Pablo Luna, Artist

The last time I typed on this blog I told you about a muralist, Pablo Luna. Sadly, he got really sick and passed way too young. There were fundraisers but I was out of town. It makes me so sad for his family and friends. I don't know if any of his artwork is available, but I do know his murals are still out there. RIP Pablo Luna aka "Kaper

Another muralist

Meet Pablo, "Kaper".  Him and I crossed paths about 30 years ago.  He was an artist who loved to paint "tag" walls and one on occassion he tagged a wall that he didn't have permission to paint on and which lead to meeting me.  I loved his artist talent and he has some community service hours he needed to do so I got permission to have him paint a mural on my office wall.  It was beautiful, bright colors and the word PEACE.  I loved the mural and I can't believe I don't have a photo of it.  A number of coworkers thought it was a negtive message encouraging a "tagger" to paint.  Well fast forward 30 years and I came across  his instagram.  He is a fabulous muralist and artist.  I had the pleasure to met up with him.  Actually, I surprised him and he did remember me.  On this particular day he was painting a mural at the Barrio Cafe, downtown Phoenix.  It makes my soul happy to wittness the success story of Pablo the artist!

 

Murals

I have never painted anything on this large of scale, but boy are these artist amazing.  First one was painted by my friend  Emily, she is so talented.  After we stopped at her mural we stopped in her studio/shop Mucho Mas in downtown Phoenix.  The kids and my sister got to meet her.  She was so generous with her time and has the best loving energy.

This is a mural painted by my friend Emily Costello (Instagram @emcostelloart) in Phoenix.  

Another large wall mural painted by Emily Costello, Mucho Mas Studio Phoenix.

Mural of Chef Silvana Salcio Esparza by Lucretia Torva.   @torvasm
 I love the strength this mural represents and the "Si, Se Puede" tattoo!  Chef Silvana is one of my favorite people.  I don't know her personally but I have met her,  I donated masks to her cause she was feeding so many people during the covid shutdown.  

My sister showing her angel wings.  Grant, Nebraska   @popperposies

A storage shed in Winslow, Arizona.

 

Our dogs

This Bella girl, she is 11 yrs old in this photo.  Sadly, she also has cancer and she cross the rainbow bridge in June.  She was such a good girl, very loyal and gentle.  I miss her.

Then there's this little guy!   Meet our lab, MOON Badru (Egyptian for born on the full moon).  He was born on a full moon night.  We wanted a puppy for some time and our luck at finding one never panned out.  However, we were traveling and I thought to look for a puppy in some the areas we would be.  Just my luck I found Moon in Nebraska.  He is the cutest thing.

MOON is still a puppy but he's sure not small anymore.

This is MOON at 10 months old. 

 He has been the best puppy.  He trained so easy.  Not distructive, loves his toys, loves to fetch, loves to swim and a great traveler.   

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It wasn't all about the green today.   Today, me, my husband, my 85 yr old mom, my older sister, my youngest brother all got shots. 

 Our luck was good today!

I hope if you have the opportunity to get the vaccine please do for yourself and all those around you and in your community.

 

2020 Christmas card

This year's card was fun to make.  I found the Santa cutouts at a local craft store awhile back and knew I was going to use them on the cards.  I collected coordinated ephemera from my stash, labels, postage stamps, and rubber stamps.  I printed calendars on greenish paint masking paper.  

I scanned a vintage ornament box into the commuter and

 used it to frame a photo of my new puppy, MOON.

 

Card making around here

I need greeting cards and I rarely buy them.  I make them.  Here's today's cards.  Started with white card stock, glued down a vintage dictionary page then washed them with a soft pink matte paint.   Punched one inch circles from a variety of scrapbook paper to use as the flower pedals.  The leaves are cut from vintage wallpaper.  I'll make the original cards but also scan them and reuse them over and over by adding my own  sayings like "hello"  "thank you"  either using a cool calligraphy pen or printed words.

 

Guitar love

Probably ten years ago is when I first bought this guitar.  Yep, ten years!   I purchased it from a friend who plays very well.  I asked if she would give me lessons and she agreed, however for some reason I really don't recall, after one lesson I didn't go back.  I think we had schedule problems.  Then several years ago, another friend was visiting and he plays so we got the guitars out and he restrung and gave me a quick few tips.  Fast forward to now.... another friend asked for one of the guitars.  See I originally purchase one and borrowed a second one for my nephew.  Again, neither one of us have ever learned.  Back to present time...

