if you know what i mean.........

on a more serious note I have  accomplished a lot my Twenty-Eigth year!!!
*Student taught
*Graduated from UTA
*Got certified to teach Art in Texas
*Participated in the Vagina Monologues
*Dressed up as a Las Vegas Showgirl for The American Red Cross fundraiser
*Volunteered for Claudia on her awesome project Latino Film Festival
*Traveled to Europe (London, Amsterdam, St.Goar, Munich, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Venice, and Paris)
*Meet Jaime Foxx in Paris!!!
*Attended July's Lunada...........howled at the Moon and went MOOn Bathing.
*Spend two beautiful weeks with my cousin Claudia here in Fort Worth.
*Participated in the Fall Gallery Show at Studio 5
*Mc'ed Dies y Seis de Septiembre at the Rose with Jorge
*Bought a new Car
*Started an art group

Those are the main highlights of that year...........now I am ready to face new adventures especially in my development as a individual and my career.

Dia de los Muertos

It's that time again...........time to submit work for Dia de los Muertos at the Rose. Yet I don't have a new art work to submit...........but I am looking forward to helping install the "Altar de Muertos" in the main gallery. Last year I had such a wonderful experience working with a great group that I am focusing more on that this year. Lately I have been leaning towards installation work and temporary installations for that matter. Something about not knowing if its how it's (the installation) going to work out but knowing it will work..........and then it won't matter because it's coming down anyway. It's kinda like a rush..........putting it together.........and then letting go...........and accepting the fact that it just here for a brief moment. Love it! Love the process! I would have loved to work on a portrait of my grandmother Paquita that just passed away Thursday September 15th in Nuevo Laredo but there is always next year.
On the other hand.........I am looking forward to seeing everyone's paintings and work! I know Lizeth has been working hard on a combination of Paintings, Paper Mache and she will also have an Altar de Muertos. Lizeth has been working for months on this work so make sure you come out and support her. Also, Jaime has been working on some paintings, he gave us a sneak peek today. Also, I think I remember Joseph having a piece he wanted to submit this year.

I am so excited to see what we all do together as a group. Our next big topic is "immigration" but that is still to come.

Next on the Art Agenda?

Next Saturday September 24th Lizeth Garcia, Erika Duque and I (to name a few) will have a few of our art pieces for Auction for the Hispanic Women's Network of Texas 7th Annual Art Show. I am so excited to be able to help such a wonderful organization. If you can come out and support this incredible group of women you will be doing much more than that, you will be economically supporting the young girls that apply for scholarships for the next school year.

For the complete information please follow this link.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cindy-B/267203446630311?sk=wall#!/event.php?eid=178830935524179

Art Week 2011

It's Sunday night.............and seems like this past week was just a blur of art meetings, art events and social events. It all started at last Saturday's Gallery Night in Fort Worth. While I had planned on going to several galleries I only made it to Artes de la Rosa to see Shannon Atkinson's photography show and then of course Studio 5 ,Jesse Hernandez Studio. I had a small wall with a series of self-portraits that included MRI Scans of my Brain, Dancing Gypsy Shadow Boxes and Digital Images of the Dancing Gypsy. I also added another element...........black shelf with memorabilia of some gifts given to me by close friends. I consider it a self-portrait installation.

Wednesday I meet up with a UTA friend/ artist Joseph Espinosa at a local Starbucks to talk about his artist packet and he brought his most recent work. I also invited him to participate next meetings art group. It was really nice to see a old friend and catch up. I can truly see how much his art has evolved into this beautiful series of Mixed Media portraying World's Current Events, Political yet Humanistic.

Thursday I went to the Art District in Fort Worth for the Educators Night Event. First stop was the Amon Carter because everyone knows they have the "Best Free Books/Posters and Note cards"  for the art classrooms. Plus they have great catered food and drinks for the teachers just getting out of work. Everyone there is so friendly and provide the teachers with everything they need to teach American Art within the Classroom. I am always so impressed with their staff and educational programing. The next stop was the Science and History Museum which can I just say it was "Amazing" and I can't wait to go back. They also provided us teachers with free admission to the museum and to the Omni for two. It was the first time I went to the Science and History Museum but I can just tell you the energy in this space is amazing. I wish I was a kid all over again currently to go and play with all the "hands on" activities. Finally I went to the Kimbell and received the Picasso and Braque catalogue for free!!!!
It's like I went shopping for FREE! I love Fort Worth's Art District and everything they do.

Friday I volunteered at Artes de la Rosa for the Dies y Seis de Septiembre event. This was a wonderful event that was not interrupted by the rain. The Rose had face painters from Lizeth Garcia and Patrick Lerma (plus family) and Jaime Tovar. They screened a film called "Cuando Te Vere" and had a Q&A with the director Liz Colunga, followed by amazing performances by Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo and Mariachi de Oro. By the way I helped Jorge Varela MC the event, which I had a blast doing. It was totally last minute but I think we pulled it off. Most not forget we had a special performance by a young boy(Diego Navaro) singing rancheras from our after school program.

