Bursting with Gratitude

Here's a picture of me, post open studios No face painting. Hair not brushed or teeth for that matter!! In my sweats on a WARM San Francisco day, sweating!! Ayyyy, how attractive!! You know, I don't care because what I am is FULL OF GRATITUDE.

me and la Santa happy with Gratitude!

WOW is my best descriptive word I can come up for all those that came to see me this past weekend. I was so happy to see such a great crowd. My familia, as always, was there to support me: hubby Gary, daughter Gaby, son Maria & familia Adela, daughter in law, granddaughter Isabelle and grandson Leo. I saw long time friends from my high school days in San Jose, (Linda, Marian, Virginia and Dianna), friends from college (Xochitl) and friends with a long past since (Peter and Yolanda, Audrey, Peter and Charles, Kevin, Matt, Emily, Melissa, Paul, Dan,Maria, Sara and Erica. Bird, Michele and I know there's more but the brain is fried. There were regular customers who came in and even Facebook friends who I met for the first time in person - Mayra Padilla! On top of all that I had the pleasure of meeting new people who enjoyed my work and I so enjoyed visiting with. Could a girl as for more??? I DON'T THINK SO. I'M THRILLED.

So this is my thank-you, thank-you, thank-you blog post to all of you. For those that couldn't make it, please don't feel guilty.Thanks to YOU because you always have a special place in my heart and are there for me.

Well, as I sit here in this hotsy totsy San Francisco house which at least has screens on the windows, I am excited about venturing back to the studio. I've got ideas that I want to put on canvas and stuff I want to make with my hands. Chip, my Chipper dog is always excited about returning to the studio. He is my star, studio dog who welcomes all adoring pets from his fan base at 1890 Bryant. He also LOVES his special treats he receives from Terri and rest of the staff across the hall at Women's Audio Mission!

So, thanks for EVERYTHING! As in the title of this blog post, I am BURSTING with gratitude!

~ Martha

Martha Rodriguez / Estudio Martita - Invitation to Open Studios at 1890 Bryant

Frida: Black, White and Grey

  

Hi All. The studio doors will be open again. I'll have some new work to show:  the beginnings of a new Mama series; Bountiful, women in voluptuous shapes; two Frida Kahlo portraits in black and white. There will also be a few new vintage handbags detailed with vibrant designs plus some handmade home accessories! Lots to see, lots to share. Details below. 1890 Bryant (btwn 17th and Mariposa), 3rd Floor, Studio 318 Friday, April 25 6-9PM opening preview! Saturday, April 26 noon-6PM Sunday, April 27 noon-6PM Hope to see you there! Martha Rodriguez http://artspan.org/artist/martharodriguez http://estudiomartita.blogspot.com/

Mama Artist

Madre del Mundo

Mama and Baby

After 25 years of being a Mom, Mommy, Mama and now grandma, I realized I had never expressed this part of my life artistically. What does a Mama look like in my world? How does she express herself? How does she handle the stresses of motherhood and mothering?

Well, at this point in time, I don't have many answers. I have just finished painting two "Mama" paintings (see above). It's a start. I want to continue on with more paintings on the theme of motherhood and see where it takes me.

Starting a new path and continuing on with others keeps me happy and engaged. Its like life. There's always a new path that comes your way and you have to face the fears and take the first step.

Madre del Mundo - Mother of the World - new painting

I am on hyper mode for blog posting this past week. Feel like there's been a lot of thoughts and creative energy running through me Putting it down in writing helps gets these thoughts out and make them a reality.

This week, I worked on a smaller painting titled, "Madre del Mundo", Mother of the World. It is for submission to an exhibit in Oakland called Honoring the Journey of Motherhood. In thinking about this theme. I felt that my own style of mothering and motherhood has been of course to nurture and guide my own children and grandchildren.I've found there is also another side of mothering and motherhood. That is with individuals in the world who need the compassion and guidance of a mother For whatever reason, the compassion of mothering is missing from their lives.

The painting, "Madre del Mundo" is meant to indicate that many mothers are here on earth to nurture, offer compassion for those in need - relation or not. For myself, I feel this aspect of motherhood deeply. It guides me through my daily encounters regularly. Therefore, in my eyes, to be a mother means to be a Madre del Mundo, Mother of the World.

Here are some pics of the painting.

p.s. Any inquires about this painting or others http://artspan.org/artist/martharodriguez. don't hesitate to contact me at estudiomartita@gmail.com

estudio martita: In Remission 3 years, 4 months, 7 days

estudio martita: In Remission 3 years, 4 months, 7 days: I have been in remission from Leukemia - Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - for three years, four months and seven days....and I am countin...

In Remission 3 years, 4 months, 7 days

I have been in remission from Leukemia - Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - for three years, four months and seven days....and I am counting.

For those uninitiated to the throes of being a cancer patient, perhaps the question is , "Why bother counting? Why not just move on? You conquered cancer and life goes on." The simplistic answer to this complex question is this: Cancer never leaves. It might sleep, stay in remission for a few years, then  perhaps return. This could be a short respite from the disease or you could be granted a longer time until its return. If you're terribly lucky, perhaps it will never return. Remission, however, does not mean you are cured.

Merrian Webster provides the definition of remission as:

: a state or period during which the symptoms of a disease are abated; remission

 after treatment—

In other words, remission is a period of time where cancer is reduced in amount, degree, or intensity. So, to describe this state of living in my own terms, I am surviving while carrying inside me a sleeping giant. I don't know when and if he will awaken. He is always with me. He is silent for now and perhaps forever but he is always with me.

This sounds so scary. In fact writing this blog post frightens me. Why am I writing this if facing this fact brings me so much fear? It is because I feel that in order to conquer this fear, I have to face it. I must admit to myself and others that yes, I am frightened. I think about my Leukemia diagnosis every day.

There is a big YET here. Yet, facing this fear, writing about, talking about my fear of Leukemia returning also strengthens me. I am weakening the fear by admitting it. This weakening feels like I've taken some of the pain out of my chest and I can breathe more freely. I can see more clearly. I can look at my surroundings and feel grateful for my family, friends. I can love my dog Chip more completely and be grateful he was at the SPCA when we were ready to adopt again.

My expression of fear and pain frees me to enjoy the present. I am looking out the window and see blue, blue sky. I sit in my house and enjoy the light through the windows, the photos and the paintings. on the walls. I feel at peace. I have been given this day as a gift. I've said that so often but living life through each day is the best description of my life since Leukemia.

Today was a day for checking in with my reality. Living, grateful.

One life. One day.

New work in Estudio Martita and refreshed again from New Orleans