MY WORK WILL BE AVAILABE AT THE SOMArts Open House & Pop-Up Shop

SOMArts Open House & Pop-Up Shop

For the first time, in about four months, I'm going to have some of my jewelry and accessories on sale at this SOMArts pop-up shop this coming Sunday. I'm thrilled. Lots of one-of-a-kind items will be available all for $25.00 or under. AMAZING! Although I won't be there in attendance (going back into the hospital tomorrow for a four day stay) my work will be for sale. If you are in the city or will be in the city on Sunday, please stop by. Besides the pop-up shop, all of SOMArts will be open for an open house with activities listed below. Stop by!
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Sunday, April 10, 2011 - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Cost: FREE
SOMArts | 934 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA


SOMArts Open House & Pop Up Shop | SoMaSOMArts opens its doors for a Sunday of art, food and entertainment. Stroll through the community garden, grab lunch from a local food cart, take a free origami class, free yoga class and buy artwork ranging from $5 to $25.

Open House Workshop and Demonstration Schedule

2:00-2:30 Origami with Jeremy Shafer of Bay Area Rapid Folders
2:30–3:00 Chrysalis Studio Printmaking Demonstration with Katie Gilmartin
3:00–3:30 Darkroom Q&A with Rene and Tom of Sixth Street Photography
3:30–4:00 Yoga Meditation led by Crystal Nelson in the SOMArts Dance Studio AND Origami with Jeremy Shafer of Bay Area Rapid Folders
4:00–4:30 Chrysalis Studio Printmaking Demonstration with Katie Gilmartin
4:30–5:00 Darkroom Q&A with Rene and Tom of Sixth Street Photography
5:00–5:30 Yoga Meditation led by Crystal Nelson in the SOMArts Dance Stu

A night out with friends and ancestors:

me, Maria Sanchez, Alejandra Palos, Roxanne Quezada Chartouni

Compañía Mazatlán Bellas Artes

Compañía Mazatlán Bellas Artes

Compañía Mazatlán Bellas Artes

Compañía Mazatlán Bellas Artes

Had a night out with my hubby Gary and 3 girlfriends: Maria, Roxanne and Alejandra. All artists we create paintings, sculpture and photography. A wonderful mixture of talent. A wonderful night out seeing the Olmec exhibit http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/exhibitions/olmec-colossal-masterworks-ancient-mexico at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. Along with the fab exhibit were the dancing genius of Azteca dance troupe Danza Xitlalli and Folklorico dance troupe Compañía Mazatlán Bellas Artes de Sacramento. What a great night. It felt so good to be out again with hubby and friends. Happy to be strong enough to have a night out!

~ Martha

Its Jewelry Time - Enough Already - Let's get back to work

Okay, so I've been diagnosed with a major illness and have another 5 months or so of treatment. Heard this tirade over and over again. At my last hospital visit, I decided it was time to get back to doing something artistic again. Painting in a hospital room is not such an easy feat. There is just too much to clean up after yourself. I decided to go back to my roots: jewelry making, beading, whatever you want to call it. Hubby Gary went to the studio and picked up beads, wire, tools, findings and I got to work. Boy, my hands were just itching to get busy again. The first day, I shooed the nurses and doctors out of my room as soon as possible so I could get back to work. All of them seemed surprised that I had something I could create while passing the time. My thought was you need to expand your circle of friends if you don't know anyone with artistic interests. My hospital room became a one room operation. I made earrings, rings and necklaces. With my new Canon camera (Christmas present from Gar) I photographed them. Using my lap top, I edited the photos. Finally, I posted them on Etsy and waited for sales. Believe it or not, the sales actually came. I even had my first sale from France just a few days ago. I guess my research in finding the right ingredients to put together my jewelry has paid off. One thing you have a lot of time for while in the hospital, is doing research.

Honestly, I hate all this time I'm having to spend in and out of the hospital. Beyond that, I'm enjoying using the time to research and create. Life is hard but sometimes you figure out how to make it better. I'm trying to stay creative in all walks of life.

Today is the beginning of my first week at home. I'll be home for two weeks. The sun is finally shining again. The orange walls of my house are shining bright. The sky is a beautiful hue of blue. There are some white puffy clouds hanging over the hills and bay. Its beautiful out there. Life isn't perfect but it could be way worse. I'm hanging on and hoping to make things better.

~ Martha
p.s. photo above is pic I took about a month ago while visiting Fort Point under the San Francisco side of the Golden Gate bridge - what can I say...I live in a beautiful town!

Lessons from Dad

My Dad, Jacob or Jake as he was known, was a celebrity, star in his own world. Funny, kind, positive, he used these qualities as a great story teller, singer and leader at his church. He attracted friends from all walks of life. Once you met Jake, you would never forget him. He was always ready for a good conversation and always interested in who you were.

Despite his positive disposition, Dad lived his life faced with various health issues. When he was a young man, working at San Jose Hospital, he agreed to help a friend move a piano. The piano slipped and broke his back. He was constantly in pain throughout his life from this injury and often had to receive surgery to relieve the discomfort. His life in his later years involved ailments associated with aging. My Dad was basically always in and out of hospitals. It was a way of life.

