What I wish for Christmas...

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I'm pretty sure this last weeks have been crazy organizing everything for dinner, christmas presents, etc.
Unfortunatelly Christmas has become a more strategic season for stores for selling stuff we usually don't need and we start to forget the real meaning of Christmas.
Jesus Christ was born and He was sent to spread the word of love and peace.
This day give love, give hugs and give something is really special for your love ones.

I wish for this Christmas that my family stay together, I wish that all this madness that the world is suffering stop, no more wars, no more hate.
I wish a world where no single kid suffer hunger, and for our little ones make them be conscious when they don't want to eat and waste a lot.
I wish that all this person that suffer a terrible illness find the peace and strenght in their souls.

I wish that all your dreams come true. Mine is starting to bloom.

Merry Christmas to you. I wish you freedom in your souls and hearts.

With Love

I'm a proud mom

Last week was the ceremony for the awards the kids received for different achivement.
I'm so proud because this time my little princess got one. The last ceremony she was sad because she didn't receive any award and she proposed to make the best and get one and she did it!!!
I feel so proud about her, she got the Authors award for good reading and spelling. Now she started to read and write everywhere.

Congrats my little girl!!!

My art featured!!

I feel so happy when this happen, every single and tiny step is just for me a big achivement. ..
I was featured in one of the Top 10 Crafts Blogs with my new painting "Catching the stars". Take a look

http://www.cuteable.com/

Catching the stars

The other day my 5 years old daughter told me about how cute and twinkle are the stars. She is always so curious about everything and asked me how they have their own light, I said they were God's candles he uses to guide us in our life.
How amazing could be to catch one and keep it close to you so your life could be lighted and guided in the correct way.
This inspired me to create this mixed media painting, I cute girl hunting in a dark night a big star!

Cotton stretched canvas 8 x 10.

Mixed media

NOW AVAILABLE ON MY ETSY STORE

Blessed Virgin Mary - Our Lady of Guadalupe

As a mexican,  I'm very devoted to our Lady of Guadalupe and this December 12 is her celebration.

The Blessed Virgin appeared at Tepeyac, Mexico, Saint Juan Diego on Tuesday, December 12 1915, just ten years after the conquest of Mexico. The mother of God comes to present the gospel to its native sons of the new continent and to "show and give" all his "love and compassion, help and protection, because I am your merciful mother."


As proof of his visit made the Virgin miraculously appeared in the place beautiful roses of Castile and her image will stay permanently in the cloak of his servant.

The Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego gave a careful treatment of the condition prophetically bringing nobility of all people . The Lord "down from their thrones and exalted the humble." Meanwhile, the Virgin brought reconciliation and not division among the natives and the Spanish. He helped them both to understand that Christian faith is not owned by anyone but a gift of love for everyone. The Virgin asked Juan Diego to go to the bishop. The Bishop of Mexico was Fray Juan de Zumarraga , a Franciscan. In this way the Virgin teaches that one must submit to the legitimate authority in the Church Jesus established.

Four years passed so the Western culture recognize that the printed image on indigenous ayate was a true Mexican codex, a message from heaven full of symbols. Helen Behrens, an American anthropologist discovered in 1945 what the eyes of the Indians had "read" the painting of the "Mother of the true God for whom we live" that December of 1531.

She is so important now in our culture, thousands of pilgrims visit the Basilic on this date, to thanks her all the miracles she made, to take care of us and for love us as the Great Mother she is. Her image for me is so innocent and pure and the real painting is still a complete mistery for scientists.

The first thing that catches the attention of textile experts is that ayate fabric on which is the image of the Virgin is maguey plant fiber. By its nature, this fiber is decomposed by putrefaction in twenty years or less. This has happened with several reproductions of the image that have been manufactured with the same tissue. However the image ayate has withstood over 470 years in perfect condition. For reasons incomprehensible to experts, the image ayate is refractory to moisture and dust.


The image of the Virgin of Guadalupe was 116 years exposed to the harsh environment, without protection against dust, moisture, heat, smoke from the candles and the continuous rubbing of thousands and thousands of objects that were touched to venerated image, as well as constant contact and kissing hands of countless pilgrims. All this without any frayed or faded his beautiful polychrome.

And the most amazing thing is the enigma of her eyes. Although its dimensions are microscopic, the iris and the pupils of the eyes of the image are printed at least highly detailed image of thirteen characters. The same people are present in the left eye or right, with different proportions, as is the case in the eyes of a human being that reflects the objects you have in front.


