| I am an artist that
has been working with the traditional Hispanic art form of straw
applique since 1996. My straw applique style starts out traditionally.
I use the traditional materials such as soft pine, hand carved
designs, homemade gesso, wheat straw, cornhusk, and some natural
pigments. Then I combine modern materials such as acrylic black
paint, commercial glues and varnish. My designs are traditional
Hispanic religous images with a contemporary twist. I feel it is
extremely important to create art that people can relate to.
The combination of straw applique and retablo style gives my
pieces a contemporary flare, but they are both traditional. Through
the years, I have always welcomed changes in hispanic and Catholic
traditions. Some change is always good as long as we never forget
how we evolved. That is how I see my art in straw applique. In
order for me to enjoy being an artist, I must always remember
to be grounded to my roots, but be able to grow and accept change.
Recent Awards 2007: 1st Place Mixed Media and El Boyd Memorial
Award, Spanish Market; 2006: Honorable Mention, Straw Appliqué,
and the Boeckman Award for New Direction, Spanish Market. 2nd Place
Traditional Folk Art, Expo New Mexico; 2005:
2nd place for Altar Screens and Alan & Ann
Bedder Award, both at Spanish Market; Best
of Show 2005
Hispanic Gallery and
Best
of Show 2005
Spanish
Colonial Art Society Hispanic Gallery, both at New
Mexico
Expo |