I’m a hopeless romantic, I can’t help it! I write what I feel…which can be good and not so good. In this case, very good. I have a good man by my side and very fortunate. This is my favorite place in the world! He makes me feel, well, bubbly!
Happy Anniversary, babe!
July is the birthday month of Frida Kahlo. Her actual birthday is July 6, 1907. Artists all over the world pay tribute to Frida by making and selling art, festivals and events. I too will be joining the tribute by making art and jewelry to commemorate her achievements and influence. This year I painted earrings of her famous brow and eyes, as well as crafted original “wearable art” wood earrings. If you would like to visit my Facebook page to see, I will post the link below.
In reading Frida’s story, it is a miracle all she endured. We all have our stories when we are feeling like we just can’t pull through. In those times, we should stop a minute and listen to the stories of others to get momentum. We will learn that someone else always has it harder. At which time, we should be grateful and learn from them. Frida was a talented artist of her time, an activist and wife. Frida was in a very toxic and unhappy marriage with Diego Rivera. He too was a very famous and talented artist and muralist of that time era. He repeatedly cheated on her, and put her through so much mental anguish and despair with his affairs. Frida remained completely and totally “in love” with her “Gordo” (fat man). He was no Clark Gable as you can see below! I wonder if she was just simply obsessed with him, and not in love. I mean, how much abuse can a heart bare?
Frida painted her “reality”. Many of her paintings are traumatic and sad. She painted what she felt is what she said. As women, and as men, we can all relate to some scale of her story, be it Frida or Diego. Feelings of love, obsession, hurt, jealousy, hate, severe pain, and perseverance are all characteristics we all share as humans. And perhaps that is why Frida and Diego have become such icons of the times. They represent the good and bad in us all.
For me, Frida is a symbol of strength, intellect, creativity, loyalty and devotion to her art and husband. Perhaps a prisoner of her own love. They eventually divorced, but Diego returned to care for Frida as her condition worsened.
To learn more of Frida and Diego, I provided the links below.
I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it’s true I’m here, and I’m just as strange as you.”
– Frida Kahlo
Facebook Page: CeCe’s Creations | Facebook, LIKE and FOLLOW
Resources:
Images:
https://www.moma.org/artists/2963
https://www.kqed.org/news/11848986/inside-frida-kahlo-and-diego-riveras-life-in-san-francisco
Today was a day of change! I changed my logo for my small online business. It’s a little more me and personal! I was truly inspired by “A Memory or Two”, and decided to make the leap. I used the app Canva which has lots of amazing templates and you can find something for everything! This was perfect! I have and will somehow integrate my love of writing into my shop! 😉 If you’d like to browse, here is my shop.
What a little inspiration can do…make the leap!
It’s not what you think! Snoopy’s is a place. A place we visit every year we come out to the beach. They added a gift shop! I’m starting my collection today.
Fun in the sun!
In summer, I make it a habit to stay up late binge watch some series on Netflix! (Sarcastic voice)
Yip…then wake up really late the next day. I tell myself I deserve it! (bad habit, btw)
Especially when trying to get back to school hours of getting up at 5am to get ready for class. I did it again! But this time I made it up early enough to make brunch for my family and my brother. We haven’t seen each other for over a year! Man, I cannot believe that! That’s the first thing I thought when I saw him at my door this morning. My little brother! I was so glad to finally see him. We made efforts to ZOOM meet during quarantine but honestly it just made me feel worse…and missed him more! It was sad times. We were making a conscious effort to all be vaccinated before seeing each other. And it was time!
On the menu was omelets, pancakes, fresh fruit, coffee and bacon ‘n egg tacos! I had some Licor, Sabor de café (Coffee licor) that we had bought from our summer vacay trip to Los Cabos, Mexico (later post). It is a Mexican cuisine in some restaurants in my area I found out because not all have café mexicano (Mexican coffee). What it simply is is coffee with tequila or licor. And it is delish! The licor has a sweet taste and does not need much when putting in the coffee. Simply add to your coffee! Café mexicano was on the menu, and my brother loved it. I told myself I would enjoy it over summer while at home. And, I’ve had it only when I have company. Gotta work on that! Salsa recipe below.
We were able to catch up on life, relieved quarantine was over, and discussed and laughed at some of our awkward coping skills during our Texas winter storm! Man, talk about a CRAZY year! But, so glad we were able to connect again. Because we can get through any storm…if we have family. And…tequila!
Love my bro!
Simple Salsa Ranchera
2 large tomatoes
2 med/large jalapenos (remove stem)
1 garlic clove
Salt/pepper
Fresh cilantro
Boil the tomatoes and jalapenos in a pot of water on stove. I use a medium to large pot depending on how big the tomatoes and jalapenos are. When soft (20 minutes approx), put in a blender with the garlic clove and mix. Pour mixture into a bowl and season with salt and pepper. I like to taste the salt in the salsa but use as much or little as your taste requires. Top with about 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro.