The reflection transmitted through the eyes of the Virgin of Guadalupe is the scene in which Juan Diego showed the Bishop Fray Juan de Zumarraga and stay present in the mantle with the mysterious image. It was the December 9, 1931.

According to the findings of the study, revealed by a Zenit Tonsmann Aste, during a visit to Rome in early January, we face an image "that has not been painted with human hands."

g the canvas is another mystery. The Ger a Nobel laureate in chemistry, has studied this painting, and his response stunned the audience: "These colors are neither mineral, or vegetable or animal." They could not explain the origin of the pigments that give the image color or the way in which this was painted. 

CYBER Monday SALE -- 30% off everything

If you missed my big SALE on Black Friday, don't worry you still can shop with great discounts.
Now till Monday 29th, 30% off ENTIRE STORE with promo code: CYBERMONDAY10.

Don't miss it this time!!!

http://www.mexicancolors.net/

BLACK FRIDAY SALE -- 50% Off ENTIRE STORE

Don't Miss it.

www.mexicancolors.net/store

Time to give Thanks

This year a have many reasons to be thankful.
First because God gave me a beautiful family and they are so healthy and lovely.
Second because I still have my parents alive.
To have wonderful friends that are a very important in my life
To have my fans and readers following my artwork, supporting my dream.
To have a supportive husband that with love encourage me to keep trying and never give up.
To all the artist that help me to create a great community and interesting blog posts.

For all of you,

A Christmas present

I love Christmas!!!
Is the season when all the family members gather around the table and have a delicious dinner. I remember the Christmas I spent when I was a kid, the smell of the turkey my grandma had in the oven, or the tasty pasta my mom was preparing.
Me playing with my cousins and the gifts we opened with such enthusiasm and excitement.

Now I tried that my girls have a special Christmas so they have good memories about it.

My new painting reflect that innocence of the my little girls, the excitment of giving and sharing.
Enjoy this Christmas Present

Friday Spotlight: Monjojo

Uff!!! This has been a busy week a lot of Holiday boutiques I've attended with soCuties and working in comission artworks. This season is really good for all sellers but also implicates a lot of work and time.

This Friday I have an interview of a brazilian artist: Monjojo

She is a graphic designer from Sao Paulo Brazil. Her art is gorgeous and unique.
Enjoy it!!!

Name: Andreia M.

Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil

website: http://www.monjojo.etsy.com/

http://www.monjojo.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jojoblogam

1. Tell us about your crafts and how you came to make them

I started making journals to myself, since I never really found one I like where I live (Brazil). Later I started to make drawings for my journals and that was just a step away for making illustrations as well.

2. What do you enjoy most of being an artist?

I can control my schedule (not sure if that is good, I'm little disorganized) and to create things.

3. How did you get started selling and How long have you been crafting?


I've started as a hobby, and it was a natural path to sell on etsy. I've been on the craft world since I was little, I've always enjoyed doing crafts with grandma and aunts.

4. What does selling on Etsy mean for you?

It means to be on a great shopping window to everyone. I reach people I could never reach being only in Brazil.

5. Which is your favorite color and which colors do you use most in your work?

I like blue. In my work I use a lot of pastel colors.

6. How you promote your work?

I'm not really good at this...just try to renew a couple of times a day.

7. Can you share your #1 tip for success?

Be persistent. Sometimes it takes long time to show that your hard work actually worth it.

8. List 5 of your favorites blogs or etsy stores

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/


http://decor8blog.com/

http://www.superziper.com/

http://www.inhabitat.com/

http://www.ohsojolly.com/

FREE shipping: Friday November 19

Only 1 day free shipping in all orders, only USA territory and Canada.
Offer ends: Friday November 19 11:59pm.

The amount of shipping will be refunded through Paypal.

My treasury in the Front Page of Etsy!!!

I really work hard letting all know about my shop, if you are also an etsy seller you know what I'm talking about and finally one of my treasuries was on the Front Page of Etsy.
That is something I need to post because I'm so happy about it.

GIVEAWAY winner (Magical cube of Frida Kahlo's paintings)

Thanks so much for enter in this Giveaway.
I enter the 15 coments made on Random.org and the winner is: Lubasa.
Please email me your mailing address to : mexicancolors@gmail.com so I can send it to you.

If I don't have any response by Monday 15th I will choose another winner

As Lubasa didn't answer to this post I got a new winner and is: Efi Warsh
Please email me with your mailing address.

Pre-Black Friday SALE: Friday November 12th - 15% off in EVERYTHING on my store

As Black Friday is coming I want to offer different discounts and promotions in the next 2 weeks.
For this Friday November 12 and Saturday November 13, I will have my Entire store with 15% off

The offer is valid for every single item in my store.
The offer expires November 13th at 11:59 pm.

