Carolyn Flores "The 'Who We Are' Project"

This interview is with my friend, the incredibly talented, Caroline Flores of Las Lunas, NM.  I met her several years ago, when we post had tables set up at an art event in Albuquerque, NM.  I fell in love with her brand of Hispanic and Chicano art, and found her just as sweet and charming.  I have had the pleasure of running into her at several other art events around the Albuquerque area, and hope to have a talbe near hers again soon.  

Mi gente, i give you, Caroline Flores:

What feeds your soul? 

First and foremost God feeds my soul, My family is my life, and I love all types of music and art.

Where are your roots? In other words, when you call yourself Latina/o, where does your family history begin? 

My fathers mother was from Mexico, but my true family is Native New Mexican, our people have been in New Mexico since the border crossed us, so of course we are a true mestizo mix of Spanish and Native American.

When I comes to being latina/o what do you love most about your culture? 

This is a difficult question because I love everything about being Chicana. To put it simply, I love my family's ways and traditions, our bond, beauty, language and work ethic.

When you were growing up, what did your family do to celebrate your culture? 

Every day was a celebration of culture, though maybe I didn't realize it at the time. The food, the language/slang that was used, and our faith. We had a lot of Matanzas and family get togethers where stories were swapped and gossip was aired. Our family could be apart for ages and come back together like no time had passed at all.

Has there been any one latina/o celebrity or role model you have looked up to? 

I found my role models close to home, my grandparents were amazing, and taught me about hard work and family. My mother was very creative, and could always make the best of any situation her motto was "necessity is the mother of invention" and today that still rings true to me. My family has always been my inspiration and the reason I am the person that I am today.

What is your favorite cultural holiday? 

Dia de Los Muertos is my favorite cultural holiday,

although I did not grow up celebrating it. It's not really a New Mexican holiday, but it is a central theme of my art. Doing day of the dead art came with an amazing education, and in my opinion the most beautiful way to remember loved ones. Telling their stories and remembering them with an alter is such a beautiful tradition, I love it!

Is there spanish spoken in your home? 

Growing up, Spanish was always spoken in the background and in adult conversations. As I grew, I lost much of it, but we still keep the Spanglish tradition strong. I hope my children will learn more as they become adults.

FOOD! What is your favorite cultural dish? 

My favorite cultural dish is defiantly tamales. Traditional ones with pork and red chile. I even had a job making them as a teenager. I don't always make them every year, but making them is a tradition that I hope to pass down to my kids as it is a true art form.

What would you say to younger latinas/os about your culture and your heritage and being proud of they are? 

I encourage young Chicanos and Chicanas to embrace their culture, it's very trendy right now to be Latino, but it's so much more than that to me. It's a beautiful culture. Being a New Mexican is so special and unique I urge my kids to be proud of their history, family and traditions. It seems that with every generation we get a little more watered down, I'm guilty of it myself, but I hope that through my art and the art of other amazing Chicano artists, we can continue to show our culture as sexy, strong, and prideful.

Tell me about your art?  Where do you find most of your inspiration? 

My inspiration comes from my jente for sure! Their strength and emotion is what inspires me. Our unique style, expresses a charisma that I always attempt to capture on canvas.

How long have you been a artist??  

I have been an artist my whole life i think. I have doodled on everything from Walls to school books (oops), but I starting selling my art about 9 years ago. Through art shows and galleries, I have been blessed to meet the most amazing people. I appreciate my fellow artists so much and am always so inspired by their creativity. My customers have been such a blessing and have shown me support through my hardest trials! Mil Gracias to them! Without art, I wouldn't have had so many travels and amazing experiences, and for that I am truly grateful, gracias a Dios!

Carolyn is a New Mexico native, wife, mother and artist. She creates beautiful images inspired by her culture and her people. She has illustrated a children's book and her art has been featured on the posters for Hispanic Market, as well as other large art events. If you are interested in her art, you can see it here:
www.FaceBook.com/CarolynFloresArts

Gracias por leer!

Remember:

Se Amable

Se Honesto

Se Valiente

~Siempre~

Monique Mochacha Sanderson Mata~The "Who We Are" Project

The following interview is with my friend Monique. I met her on Facebook, through mutual friends, when i saw a posting for her AZ/NM Connection art sale. I had just moved back to NM from AZ and thought i'd fit in perfectly. After a while, i chatted, via messenger with Monique and we realized how much we had in common, both as artistas and as NM girls.

