Body Image....disFigured....love yourself!

As many of you know, we don't own a TV, but we are avid film fans- Netflix's streaming to our laptop makes it way too easy to lay back with a glass of wine in one hand, paintbrush in the other...

Last night, I watched disFIGURED as I painted. the preview had a weird description: an anorexic joining a support group for fat individuals, but Julian and Sergio were busy doing their own thing..so I chalked it up to "girlie movie" night.

Confession: When I was 15, I had anorexia for a brief period of time. I remember it started one spring, and ended by that winter, around 9 or 10 months duration... I did not eat, hid my food and even thought myself 'better' than my best friend, she was a bulimic who ate but threw up.
Sick, I know, and never before have I shared this in public-but I am doing so in the hopes it may help someone-here it is:

“Our body is…a vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.” -- Buddha


One day, I remember my mom walking in on me as I was getting dressed, I was so skinny, I had not had my period in months, and was weighing barely 85 pounds (5'x 3" tall). Soon after she saw me, she took me to a psychologist who told her that anorexics do what they do because of over controlling parents (!)...she never took me back.

A few weeks later, she took me to our pediatrician. A very wise Cuban immigrant..., he asked my mom to step out of the room.
He then asked me: now that you have proven to yourself that you can go without eating, now that you know that is the one thing your parents can not control...what about YOU? What about how YOU feel? What about boys? Do any of them pay attention to this sack of bones? It was harsh, yet truth always hits you deep.

Then, he gave me an ultimatum...unless I gained 3 lbs, I would not be able to visit Chile.
He threatened me with IVs and again asked me how did I feel...
I missed my homeland...and probably part of the anorexia was due to being homesick. So, I forced myself to eat, and I made up my mind that while there- I would become healthy again.
I remember flying there on the plane, with my "extra 3lbs" on...vowing I would eat 'like normal' and come back to the USA fully recovered.
And, I did!
My life turned around when I began to believe in me
It was not easy, but I forced myself to get well just as I had forced myself not to eat.

Still....all these years--and like so many other women: I have pinched this, grabbed that...and have hoped for a leaner something or other. Thing is: we will always want to reach for that "ideal"...whatever that "ideal" is... set forth by our family, media, society.

Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth ~Aesop

The movie last night reminded me of all this. It is a complex movie which touches on several subjects pertaining to body image. I highly recommend it.
I think it is good because it is very realistic in reminding us that in the end, it is all about what is inside that counts.


Yes, obesity is a health hazard, but so are cigarettes, french fries, working with toxic art materials, taking prescription meds, hair dye, sodas, tap water and a million other things in our environment!

I had not thought about blogging about this..but today I made a few 15 minute sketches from one of my favorite models. She is beautiful and full figured. I have always found full figured women beautiful...maybe because the first life model I drew from was full figured...maybe because I grew up seeing all the work from the Old Masters: full figured women being their focus...maybe because I am a woman who loves my femininity and I seem to find this easier within the fuller bodies.

So, I thought I would post this..especially in the light that many have e-mailed to ask me if I am doing the raw lifestyle to lose weight (no, I am doing it for my health. I have had IBS, back pain and thyroid issues-all being resolved thanks to raw foods!).

In these last couple of years I have finally become very comfortable in my own body. Partly because of my dear partner Sergio... partly because of the route my life has taken to a more spiritually based path...more true to my inner self... I have grown to love myself deeper and deeper at every level-inside and out.

Curve: The loveliest distance between two points. ~Mae West

Damn the body thing....food is a sensual experience..it is fuel for our bodies, yes- but it is also a sensual delight!
This is what raw foods has reminded me off: food is not only nutrition...it is also part of life's joy!
And food joy for the body is like meditation for the spirit..like a good book for the mind....




“Everybody is unique. Compare not yourself with anybody else lest you spoil God’s curriculum.” -- Baal Shem Tov

Making art in undies

Our evites have been sent out for our Annual Open studio!
We do hope that you will visit with us then!

I remember the first open studio I had...it was about 7 years ago, when the studio was still a garage which never was.... it was full of cabinets full of junk (previous homeowner) which friends and I covered with black sheets.
The space was not heated, thus we used the type of propane heaters utilized outdoors by construction workers (yikes! not healthy at all :P)

So many lovely friends and family came out, I actually sold lots of work!
Thank you to all who have always supported me :)...especially my mama and my tia Veronica!

The following two years, the studio was finished and looked awesome, but the baseboard heaters were not very helpful. It was so chilly in there that a friend even offered buy us heaters (!)-we declined...but realized it was not only our bodies needing warmth...we needed to be warm so we could work in there, and so people could visit us comfortably!

We made the decision to install a woodstove in the studio-a very expensive plan...and thus we decided to continue our summer camps to pay for it.

It was one of the best decisions we have ever made!
We love to work in the studio in the winter time now! It can get so warm in there, we often work in short sleeves even as we watch the snow come down (mmhh..yes, indeed, if you show up unannounced, you may find Sergio painting in his undies!)

I digress..............

