The zen of Open Studios in the MIssion

I tell people I strive to be ZEN in my approach to living as a cancer survivor. I'd like to say that applies to a aspects of my life but in all honesty, that wouldn't be true. Take for example, preparing for Open Studios. Well, first of all, I developed a horrific cold last week. Since I'm still taking Chemo meds which lower your immune system, colds can be detrimental. Pneumonia is a common result of ordinary colds. So, I called my doctor and had them prescribe antibiotics just in case what I had was not viral. Okay, set.

Now to recover. I've been out of the studio for 6 days. In my previous life, this would have sent me for a double dosage of anti-anxiety meds. No time to loose it and besides it's worse for my health. Today, Tuesday, I am finally going into the studio to do what I can with the little time left to prepare for Friday. My paintings are finished. I have some folk art and jewelry to finish. I will try to finish what I can today. What more can I do? I have no control to change days lost, improve my recovery time or create more work by working through the nights, getting more tired, stressed out, blah, blah, blah.

Hmmmm, now that I write about this, I guess there's a little bit of Zen in my life.  Here's a ZEN definition: Zen is the peace that comes from being one with an entity other than yourself. When I read this I think that my cold, my nervousness about preparations, quantity and yes quality of work really are not all that important in the big world picture. I'll get through this and I am not alone. If I'm not well enough by Open Studios, I'll make preparations. Life will go on and these preparations are not worth creating drama. My life is not even a speck in the universe and I'm okay with that!

Now, need to get out of here and on to studio!
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But before I depart, another reminder....

Rojo - acrylic on canvas, 24 X 30 - new in Bountiful series

Its time again for Spring Open Studios in the Mission. I have new paintings, folk art and jewelry to share with you! Please join me this weekend as hundreds of artists in the Mission open their studios to share their amazing work! Details below.

Spring Open Studio's at 1890 Bryant (btwn 17th and Mariposa) - Studio #318, 3rd Floor, on way to restrooms - so convenient! 

Opening Event - Friday Apr 19 - 6pm-9pm

Sat & Sun - Apr 20-21 - noon-6pm

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Spring Open Studios in the Mission

Hi All.

I'll be opening up my studio, at 1890 Bryant for Springtime viewing. I'll have some new paintings 

(see above), plus new folk art and jewelry all available for your enjoyment and purchase.


Details

what: Spring Open Studios

where: 1890 Bryant St. at Mariposa, San Francisco, I'm in Studio 318, 3rd floor

when: opening preview, Friday April 19th, 6 to 9pm ~ Saturday and Sunday, April 20th and 21st, 12 to 6pm


map of 1890:     http://goo.gl/maps/Dph0v

Would love to see you there!
Martha / Estudio Martita          

My Life as a Deer - An exploration into the sublime existence in nature

Dana Bloede, a fabulous artist out of the Chicago area, is curating an indie exhibition in her own "suburban kitchen!" She has posted a wonderful blog post with a highlight of my work. Here's a sample of it with a link to the entire post: http://www.danabloede.com/index.php/blog/

Take a read...

Artist Martha Rodriguez 

Chicana*Urban*Folk*Artist

(San Francisco)

I call myself an  urban folk   artist. I am a native Californian, Chicana, urban dweller and a child of popular culture. My work is greatly influenced by modern and religious  icons. Bright color palates and texture also play an important part in my chosen mediums: mixed media work on canvas and up-cycled objects, jewelry design and home  accessories.

http://missionartistsunited.org/artists/estudiomartita

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Posted by: at 3:06 am on March 6th, 2013

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A Step Back to Move Forward

WELL....I've been absent from my blog for 2 1/2 months. Whew....where did the time go and what was I doing??

First, let's just get this part out of the way. I had my two year Leukemia diagnosis anniversary on November 30th, 2012. Instead of feeling celebratory, I felt sad and ever so slightly hopeless. For the life of me, I couldn't figure where this despair came from and why it appeared. Up until that point, I had been very clear that the Leukemia battle I had fought made me stronger and I was happy to be with the living. Then my two year diagnosis anniversary arrived and I felt despondent. What was going on?

Looking back now, I can see that my altar for Dia de los Muertos, "Healing Embrace" at SOMArts was a brush with my reality. I was forced to look back at my Leukemia diagnosis and  8 months of treatment and in a sense relive the fear, pain and confinement. The "warrior" in me was tired of being strong and well , I needed to face the fear. Questions of how long do I have before my next cancer scare, will I succumb to cancer, how long do I have to live,  plus worrying about any signs of fatigue were all present. I was a mess and didn't feel like putting these feelings into words.