Saturday I made a quick stop at a store opening in Arlington called "Gypsy Riddles" which Lizeth and I have a few of our art pieces for SALE!!! Then made my way to Dallas for Cafe Madrid night! At some point we meet up with John Clark (tattoo artist) at a Tattoo Convention to watch him work on his amazing art, the canvas being a beautiful woman's thigh. Final piece was amazing because John is just an Amazing Tattoo Artist.

Special thanks to My MOM, Sam Castillo, Lauren and Robert Gomez, Veronica Dominguez Lopez, Patrick Hernandez, Lizeth Garcia and Patrick Lerma, Jaime Tovar, Mark Alcala, Stephanie Richardson, Joseph Espinosa, and Juan Manuel Acosta. A Super HUGE Thanks to Ted Ayala for the unconditional support and the amazing dinner dates day after day.

Local Artist and Art Groups

Last night's art group meeting was pretty sweet. This is the second meeting I have with local artist that are intersted in getting involved with the Fort Worth Art Scene. In this meeting we had two special guest Anette Soto and Mark Alcala. The artist were Erika Duque, Ted Ayala, Lizeth Garcia, Patrick Lerma, and myself.

It was pretty sweet how when I asked everyone to introduce themselves they were all so humble about who they are and why they were there. I let them think that intro was enough and right when the last person went I called them out and said "now I'm going to introduce you guys!"


I dont remember the exact words that I used to describe this amazing people but I can assure you they are all very talented and I can't wait to keep meeting up with them and working on projects together.

We had a great open conversation about art, goals, future projects and mainly supporting each other. We discussed the upcoming events like Fall Gallery Night (this coming Saturday) and 16 de Septiembre at ADLR.

I'm trying to get back in the rythm of writing........so please excuse this very basic blog about a really important event in my week.

Back to Third Grade

I may be 28 years old but all my life I have been in 3rd grade. Well since I was 7 years old and I first step foot at Sam Rosen Elementary in that old yet brilliant room my dad calls his classroom. While on my journey back into the "art world" I stumbled yet again to that familiar room. The students names are different and the school is n not in North Side anymore but the excitement of students loving to learn is just the same. As I walked down the hall from the office visitors check in I could hear his voice naming the different parts of math. As he feels my presence walk into the room he greats  me with a huge "HOlA Preciosa!" and turns to his attentive students all in white and blue uniforms that seem to fit all of them big and introduces me. "This is my daughter Natalia Margarita and she is an Art Teacher", the words so proudly roll out of his tongue and I stand firmly on the ground and say "hello" to the class. I inform them I will be taking pictures of them but I need them to continue as if I am not there. As if I have to tell them, they care little that I am in the room they are truly into every word Mr.Dominguez has to say and actively participating in the math lesson. Within minutes they learn to say numbers in the hundreds, thousands, millions and just like that I snap away. My attention seems to bring me back to my day's mission "take pictures of education" and I look around to the classroom. Every corner is filled with books, math models, and my father has learn to about vertical space so now there are clear storage boxes building high scrappers of more math and science manipulative's. The walls are covered with posters and alphabet posters made by previous students. He has computers, laptops, guitars and keyboards everywhere. His organize caos doesn't seem to distract the students in fact they don't even seem to notice that they are in the middle. In their eyes all they see is my dad and his smart board and all they hear is math and his jokes.
But he has changed. He looks smaller than I remember and he is going bald and he seems to dress better. He seems softer with them not as harsh with the jokes as he use to be. Don't get me wrong he still calls them out when they don't answer correctly but he is softer and he celebrates them for every right answer.
Everyone loves my dad from the Principle, the Custodian, to the Math Coach every says nothing but how much they appreciate him, how they constantly learn new things from him, his control of the class, his ddiscipline and it just goes on and on.
Today he told me he understood that I do not want to be a bilingual teacher and he knows he can not convince me to change because he realizes how passionate I am of teaching art to our Latino Students and overall to all the students. I gave him a big bear hug.............I didn't cry cause quiet frankly I'm tired of crying.

I always return to his classroom, it's such a familiar place. The energy of the kids excited, his eagerness to help them mature and grow and the clutters of books, instruments and manipulative............all too much familiar sounds and smells.

One day I dream of him visiting me in my own classroom ..............with the same student's excitement, my eagerness to see them mature as artist and the clutters of papers, graphite pencils, charcoal, clay and paints.

Lesson Learned

Today in my studio I learned to create a watermark using CS5. I am getting ready to upload several of my photography albums to flikr but before I can do that I need to change the image size and add the watermark to each image.  The best part of my lesson today was to learn to use the action record device within the new CS5, pretty cool stuff. Basically you record every action of creating a watermark then you stop the record and open a new image then click play on the action device and it paste the action in this case "watermark" onto you open image. Amazing! Timesaving! Best tool ever!!

Looking forward

I'm really excited to be blogging again. I use to blog almost daily back when MySpace was home page. Today I return to blogging for many reasons but mainly for my own sanity. You see, it's been eight months since I have graduated from UTA and my mind needs some stimulations. I have many projects that I am currently working on and it's starting to get hard to keep up so blogging well help me keep ideas and dreams alive but most importantly it will allow me to share these projects with you. Please feel free to comment or just stop by and visit.