Amigos y Amiga, i give you, Monique Mochacha Sanderson Mata:

What feeds your soul? People! Being around folks learning their story is so intriguing! Especially the elders they have so much knowledge!

Where are your roots? In other words, when you call yourself Latina/o, where does your family history begin? New Mexico is where my roots lay. My mom is Navajo (Diné), Hopi, Pima and Tohono O'odham and my father is a Chicano from Tucumcari, NM

When it comes to being latina/o what do you love most about your culture?

Our perseverance! In the face of adversity we find a way to overcome! It’s quite interesting because the way we do this usually involves art in some form! We are a creative minded people be it with food, visual arts, tapestry or music! We will utilize our skills to make things happen. We are a hardworking proud people!

When you were growing up, what did your family do to celebrate your culture? Familia is Cultura to me! Being with family carrying on tradition and making memories while recalling the past! I grew up in rural NM and our community was full of family as well as close friends! The church was central to the community so we'd attend the fiestas; my favorite was watching the crowning of the queen! We'd also dance the night away at the street dances while NM Spanish music rang through the streets! We'd have huge feasts for a baptismal, communion, and confirmations. We'd be proud to be asked to participate in quincineras or weddings! We'd have Green Chile roasting parties in the summer then picked piñon when the season came up in the fall. A lot of our time in the winter was spent in the kitchen making tamales posole & biscochitos as a family, passing on traditional recipes or stories!

Has there been any one latina/o celebrity or role model you have looked up to? I have not only one but many!!! Although two women stand out; one is a family member and the other is my mentor. My paternal grandmother Celina Elebario definitely had a huge influence on me! To me she embodies the classy successful Latina woman! She was a career woman whom worked for the NM State Dept of Labor. Her position there enabled her to help the disadvantaged and stand up for their rights. She was also a single mother whom needed to put food on the table so at night she was a pool shark! My Gramma is also an artist, a crafter, she would make so many different types of functional art and set up booths wherever she could to vend her items! She is my own personal role model. The other is Kathy Cano-Murillo aka The Crafty Chica whom I'm honored to have as a friend and mentor! She has done it all! I look up to her! Her success inspires me and I respect her wholeheartedly! She represents our community so well and if I could only have a smidge of the success she has achieved I'd be ever so happy! She is the first Chicana to have her own product line in Michaels Craft Stores!!! She is an accomplished author of not only DIY books but Novels too! People pay her to speak and share her wealth of positivity & creativity to the masses! I am so honored that I can go to her for absolutely anything be it artsy or life situations! She always knows just what to say and which direction to point me to!

What is your favorite cultural holiday? Dia de Los Muertos! We get the opportunity to celebrate as a community those whom have passed that we hold dear to our hearts!

Is there spanish spoken in your home? Unfortunately, no. My mother is Native American and didn't share my father's language. English was the primary language. In all fairness I also wasn't taught to speak Navajo either. Spanish is understood but not spoken.

FOOD! What is your favorite cultural dish? Homemade Green Chile Stuffed Sopapillas!!!

What would you say to younger latinas/os aboutculture and your heri your tage and being proud of they are?

We are an old culture we've been here for a long time our traditions have endured! Take time to speak to the older generations to gain knowledge and keep our cultura alive! Learn your language, never be ashamed and always fight for your people! Never bow down but stay humble...

Tell me about your art? Where do you find most of your inspiration?

I’m a crafter and a painter.

I get inspired by others' inspiration! I'm at home amongst creative people! People such as authors, musicians, dancers, singers, poets, visual artists, crafters, activists, chefs, lowriders and the list goes on; spark my imaginiation! When my senses are triggered it makes my wheels turn!

How long have you been an artist?? I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember primarily as a hobby for birthday presents, or knick-knacks for special occasions. I got serious about it in 2006 when my best friend, Annalisa Rios, and I started our crafting company called Con/Safos! At first, I just stuck to crafting but have moved on to painting on canvas. I'm still learning and with each piece I paint I see improvement!

Monique lives in Phoenix, AZ where she ran the Creation 

Station Gallery for two years. Originally from NM, she 

created the AZ/NM Connection Group Show to promote 

collaborations between artists of all genres from both states.

