New work for November 2010

I'M WORKING MY HANDS AS FAST AS I CAN....

For whatever reason, it feels like my progress has been slow in adding to items for the holidays. Now that I think about it I think this is what I always go through when I'm working towards a deadline - I can't seem to get my hands to work fast enough. Oh well...such is life in the handmade business! Your hands can only work as fast as they can. I'm happy with the work I've produced so far!

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all of you. Be safe out there!

hugs,
Martha

Galería de la Raza's 40th Anniversary Gala Celebration

 

Galería de la Raza's 40th Anniversary Gala Celebration

A beautiful event. Galeria de la Raza - a cornerstone of the Latino art movement starting in the 1970's Mission. Renee Yanez - one of the leaders of the Chicano Art Movement in the Mission. Art in the Mission and beyond wouldn't be the same without you. Finally, Guillermo Gomez-Pena, the truthsayer - and many truths were told last night. Words of wisdom also from Tomas Ybarra-Frausto and Sandra Cisneros. A memorable evening and a great time to mingle with new and old friends. Thank-you to Carolina Ponce de León and staff for a wonderful event.

Estudio Martita events to buy handmade for the Holidays!

Hi All.

Well its time to put down in writing all the events I'll be doing this holiday season. Lots of varied venues throughout the city of San Francisco. I decided to stay local this year - closer to the familia and familia of friends.

Here's where you can find me for the Holidays 2010!
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Madrone Art Bar Presents: Madrone Craft Bar Pop-up Shop

Sunday, November 28, 2010 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission

Get a head start on the holiday shopping and find the perfect handmade something for everyone on your list at this one-day-only craft emporium! San Francisco locals Black Heart Industries, Denise DeShetler CMT, Estudio Martita, Guerrero Street Handmade, Hansolo Creations, Meredith Nevard, OooMami flicks and The Poetry Store will be on hand selling everything from fine art to jewelry to massage therapy gift certificates. Flush out the tryptophan with a dollar-per-minute massage and Madrone’s happy hour and post-Thanksgiving inspired cocktails!

Madrone Craft Bar Pop-up Shop Sunday, November 28, 20101 p.m. to 8 p.m.Free admission and drink specials to flush out the tryptophan!


Madrone Art Bar 500 Divisadero Street, at Fell Street San Francisco , CA 94117 (415) 241-0202
http://www.madroneartbar.com
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AMATE - Women Painting Stories

December 03, 2010 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Location - Intersection 5M -  925 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94103

Price $10.00 - $15.00

An exploration of the sights and sounds of the Mission begins this December. Join us for a standout spoken word event that has showcased accomplished poets and performers eight years and counting. The tradition continues as Amate spreads its wings and brings the show down Mission Street to Intersection 5M. Founder and organizer Leticia Hernandez presents a ninth year of the finest woman's poetry, performance, song and a group of visual artists selling their work - that's me!

http://www.theintersection.org/calendar/index.php?op=view&id=3454
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FOGBELT STUDIO 

Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale

28 local artists / craftspeople, wonderful hand made works
~ fiber, fabric, paper, wood, glass, clay;boxes, bowls, mosaics, jewelry & ornaments;scarves & hats, bags & totes; wall hangings & quilts;beauty & bath items; miniatures in yarn & fabric, wire & clay;cards, journals, calendars & prints; dolls; kids & adults art kits;

Free Entry & Refreshments plus Daily Door Prizes!

December 3 - 4 – 5
Friday -     12 noon to 8 pm
Saturday - 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday -   12 noon to 6 pm

2528 - 25th Avenue (between Ulloa & Vicente) San Francisco CA 94116

http://www.fogbeltstudio.com
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1890 Bryant Holiday Sale - in my studio building! 

Saturday, December 11, 2010, noon to 6pm

Studio 311 and 201

1890 Bryant St. @ Mariposa San Francisco

Cross items off that gift list at the 1890 Bryant Holiday Sale! This one day event showcases a little of everything the building has to offer: Deck your halls with art from Annie Arasmith, Kirsten Tradowsky, Liz Hickok, Marcia Middleton, Martha Rodriguez, Michelle Inouchi, Michelle King, Randy Titchenal, Scott Tsuchitani, Sonya Philip, Tessa Merrie; and ceramics from Susan Peterson and Mad Potters Studio artists Jan Ting, Jennifer Wong, Lee Dwyer and Tim Stevenson Adorn yourself with jewelry from Alice Roche. Cupcakes from Jasmine Rae Bakery will sweetly sustain you and Trish Tunney will have the green screen photo studio set up for fun holiday-themed portraits

http://1890bryant.com/events.html

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So that's if for this year. Hope you can stop by one of the events for a visit, some shopping and some treats.

Happy Holidays to you all!

Martha

Handmade Spark - Estudio Martita - rings and home decor

Handmade Spark - Estudio Martita - rings and home decor

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS in SAN FRANCISCO: diversity in attendance

Attended the Dia de los Muertos procession in San Francisco. Those in attendance were every slice of San Francisco within our 49 square miles: latino families, walking with photos of loved ones who had passed on; non-latinos, also walking with photos of loved ones.  Hipsters walked the streets, out for a good time or out to participate in the remembrance of loved ones. Burning Man types - The Burners were in attendance with the group Apocalypse cycling their stage coach contraption through the procession. I saw the most beautiful array of Calavera face painting I had ever seen. Artistic masterpieces were being worn by participants in the procession. Lots of Catrinas in vintage dress and lots of top hats with no preference for gender in either of the two styles. The only group I objected to were the drunken types who treated Dia de los Muertos as any other parade or holiday. Walking the streets of the Mission with drinks in hand, they acted as if Day of the Dead was Mardi Gras and another excuse to get blasted. WRONG....SO WRONG!

Some might complain that Dia de los Muertos no longer belongs strictly to the Latino community.Well, there might be some truth to this. What I saw at the procession, for the most part, were some individuals taking part in an event that they understood and respected, respected and were curious, reinterpreted to fit in with their lifestyle, were completely clueless but curious or just plain completely clueless. Other than completely clueless, I think there is room for all of this. When an individual decides to participate in an event that is so different from the life they know, I think this is a good thing. It is educating yourself about another culture. Education breeds understanding rather than ignorance.

San Francisco is not a perfect city by any means but it is a city that encourages understanding rather than ignorance.That is why I live here in a city that covers 49 square miles. We are all smushed together. Not everyone gets along. Not everyone understands each other. Despite that, there is a large enough cross section of the population where curiosity, understanding of our differences is encouraged. This was the theme I saw that was the most prevalent during the procession - a desire to understand, adopt and encourage.

It was a beautiful Dia de los Muertos event.

If you'd like to see more photos of the procession, go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/estudiomartita/sets/72157625184480951/

Connected to Los Dias de los Muertos

Woke up this morning, went to my computer to check email and found this beautiful tribute to Dia de los Muertos on Etsy. My Virgen de Calavera was also included. I feel honored to be a part of this.

Looking forward to the procession tomorrow in San Francisco's Mission in honor of Dia de los Muertos. Feeling the pull of the spirits during these days. Not a scary feeling like being haunted. Just feel a sense of  them close by. Its like being given a group hug by your Dad and grandma even though they are no longer here.

Its an otherworldly feeling. No...I am not crazy. I am just feeling connected to the Dia  de los Muertos.