I can't really say what helped exactly in extracting myself from the sadness. I know that my annual "gurlz weekend" up in Sonoma with my fabulous friends Danna and Chris helped. We managed to talk through whatever needed talking through PLUS watched all the episodes of Downton Abey, Series One! Very therapeutic. Also, this February, I learned that my friend Csaba in New Orleans had had a stroke. He is only 49. My self-absorbed "oh woe is me" time turned to helping Csaba with words of encouragement. It was also major incentive to pull myself out of the dregs of sadness.

So, I'm back. I can't guarantee there won't be another time of sadness but I'm happy to have weathered this round.

What have I been doing? Well, I may have been sad but I was still  painting and making stuff in my studio.

I've worked on a couple of Dia de los Muertos paintings and some new Frida paintings. Take a look!

Las Manos de Frida

La Rosa Frida

La Fashionista

If you'd like to view more of my art, please go to Art by Latina Artists / ABLA:
http://arteabla.ning.com/photo/photo/listForContributor?screenName=2r0kg4i8yfqk8

Well, it feels good to be writing in my blog again.  My friend Lara Medina from L.A.  is coming with her daughter Marisol.  Marisol is now a college Freshman at UCSC. Time passes! Anyway, I have to get a few things together. Yesterday my Mom and sister were visiting along with son Mario and Adela with Leo (eight years) and  20 month old Isabelle and of course my girl Gaby who helped Gary (husband) with the cooking. With just a little bit of cleanup and organizing, I was able to  relax and enjoy the conversation.

Very good times!!

Artsy Retail Therapy...for the HOLIDAYS...with Estudio Martita

Took a mini-break from artistic ventures in November and now back for some holiday fun! 

Happy to announce I'll be in Oakland this weekend for:

Holiday First Friday and Saturday Stroll at

Giovanna Tanzillo's Uptown Body and Fender


401 -  26th St., between Broadway andTelegraph  

Friday, December 7, 6-10 PM

Saturday, December 8th, 12-5 PM 
   

View Larger Map

Stop by to shop and choose from a fabulous selection of Bay Area artists and crafters selling their unique selection of artistic treasures.

Participating artists have  raised over $3000 to benefit Women's Cancer Resource Center. 



Here's a sample of some of the items I'll be showing!

Frida Rings

Cameo Pendants

home accessories / artwork

Hope to see you there!

~Martha

SOMArts Dia de los Muertos Closing Reception - Calling on the Spirits

CLOSING RECEPTION FOR CALLING ON THE SPIRITS TO FACE THE FUTURE: 

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS 2012

What: Closing Reception for Calling on the Spirits to Face the Future: Dia de los Muertos 2012, November 10

When: Saturday, November 10, 6–9pm

Where: 934 Brannan St. (between 8th & 9th)

How Much: $5 admission, no one turned away for lack of funds, advance tickets encouraged

Join the artists & curators behind Calling on the Spirits to Face the Future: Dia de los Muertos 2012 for the final opportunity to view and interact with more than 40 elaborate, traditional altars and multi-dimensional art installations on display in a visually rich gallery setting. Enjoy a Dia de los Muertos themed artist market and a cash bar and taco truck while supporting this annual tradition.

Ticket prices have been reduced in an effort to make this event accessible to all, and in hopes that more of your friends and family celebrate life and honor the spirits of the dead along with more than 90 artists who have created these deeply touching and thought-provoking tributes.

Would LOVE to see you there!!

~Martha

Remembering Dad on Dia de los Muertos

I was very fortunate to have recorded a commentary for KQED's California Report about my altar "Healing Embrace" currently on exhibit at SOMArts in San Francisco. Thanks for taking the time to listen in.



For those living in the Bay Area or visiting, Calling on the Spirits to Face the Future, the Dia de los Muertos exhibit at SOMArts San Francisco will be open until November 10th. Its a beautiful exhibit!

Here are the hours:

 October 13–November 10, 2012

What: Calling on the Spiritis to Face the Future

Where: SOMArts 934 Brannan St. (between 8th & 9th)

How Much: Free admission

Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 12–7pm, Saturday 11am–5pm, Sunday, 11am–3pm