Monique currently advocates, encourages, mentors, and

promotes art/artists; she also creates it too! She is part of 

the

esteemed group The Phoenix Fridas Latina Art Collectiveand 
participates/works with groups such as Latina Strong

Here are some links to Monique's work:

https://m.facebook.com/phoenixfridas/

https://m.facebook.com/CreationStationLaMelgosa/

Gracias por leer!

Remember:

Se Amable

Se Honesto

Se Valiente

~Siempre~

Michelle Denise Padilla Baquera The "Who We Are" Project

Bienvenidos mi gente!!!

The following is an interview with my friend Michelle.  We met several years ago at an art event we were both taking part in.  I know right away that we were kindred spirits and would, at least via the magic of social media, be forever friends.  When i look at her art, i know that we see the world through very similar eyes, and i do hope to do one of her Borderland Frida events in the near future~
I give you, Michelle, aka Deady Page:

What feeds your soul? 

Learning more, reading more listening more and looking for more that I never knew about. My soul is constantly hungry, it has to be feed in an abundance and with a side of good music.

Where are your roots?  In other words, when you call yourself Latina/o, where does your family history begin?

My varietal is more like it. I am a delicious blend of Mexican, Spanish, Indian, Middle Eastern and who knows what else. All I've ever known is this..I am an American female with olive skin, brown eyes who feels like a part of many cultures. BUT, my heart and soul feel a rooted connection to Mexico.

In other words, when you call yourself Latina/o, where does your family history begin? Great question. And I wish I could answer that. The only information I know is where my great grandmother on my mother's side is from...Villumada Chihuahua Mexico. My other grandparents were from Silver City NM and who knows where. MY family history is this...I am a convert to Judaism who has a deep love for my family. I do not deny my culture nor am I ashamed of it..I praise it, teach it, and want to pass it on.

When I comes to being Latina/o what do you love most about your culture? I love that my culture embraces family/friend togetherness. Family, food, friends, music and a beautiful an d colorful background. My culture loves everything BIG. That's the way I live my life. BIG

When you were growing up, what did your family do to celebrate your culture? Growing up there were no trips to Mexico, no posadas, no mananitas, or saints in the house. But, I had this..... Knowledge of those things. Since I grew up in El Paso CHUCO, my parents would take us to Juarez every weekend or other. We ate there bought groceries, and saw things that we had never seen tasted or heard before. And all of this was just a walk over a bridge. The only celebrations I remember were my piñatas, and quince. That was pretty Mexican for us. I always chose the traditional Estella. 

Has there been any one latina/o celebrity or role model you have looked up to? I have been a huge fan of Lila Downs for many years. When I met her after a concert in El Paso, i was not disappointed. Not only do I admire this woman for her music which mostly relates to social justice for migrate workers who come from Mexico to the United States but, she is honestly a very down to earth and considerate person. Her music has influenced many of my creations. 

What is your favorite cultural holiday? OBVIO...Dia De Los Muertos!! I love it, breath it, and love the idea that life and death is a beautiful cycle. One that we should not be afraid of. This holiday was the crossroads in my life. I can honestly say it has been the one love(except for my children) that has never disappointed me, that has kept me interested, has kept me passionate, and who I cannot wait to grow old with.

Is there Spanish spoken in your home? 

No. I do speak it but not in my home or on a daily. I do cuss in Spanish, and in English on a daily.

FOOD! What is your favorite cultural dish? Red Enchiladas. And Rajas con Queso. And recently a huge fan of my friend Omar's Albondigas soup.

What would you say to younger latinas/os about your culture and your heritage and being proud of they are? Take a big look at all the things that truly make you happy. Why do they make you happy?: The answer if you go to the root of it...comes from a part of your culture, your heritage. Be proud. Carry on the love and the traditions Our ancestors lived amazing lives. Continue in their paths and keep them alive.

Tell me about your art~ Simple. Different. Mine. And made to ask questions. Made to Inspire.

Where do you find most of your inspiration? From a variety of things. Life, death, broken, forgotten and strange objects. Frida is a BIG influence.

How long have you been a artist??  

