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Saturday, July 31, 2010

ALL NEW "Tattoo Pictures" adjustable rings now on Etsy




























































































Been wanting to put together a fun line of adjustable rings to sell on Etsy. Did some thinking about the images to display in these rings and finally decided that doing tattoo icon rings would be great fun. With all the "inked" souls out there in the world these days what better way to represent this "trend, here to stay" than offer rings with traditional tattoo icons. There's lots of info out there about the meaning of these icons so why not include that too in each description? Well, finished a few. Offering them at affordable prices and crossing my fingers to see what happens!

You can find my Tattoo Pictures rings here:

TATTOO PICTURES

Happy weekend to all!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Put a ring on that finger!




















































































































Experimenting with various types of images for rings. Want to keep the price affordable for these difficult times. Want the images to be fun and current. What to do, what to do?? I thought I would start with some tattoo icons - hearts, stars, butterflies. Depending on what response I get, I will add some additional tattoo designs.

Take a look at what I've done so far!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Free Concert in Dolores Park - Alondra de la Parra conducting the San Francisco Symphony











































The San Francisco Symphony held their annual free concert in Dolores Park which included a special tribute to Mexico with an afternoon of musical favorites conducted by rising star Alondra de la Parra, a native of Mexico City who now lives in New York. This event was organized by the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco and the Friends of Mexico 2010 as part of the celebration the Bicentennial of the Independence of Mexico.


Here's the program of music performed:

Conductor/Performers

Alondra de la Parra
conductor

San Francisco Symphony
Program

Márquez
Danzón No. 2

Chávez
Symphony No. 2, Sinfonia India

Rosas
Sobre las Olas

Moncayo
Huapango

Dvořák
Symphony No. 9, New World

It was a beautiful day with every type of San Franciscan enjoying the music, the sun and the fantastic views from lovely Dolores Park. I managed to take a few pics of the Symphony, the crowds and the view and would like to share them!

Alondra de la Parra with the San Francisco Symphony

Monday, July 19, 2010

New upcycled work on Etsy


















































































































Finally got to posting some new work on Etsy. In keeping with using upcycled products, I recycled, remade, redesigned, recrafted, recreated and reused a fab wooden tray and a picture frame. Both have been fabulously painted (well, I like them) and adorned with images of la Artista Diva Frida Kahlo.

Take a look and see for yourself.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51877610/frida-kahlo-portrait-tray-upcycled

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Spotlight on Martha Rodriguez by Erika Pitera of my Shopping connection



Spotlight on Martha Rodriguez







Designer Spotlight on Martha Rodriguez

Martha Rodriguez and her art are greatly influenced by vibrant colors, pop culture and religious icons, and upcycled materials - products of her Mexican ancestry and life in San Francisco.

She works across many different media, creating paintings, jewelry, home accessories, handbags and more.

Martha's art has a distinctive Latin and pop art style, and she takes great pride in reworking found objects and discarded items into "a shining new statement," bursting with vivid color and life.

Estudio Martita on Etsy You work in so many different media. If you had to choose just one as a favorite, what would it be and why?

I would probably choose working with mixed media paintings. I work in a studio filled with painters who have degrees in fine art. My degree is in Social Welfare.

It is intimidating to put a brush to canvas when you're surrounded by professionally trained fine artists. I think for this reason, I enjoy working the most in this medium because it's the most challenging.

My work takes longer to complete. Rather than just creating as I go, the paintings take more thought, are more methodical and sometimes involve constant retouching. This is all an incredible challenge that I enjoy.

If you could meet one pop culture icon, dead or alive, who would it be, and why?

Well, the obvious choice would be Frida Kahlo. I'm fascinated by her life and artwork. She had the strength to create her work despite her physical limitations and unhappy marriage. Pain and sadness did not hold her back from creating.

The fact that her pain and sadness influenced her work is very interesting. She seemed to use her painting as a personal form of therapy and growth. I find that very admirable.

Spotlight on Martha Rodriguez What single word do you feel best describes you and your art?

Eclectic.

Who has influenced your artistic vision the most, and why?

There are a number of contemporary, Chicana, California artists with large bodies of work that I have found to be incredibly influential: Patssi Valdez, Amalia Mesa-Bains, Diane Gamboa, Yolanda Lopez, Yolanda Gonzalez, Ester Hernandez and Juana Alicia. These women all have strong visions and powerful, unique work.

Upcycling is becoming more and more popular in the handmade movement. Do you think it's here to stay?

Absolutely. Waste can no longer be discarded without attention to recycling, reusing, renewing. For those communities and countries that have yet to face this fact, I believe their time will come. Upcycling is more than a trend, it's a necessity.

What does urban folk art mean to you?