I decided to have this guitar tuned and fixed.   Apparently, the low desert humidity is not good for guitars.  I got it back a few weeks ago.  I need to muster, is that word?  the confidence to learn.  I really would like to learn.

Paintings

I needed something to do.  Found a pile of  5"x7" canvas panels and so got my paints out. Found some paper scraps and the glue stick.

It's all in the details!

Why one painting when you can do nine!

Decided on painting assembly line style!   This actually was kinda fun.  I plan to paint Latina inspired angel girls on each panel and then I will continue to embellish them.

Salsa

Made mango strawberry salsa today.  I had only one mango so I added strawberries.  Pass the chips, please!

A quick snack

Made these...yummie!  We've been craving s'mores.  However, it's so hot no time for a fire pit and last camping trip in the forest, no open fires allowed!  A friend posted this recipe and I tried it out!  I had all the ingredients leftover from our camping trip.   The recipe is easy.  One tip is to keep a close eye when you have them under the broiler!  They brown quick.

Here's the recipe....  It's from the website kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com

S'mores Cookie Cups

With these S'mores Cookie Cups, you can enjoy the flavor of s'mores any time! Buttery graham cracker cups filled with toasted marshmallow and topped with Hershey's Chocolate Bar, everyone will be asking for s'more!

Course Dessert 

Cuisine American 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Servings 24 cookie cups

Author Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely crush graham cracker crumbs (about 7 whole graham crackers)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 12 marshmallows (regular size, not mini marshmallows)
• 2 full size Hershey's Chocolate Bars, unwrapped and divided into 24 pieces

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and melted butter.
3. Grease a 24 cup mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop the graham cracker crust mixture into the 24 cups. Gently press the crumbs into the bottom of each cup and up the sides to form little cups.
4. Bake the mini graham cracker crusts at 350F for 4 minutes until golden brown.
5. Cut each marshmallow in half to make 24 round marshmallows. Place one marshmallow in each graham cracker cup, cut side of the marshmallow facing down.
6. Set the oven to broil. Place the pan of s'mores in the oven under the broiler and broil for 1-2 minutes, just until the marshmallows are soft and beginning to look toasted. Note: the marshmallows can burn fast, so watch them very closely.
7. Top each marshmallow with one piece of the Hershey's Chocolate Bar. Allow the s'mores to cool for 15 minutes, then use a butter knife to lift them from the pan.

Sewing masks!

Searched internet to get a pattern and ideas of what supplies I could use.  Whoola! found what I needed  There's so many good DIY videos.  Thanks to all the contributors.

I found my black elastic cord I use with my bullet journal inserts.  There were so many ideas on what to use for the metal piece around the nose.  I found these file thingies and they will work perfectly!

The pieces are double layered with a slip area for the metal pieces.  There's also a pocket to insert a filter.   Add cords and tie off.  I left the ties knots out so they can be fitted.  Sewing through the thick layers once you put the folds in was challenging, but overall I find sewing relaxing.

Sent these home to all my family members.  I'm working on 30 more today to give out to friends.  I'm using a much simpler pattern idea so I can make my elastic cord go further.  Using 7" per side as opposed to 10".   They won't have the metal nose piece nor the pocket for a filter.

Shelter in Place

Week 1 - Time to clear the calendar

No social events, no meeting ups, no lunches, no outings, nada, nothing! For now car rides with Bella, walks in the park with Bella, back yard throwing the ball for Bella, video chats with anyone who will answer, online class, online youtube videos of my new interest...Mr Harry Styles!!!   His music is blasting most days now.  Studio time always a blast....painting, jewelry, Harry Styles videos going on in the studio!   Binge watching everything.  Audio books, real books, picture books, and journal time all on tap. 

We all need to do our part in getting through this COVID-19 crisis.  Today made a point to check in on friends and all seem to be doing good.  Husband still going into his office and even though their company has implemented some changs, I don't think it's been enough.  In the meantime, stay safe and do your part!

St. Patrick's Day!

It's also voting day!

"Shelter In Place"

Shelter in place = Studio time!

I started working on two art pieces.  I haven't painted in awhile and it feels good!  They're far from done and that's the fun part of doing these pieces!  Gotta add more paint, more texture, some glitter, lots of glitter, words, detail outlining and finishing touches.  The details of the face will be my biggest challenge I think.  I hope you use this time to get creative and feed your soul with positivity.