All my life. We are all born as artists. It is not fair to say we are not. We all come to this earth with some type of gift. Some draw, some paint, some write, some sing, some craft, some act, some play an instrument, some teach, some ask questions, some answer them. Look around we are all artist. We just only appreciate the things we visually can see sometimes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Michelle has always been very fashion forward, and has had a love affair with vintage hats since she was a baby. Being the type of person who wears all types of hats on a daily basis is what she does. Michelle is attracted to the big, the glamorous and the eccentric. She is inspired by hats of the fashion runways, Victorian Bourgeoisie of Europe, English fascinators, and of course cabaret and burlesque headdresses. Not only is Michelle a hat maker but she also makes masks, flower crowns and jewelry inspired of course by Frida Kahlo, Dia de los Muertos and tattoo inspired art. This proud mother of 5 is also an event manager at one of the largest event halls in El Paso TX, owner of La Catrina Day of the Dead and Tattoo Inspired Art Pop-Up store and Deady Page Drop Dead Gorgeous Findings which is a vintage lingerie and findings Pop-Up store. She is also co-founder of the Borderland Fridas, event promoter and a Pin Up girl for the NM chapter of Heels for Combat Boots. If you are interested in a commissioned piece or any of Micelles pieces you can reach her at:

www.facebook.com/LaCatrinaDayOfTheDeadAndTattooInspiredArt

or

www.facebook.com/DeadyPageDropDeadGorgeousFindings

Gracias por leer!

Remember:

Se Amable

Se Honesto

Ser Valiente

Frida Soundtrack-7 "Carabina 3030" by El Poder del Norte

Because...when is it a bad time for the Frida soundtrack???

Bienvenidos!!!

Greetings, beautiful people!

Today is the 20th of November! Why is that date special? Well, no reason, except that i have decided to relaunch this blog and move forward with the ideas that have been swirling through my head full of amazing latina women and how i can feature each and every one of them and create a name and a space that encapsulates what it means to be latina or, "chicana" today, as well as post about some of our other favorite latinas, past and present. I find myself blessed to know so many amazing women of latin decent all over the US and South America, and i want to hear their stories and share them with a larger audience so that the world can see just how amazing we all are.  We are mothers, daughters, artists, writers, doctors, lawyers, business owners, singers, friends, lovers, gay, straight, bi, trans, careworkers, world travelers, yogis, and all around, kick ass women!

If you would like to be featured in Chicanalicious, or know an amazing latina who you would like to see here, please contact me!

https://www.facebook.com/Chicanalicious-172960059389656/?fref=ts

or

https://www.facebook.com/maddygroves

Thanks for reading! Check back often!!!

Se Amable!

Se Honesto!

Ser Valiente!

Ser valiente

Happy Birthday Tomie DePaola (and a Guad spot)

 

One of my most favorite children's literature authors and illustrators is Tomie DePaola! He was born September 15, 1934 in Connecticut.  His most famous work is probably Strega Nona. 

The story about a beloved grandma witch in a small village who hires a boy from town to help her with house chores in her old age.  Well, he gets into some mischief while she is away, and the shenanigans begin.  I believe that there are 11 Strega Nona stories in the series.

Tomie, has also written and illustrated several books for children on Saints, Holidays and Religion, including THIS gorgeous book about our beloved Virgin de Guadalupe.

It's very hard to find now, and even on Amazon, there are not many, and those I found were pretty pricey.  I work at a bookstore and have been trying to get it in, but it's just not available.  If anyone comes across this in a used bookstore, grab it up!!!

Anyway, that's all I wanted to say today, Tomie, thank you for your work! Thank you for your children's literature and thank you for you!!!



Fun Frida items!!!!

It's always fun to find just the right item for a little gift.

Look at all of these cute things with the image of our beloved Frida~

~A fun, blank greeting card with a sheet of stickers~

~A Frida doll! Seriously! A Frida doll....'nough said!~

~A Frida finger puppet/magnet.  Something to adorn and inspire your art desk or kitchen~

~Frida sticky notes~ If you're Chicanalicious and don't have these on your desk yet...ummm...GET SOME!~

 

Add caption

~Now THIS is so much fun! Frida, Magnets, Frocks... Que mas Quieres???~
 
 

~A Frida Pill Box~
Que Cute!!!

 

 Soooo....For those of you reading this who live in Prescott, AZ, where I currently write from, we have all of these fun items at The Peregrine Bookstore where I work, otherwise, I'm sure you can find them all online or at your nearest novelty shop~*~ (or let me know and i'll help you track them down)