The salsa lasts me about 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
I had a wonderful memory today that I wanted to make sure I posted and wrote about. I feel this will be a milestone in the evolution of my small business. I’d love to share with my WordPress peeps!
I know now what my obsession is with the sunflower, flowers…any type. And it is just not because I’m “a girl” and we love flowers, it’s something more. If you visit my Etsy shop, I have quite a few samples of flowers, gardens, things in a garden in my work. I’m just draw to them. Not only did my grandma have a “green thumb” but everything she touched bloomed! She had a beautiful garden in her backyard! I loved to walk through it, or should I really say WANTED to walk through it. We weren’t really allowed back there as little kids. I don’t have many memories of doing that. As I got older, I do. I’m sure I know why. Getting together with cousins would be quite chaotic at grandma’s when we were little….but fun! As an adult, I tried so many times to “grow” the green thumb feature in my genes, but it just never happened.
When I had my own house and married with children, my grandma came to spend a day with me and she helped me cultivate a small flower bed in a corner of my backyard. I had a flower pot garden on my deck that I was proud of, and did pretty good taking care of that. That moment in time I will never forget. We both had the knee cushions. She was on her hands and knees with me mixing the fresh soil with the ground soil, digging up the hole, adding plant food, watering each flowerling to the ground. Grandma was probably in her 60s or 70s at that time. Yes, I remember…she was helping me plant and nurture roses! I remember I had red ones.
But how does a sunflower derive from a rose garden you say?
It was just a memory really. A pleasant one at that but an experience with flowers. The sunflowers however were where I lived growing up. We lived out in the countryside, or “el rancho” (the ranch) my mom would say. My dad had about a half acre outside the city limits of Harlingen, Texas. He built us a home, and we had a farmer as a neighbor, Olivo. He lived about a half block away from us and we’d walk often to visit his farm. But the space between our houses were fields. In front of our home was a cotton field, and to the side and back of us were fields of sunflowers! And they were tall ones! Sunflowers can grow up to 10 feet! Now I’m sure they were not that tall but as a small kid, they were towering over us. That is what I remember! The flower and pedals were huge. My smaller brothers and I would spend hours playing and running through the fields. Dodging in and out between the enormous sunflowers. I have many pleasant memories of my childhood in el rancho.
I made a sunflower pattern earring for my shop which is actually not ready to share, or to be placed in my shop. However, I can give SNEAK PEEKS of the making of it.
This pattern I also used in my poinsettia designs which is already in my shop, Wood earring collection. Sunflower jewelry is actually a customer favorite. Summer is their blooming season. In a place like Texas which is hot and humid, you will see the Sunflower everywhere. It was definitely surrounding us growing up. I will definitely add to this line.
In addition, I have also been reconsidering changing the name of my shop and banner. Something that is more “me” and meaningful. While it is not official yet, but I am considering “Campo de Girasoles” (Field of Sunflowers)! I think that is an all encompassing factor in my inspirations and background. There are actually many things that make up who we are but this is definitely an important one.
I hope you stick around, and you enjoyed the story!
*Reyna
Just because I am on summer break doesn’t necessarily mean I can have a glass of wine any time I want. I try to make time for myself and the hubby to come out and just have some chill time to chit-chat about our day. This was something a little more regular when we were in quarantine, but it is a nice routine.
My husband is still working from home. He will not be going back into the office until about October. So he is home with me and the kids. I ask him every day, “So, happy hour?” Most of the time he will say he is still working. But today, he gave himself a cut off time. My thought, “Yes!”
We need more of these times!
It has been a while since I have been on WordPress. As you can see from my photo, I have been working on new projects! In this journey, I have found that writing still gives me much pleasure and satisfaction. I miss it! As a society we have gone through so much with the pandemic, and things seem to be getting back to somewhat of a normal again.
I have stepped into the artistic world of painting AND jewelry making. It has been an evolving journey indeed. From selling someone else’s jewelry and makeup, to selling my own! So it could very well continue to evolve. Today I made new earrings to add to my Frida Kahlo wood earring collection. I am absolutely inspired by her. And when I think I have it bad, this lady had it much worse! As bad as the cards that were given to her, she continued to be mindful of her surroundings spiritually, politically and certainly artistically! My earrings are a tribute to her.
I consider writing a form of art as well. An art of words! I am venturing into the visual arts now too. This is where it is today. But one thing is for sure, I CERTAINLY miss writing and reflecting on my day. So this will be my summer project…”A Pic of my day”!
How was your day today? Share a photo from your cell!
It stings, pokes and stiff.
Life memories stored in tight.
It’s consuming me.
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