For those lovers of Mexican Folk art : my GIVEAWAY is for you

Hi everyone,
   This month is very busy for me and full of great things.
   My family is coming from Mexico and will spend 2 weeks with us and celebrate together Thanksgiving, so I'm really excited.

  I know that many of you love Mexican culture and specially admire Frida Kahlo's art, so I'm giving away this great "magical cube" with 9 famous paintings of her.

Just follow this simple rules and you can be the winner of this magical cube:

1. Visit my store and pic your favorite item. Please post a comment here with the link.

2. Facebook or tweet my giveaway. Please post a comment here with the link.

Offer expires November 12 @ 11:59 pm. I will post the winner on Saturday November 13.
 
Also I will have PRE- Black Friday Sales during the next 2 weeks so keep in touch for more details.

Friday Spotlight: Dudadaze

It is an honor for me to feature a such amazing artist today. I can say she is one of my favorite one and also a role model and a inspiration for all new artists as me.
It has been difficult to have a positive response of all artist I ask for an interview so when they say yes, it makes me feel happy and enthusiastic. I know that running a business by your own implicate a lot of effort and time, so giving me that opportunity is so nice and I have only to be grateful with them.

Today's spotlight: DUDADAZE.

Name: Diane Duda

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

websites: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DUDADAZE

http://www.fiddlesticksdallas.com/diane_duda_collection_for_demdaco_at_fiddlesticks.htm

http://dudadaze.blogspot.com/

http://www.funkykits.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=47_69

http://www.facebook.com/#!/DudaDaze



1. Tell us about your crafts and how you came to make them.


I wish I could say that I'm one of those people who has been drawing since I was old enough to pick up a pencil, but that's not the case.
The truth is I did not realize I had any artistic talents until about five years ago. And even then I'm not sure if I had any natural abilities. It took many bad doodles before I was confident enough to share my "silly little works of art."

There were two things that I can say really inspired me to do this. The first was Mary Englebreit's Home Companion magazine. I loved seeing not only her work, but also the work of all of the artists she showcased in her magazine.

Not long after that I discovered the wonderful world of art blogs, and decided "I think I'll be an artist!." :)
So I began with simple colored pencil drawings and have now moved on to mostly acrylic paintings on canvas and wood with touches of collage.

2. What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

Oh everything, really. I guess mostly it would be seeing an idea come to life on the canvas. Sometimes it turns out just as I imagined. Sometimes not as good. Sometimes better.
I also like being my own boss and working in my jammies. :)

3. How did you get started selling and How long have you been crafting?

In March of 2006 I started my blog so that I could participate in Illustration Friday. I thought it would be a good way to improve by challenging myself to create an original piece for each week's word prompt. After getting some encouraging feedback, I decided to take the next step and try selling on ebay. It took a little while, but I started to build a small following and went ahead and opened my Etsy shop in November of 2006.

4. What does selling on Etsy mean to you?

I probably would have given this whole thing up long ago if it weren't for Etsy. I'm a very shy person so I don't think I'd be out doing shows and such to sell my art. Online is really the only way to go for me. It enabled me to build a whole business from the comfort of my little old house by allowing me to share my art with people from all over the world.

5. Which is your favorite color and which colors do you use most in your work?

Oh I could never pick a favorite. I love them all! Which does become problematic when decorating my home. It's so hard to commit to just one color scheme when they are all so wonderful. I guess I have been better at settling on a soft color palette in my artwork though... mostly soft

6. How do you promote your work?

I mainly promote my work through my blog. I also share everything I create on Facebook and Flickr, and, if I remember, on Twitter.

7. Can you share your #1 tip for success?

Stay true to your style while still trying new things. And also be everywhere. As I mentioned above, an online presence is so important when it comes to building your business. Creating unique, original work is important, but no less important is making people aware that it exists.

8. How do you balance your life between managing your creative business and your work as a mom?

My kids are older, 18, 17, and 14, but it doesn't seem to make it any easier. Finding the time to sit down and paint can be difficult. There is always the cleaning, and laundry and running around to do. Not to mention all of the printing and packaging and listing of items involved in running an online store all by yourself.
There is a lot of multitasking involved. For instance, I'm filling a large print order as I answer these questions.
It's usually not until after dinner that I can actually find time to sit down and create something new.
But even with all that's involved in being a mom and an Etsy artist, there is nothing that I'd rather be doing.

Day of the death celebration

Origins

The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous cultures. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2,500–3,000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.