I use the term to differentiate myself from strictly indigenous art or art created in rural communities. I am a 3rd generation American of Mexican descent living in the urban city of San Francisco. I look at life, at issues in an urban, progressive light. My work as an urban folk artist combines my Mexican ancestry with my American, urban taste and aesthetics.

Spotlight on Estudio Martita What is the biggest challenge you've faced in your work?

Recently, the declining economy has been a bit tough to handle. I'm a full-time artist and hope to remain one. It is a real gift to be able to face each day completely focused on your work. This is a wonderful privilege that I hope to never lose.

What's your favorite thing to do to relax and unwind?

I love to go see Indie movies with my husband or spend some quiet time with him at home reading or even watching TV. He's also a great cook and creates the most fabulous, nutritious meals.

Spending time with my kids, my grandson. I love getting their take on life and the world. Their opinions keep me in touch with their generation.

I also love spending time with my girlfriends. Sometimes I have girl weekends where we get together, drink a little wine and laugh a lot!!! A girl needs her girlfriends!
_________________________________________________

Explore the urban folk art of Martha Rodriguez at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/estudiomartita

originally Posted by: Erika Pitera | Categories: Interview Series

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A MAPP meeting


Went to a MAPP meeting last night: Mission Arts & Performance Project. It was held at the Red Poppy Art House - a fabulous studio, gallery, arts center on the corner of Folsom and 23rd right in the heart of the Mission District of San Francisco. MAPP describes its program as the following:

The Mission Arts & Performance Project is a bi-monthly, multidisciplinary, intercultural community arts event that takes place in the South-East neighborhood of the Mission District of San Francisco. The MAPP connects visual artists, musicians, poets, dancers/choreographers, filmmakers, playwrights, and other artists, in an on-going collaboration with community organizers and local residents, placing art and performance on the street level through the use alternative spaces such as private garages, gardens, living rooms, studios, street corners, and small businesses, to manifest a non-centralized intercultural arts happening.

Well okay. I've had the pleasure of attending one MAPP event. True to my belief that I am living in the best city in the U.S., this MAPP event brought out all types of San Franciscans: families,individuals, students, seniors and every ethnicity living in this town. People were excited to view art in garages, in galleries, on a sidewalk, in a garden in someones backyard.This was a reflection of the San Francisco I love. It is a city that has the ability to organize without organizing, to praise without segregating, to educate without preaching, the joys, the talent and the acceptance of all who live here side by side. This is the ideal side of being a San Franciscan. This was the ideal that brought me here many years ago and is the anchor that keeps me here - this and of course, my family!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

SF COMITE MEXICANO CIVICO PATRIOTICO FUNDRAISER

I will be selling my work at this event!

























Sat, 07/10/2010 - 5:00pm - 10:00pm

Join us for an evening of art, culture and lively entertainment!

Location: Palos Sculpture Studio, 1330 Donner Avenue SF Ca 94124 415-822-8034

El Comite Mexicano is seeking your support in raising funds for Mexico's Bicentennial Celebration "El Grito" event at the Green Room, City Hall. The Mexican Consulate, Univison and theSF Mayor's Liason to the latino community will also be supporting this event. Featured Artists: Manuel Palos, Alejandra Palos Martha Rodriguez Maria Sanchez Bladimir Cuevas Donations accepted at the door. Hors d'ouevres provided by Tamarindo Restaurant in Oakland. Wine provided by Sotello Vineyards. Entertainment by Jesus Magana and Grupo de Danza by Raices de Santa Cruz.


About the Consulate General of Mexico and Friends of Mexico 2010. Consulate of Mexico is the official representation of the government of Mexico in the region and Friends of Mexico is an organization created for the celebration of Mexico’s Bicentennial, lead by of committee community leaders in the region, and operating as a non-profit organization. The fiscal sponsor of Friends of Mexico is Book Bank USA,
a non profit foundation, established in 1966 and with over 40 years of operating experience. Over this period, Book Bank has been dedicated to the development of public school libraries and specialized educations programs in the US and developing countries.

For more information, images or interviews, please contact:

Eva Pizano Cejka, Consulado General de México 415 354-1736, epizano@sre.gob.mx
or website: http://www.sre.gob.mx/acerca/directorio/consulados/sanfrancisco.htm


Salvador Acevedo Contemporanea 415 404 6982, salvador@contemporanea.us

Saturday, July 3, 2010

new work on Etsy

GUADALUPE TRAY

Frida Kahlo recreated Self Portrait















































June was a busy, sometimes annoying month outside of the studio with some street festivals, computer glitches and a couple of nasty colds. Whew...I got through it all!

July brings me back to the studio and that means FINALLY some new work. I have a couple of new items just posted on Etsy and wanted to share that with all of you. I've added some photos but to see more detail and prices, please go to to my Etsy store. Just click on this link: MY ETSY STORE.