Anyway, our open studio in December is a great pARTy... we will have goodies and mulled wine..plus lots of original artwork *well priced* for gift giving!


I am making mini paintings to keep my work accessible to all during this 'recession'..and Sergio has his earrings super well priced ($7.- a pair).


Here are some samples of his earrings, and two of my mini paintings (2" x 3").
The blue one is actually an encaustic I made using a Cicada, decorated like the ancient Mexican beetles.


I plan to post our work here often until the opening...and we will be doing a giveaway soon too (details coming...!)

Winter Holiday pARTy!

siames
Originally uploaded by olivosartstudio

This weekend we will be sending out the announcement to our Annual Winter Holiday pARTy...please mark your calendars!!
Exactly one month from today:

December 5 from 6pm to midnight!

We hope to see you here!!!!!!!!!

(image: Siamese by Sergio)

mini canvases, jewlery and working small

I have lately been drawn to painting on mini canvases. This is entirely new "territory" for me-the very first painting I made was 6 ' x 7' (!) - I have always loved working large ... yet I am finding it a joy to work on these tiny canvases. The average size is 2" x 2 and 3/4".

Similarly, Sergio has become more and more enamored with creating earrings and necklaces out of beads, sea shells and more. Sergio has always loved working with objects, and it seems logical to step from his encaustic paintings, to a full 3-D object art.

We are both working with small and more intimate pieces.

This small format is portable and convenient for winter time.
We heat the studio with a woodstove, so it is not practical to start it up during the week on days we teach elsewhere.
With a small canvas, I can come home, cook and still have time to paint a canvas without having to go out into the studio.

We leave weekends to work in the studio on larger pieces, when we have time to devote hours to our work. We love our time in the studio: morning to morning, painting and spending time together sharing what we love to do most: make art!

I will soon post more photos of my mini canvas pieces and Sergio's earrings and necklaces....we both find there is a freedom and joy that we are ale to express in these new art modalities that inspire us for our larger and works that we are best known for.

We hope that you can come to visit us and see our new work in person on December 5: during our Annual Open Studio Holiday pARTy!!

Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos (altar)

Today is Dia de los Muertos...in much of South America, though it is celebrated tomorrow in Mexico.
Feliz dia to all our dearly departed!!

Here are photos of the altar we made for my papa, Luis Olivos, and Sergio's abuelo: Julian.

Altar and private moments

(image of skulls I decorated for our altar piece)
Today, we went to set up our public altar.
No photos yet, but I promise to have some here on Saturday evening (we rushed out and forgot the camera in the studio).

It feels funny to make our altar public.
I know it is done in the streets of Mexico...but I feel strange having my dad's photo, and Sergio's grand dad's photo there...in the middle of the huge gallery space.

The altar we have at home just sort of "became" all on its own. I found a cool old wooden paintbox, opened it up, and left it on the dresser. I placed some pretty shells in it and dried flowers. One day, I placed my dad's picture in it, along with several of my grandmother's old photos. My old childhood wooden cross also found it's place there along with an old perfume bottle.

Then, I met Sergio, and talking with him about altars I realized I already had one!
When he moved in, we put his grandfather's letter and book in the box.
One day, we decided to place candles for them on Christmas eve.
On and on.... the rituals grew.

But it is entirely different to take the very personal to a public space. Even as I write this, I feel compelled to go over to the gallery and take their photos down.
Perhaps when we go on Saturday... I may.

Altars and shrines are a way to pay tribute to those loved ones that have passed. An altar, whether public or private is a sacred place where ceremonies take place with respect for the deceased... but even as we set out a plate with cookies for our altar -believe it or not- a dog came to sniff at the plate (!).


below: photo of tiny skeletons I decorated with paper,

Visiting relatives, prejudice and finally: shinning the light!

Yesterday, we purchased plane tickets for Sergio's parents to visit us from Mexico for the winter holidays!
They have never been to the USA...and I wonder at their expectations.
They are concerned about the cold weather (they come from south Mexico where it normally hovers around 90 degrees year round and gets up to 115 in the summer), they also wonder about prejudice against foreigners.

When Sergio first arrived in the USA, he was surprised at the diversity of people to be found here. He delighted in not only trying foods from different countries, but also in meeting people from all across the globe.
His "idea" that he would encounter racism...was quickly challenged into the realization that it is a stereotype that is perpetuated via media.

We have had some run ins with prejudice based on our being Latinos (just yesterday in fact we had another :( --but these are few.

I can't wait to share it all with my in laws.
The local Asian markets where people speak little or no English, where we buy all sorts of "goodies" to bring home, the Indian and Middle Eastern sections of our town brimming with restaurants and markets... we will also take them deep into DC to try some "soul food" and into Chinatown as well.

We have so much to share with them..the beauty of our adopted country... and hopefully shinning the light on the good, rather than the negative (like found in today's headlines abut the ignorance of the New Mexico hotel owner that asked his employees to change their names to less "latino" sounding names).

Martin Luther King, Jr.:
I refuse to accept the idea that man is mere flotsam and jetsam in the river of life, unable to influence the unfolding events which surround him. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.