As a child, I didn't feel his hospital visits were particularly unusual or even frightening. My mother always presented his hospitalization as something normal. We'd go off to the hospital to visit. Once there, Dad always seemed to be holding court: greeting doctors, nurses and other co-workers with a smile on his face. As a child all I could see was that he wasn't frightened by the medical care he was receiving and he was surrounded by friends. Not a bad environment to be in.

As he became older, his relationship with his doctors grew more into friendships with a personal touch given to the type of care he received. My Dad never lost his ability to treat the hospital as his second home. His ailments grew more serious with age but he always had a ready smile and a greeting for a friend.

My Dad lived until the age of 87. He had quite a long life. With my recent diagnosis of Leukemia, I have felt his memory so close to me. There have been times that I physically felt his presence - almost in an embrace. It seems Dad has called on me to remember his strategies of dealing with health issues: face them don't fear them, do what is possible to overcome them, ask questions when needed and make friends with your community at the hospital.

It is my turn to create my community while in the hospital. The biggest surprise has been my ability to "channel" Dad while in the hospital. I know the names of doctors, nurses and other hospital staff. I chat with everyone. I question without alienating and manage to get through various procedures without getting hysterical. I'm a good patient - just as the nurses always said about Dad.

Dad prepared me for this journey. He gave me skills to deal with the multitude of treatments I have yet to receive. He showed me how to be fearless while facing overwhelming circumstances. He taught me how to create a nurturing environment, away from home and in a sterile medical environment. Love and caring exist in many odd places and I'm happy to say that Dad helped me find it here and now.

Thank-you Dad for being such a great teacher. I had no idea there were more lessons to be learned from you even after your departure from this world.

I miss you and love you,
Martita

Things are allright.

After all my tales of angst, woe is me, I have to return to the hospital, I'm back here again and it hasn't been all that bad. Its actually been quite relaxing. I've gotten two different dosages of chemo over the past few days with minimal side effects. I guess the anticipation of returning is much worse than the actual being here.

I have a nice, quiet room. I decorated it with Tibetan Prayer Flags (a gift from my daughter Gaby.) I have pictures of my kids, a Virgen de Guadalupe pillow, a heart quilt my mother made. I also displayed a plaque my son Mario made saying, "Not that you need any help BUT...GET WELL SOON!" which is adorable. My daughter's friend Maria brought me some Holy Water from her Russian Orthodox Church plus postcards of a few saints. My friend Ale brought me a print out on Saint Peregrine - Patron Saint of Cancer Patients which also includes a lovely prayer. Finally, I have images of Frida Kahlo. Her difficult life and willingness to endure endless physical and emotional pain gives me strength. She used her art to express a multitude of emotions - some of which I believe we will never fully experience in our own lifetime.

Over the weekend my sister Diane came up from L.A. She picked up my Mom in San Jose and they visited Saturday and Sunday. We watched movies here, had lunch together and just talked. It was relaxing, distracting and just enjoyable. A good weekend for a great family visit.

Friday was my husband Gary and I's 27th wedding anniversary. Who knew? We have a marriage well on its way to 30 years! Since that was my first day back at the hospital, he took time off from work and we had a long lunch together. He went to my favorite Japanese restaurant in the Sunset District - Ebisu - and brought me the most delicious shrimp tempura and fresh crab rolls. YUM!!! It was a great meal together. In the evening he came back after work and we watched the Warriors play ? It really didn't matter who they were playing. I just enjoyed the time together with Gar.

So that's my big sob story. Doesn't sound very sad does it? It isn't. I get so disappointed in myself when I wallow in all that angst and fear. Once I'm firmly planted in whatever situation I fear, it usually works out just fine. This is exactly what happened with this hospital visit. Oh I may face a few bad days ahead but I'll face them if and when they happen.

So Happy Valentines day out there. Give a hug to those you love or a quick call or email.

and remember...

Yes, I can benefit from this over and over again....

Martha

Tomorrow it is!

Tomorrow I am re-admitted to the hospital. Unlike my last visit which was 9 days, this visit will be anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks. I'll be given a total of 3 or 4 different chemos during that time. The doctors have told me that this particular regimen might cause more side effects that any other therapy I've received so far.

Hmmmmm.....not exactly something to look forward to. Run away and hide?? I don't think its an option!

Is it any wonder I feel a little bit like the little girl above? Sometimes you just want to pout!!!

I'm going to miss my famila (they'll be visiting), my house (so much sunshine) and my freedom. THERE!! I stomped my foot too!!

Take care out there.

Martha

Back to the hospital.

Saw my doctor and nurse practitioner today for another set of blood tests. My test results have even improved since Friday. Had an adverse reaction to some of the chemo over the past two months and my liver was taxed and overworked. Today my liver function looks great. My nurse practitioner said it was time to return to the hospital for more chemo. I asked if I could have another week off. She brought in the "Big Guns," Dr. Kaplan who is all of about 5'. He got tough with me and said they wanted my Leukemia to remain in remission so it was important to continue the chemo treatment regimen as scheduled. Oh well, it didn't hurt to ask!

Looks like I'll be going back into UCSF on Thursday.

Just when I was so enjoying the Spring / Summer like weather in San Francisco!!

Martha