The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for an entire month. The festivities were dedicated to the god known as the "Lady of the Dead", corresponding to the modern Catrina.

In most regions of Mexico, November 1 honors children and infants, whereas deceased adults are honored on November 2. This is indicated by generally referring to November 1 mainly as Día de los Inocentes ("Day of the Innocents") but also as Día de los Angelitos ("Day of the Little Angels") and November 2 as Día de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos ("Day of the Dead").

My celebration
 
Is fun to celebrate Halloween, my little girls just disguise perfect, I had a cute and tiny ladybug running around and a pretty little mermaid.
But also is important to teach them our culture and to keep traditions that last for generation. This day should be celebrated because it is a way of remembering who we are and where we have come to worship those that no longer exist physically and worship the memory of what they were. It is also a date that makes us reflect on the cultural richness of Mexico, since each region has its own perception of death and a very characteristic way of celebrating the holiday.


The best way to celebrate this day is simply to remind all those who have died and missed both. It is a sad day, however, have to be happy, because beliefs say that this day come and visit the souls of the dead to live with us, so it is necessary to prepare the place, put water and all those things that they enjoyed in life, in an offering or altar. This year I didn't want to put a photo of them, it is so painful to remember that they are not anymore with us, so I only decorated with authentic sugar skulls, papel picado, funny catrinas and catrines, water and pretend food.
 
Now inmerse in this photos of the celebration my fellow citizens made this day.
 

Friday Spotlight: Juliette Crane

Hi everyone,
   I hope you are enjoying this week and I'm pretty sure you are busy preparing everything for this coming halloween.
  I'm so happy because today I'll interview Julliette Crane, a great artist. I love all her unique paintings but specially her owls. All her work is full of magical touch and a special  creativity.
So enjoy it!!!

Name: Juliette Crane

Location: Madison,  WI

websites: http://juliettecrane.com

blog: http://juliettecrane.blogspot.com

etsy shop: http://juliettecrane.etsy.com

twitter: http://twitter.com/juliettecrane

facebook: http://facebook.com/juliettetcrane

Tell us about your crafts and how you came to make them

I’m a Mixed Media Painter and I just love anything full of imagination and color!

My sister-in-law gave me some vintage wallpaper books last summer (2009), and I fell in love with the patterns and colors! I knew I had to use the beautiful paper for something, and it totally sparked this thing in me to go back to doing what I loved as a kid—designing and cutting out outfits for paper dolls. I just wanted to have fun with art again.

Now I paint mostly on small blocks of wood or 10x10 inch canvases, using acrylics, glitter, pastels, ink, pencil, and paper-usually book pages, origami paper, wallpaper, or sheet music.

What do you enjoy most of being an artist?

I love painting in my backyard and just making a mess of everything. All of my clothes are covered in paint and it’s always under my nails and all over everything. It’s just so fun to take all of these art supplies and create something that resembles what I’m feeling. I also love that I’ve met so many wonderful people through exhibiting my artwork and am really hoping to teach sometime in the future.

How did you get started selling and How long have you been crafting?

I've always been crafting something, trying to find my niche, whether it was with clothes, writing, painting, furniture, floral design, whatever. But painting was the thing i thought i would never have a chance with professionally, so I stopped painting after college.

I opened my etsy shop after someone said i should sell these feather hair clips i was making. First, I posted the feathers and some beaded earrings, but I didn’t sell very much because I never promoted my shop. Then when I started painting again last Fall, friends started seeing my paintings and finally convinced me to exhibit them, which gave me the confidence to post them on etsy too. That’s when I got serious about making it a creative business.

 What does selling on Etsy mean for you?

Selling on etsy is a great way to get noticed by people that normally wouldn’t find my artwork on facebook or through my blog.

Which is your favorite color and which colors do you use most in your work?

My work is really colorful, so I go through a lot of paints. But most, I find myself using my favorites-primary colors-red, blue and yellow.

How you promote your work?

I run my blog and post 3-4 times a week, post on Facebook and Twitter, and am always involved in local art shows. Then I also talk about what I do to everyone I know and everyone I meet. I’m always handing out business cards.

Can you share your #1 tip for success?

From a business point of view, promoting what you do is so important. People can’t love and support your work unless they know what you do and where to find your work.

List 5 of your favorites blogs or etsy stores

http://www.etsy.com/shop/timssally
http://www.mistymawn.typepad.com/
http://alabamachanin.com/journal/
http://colormekatie.blogspot.com/
http://www.coridantinimakes.blogspot.com/

Thanks Juliette for sharing!

Wednesday Mexican Colors updates: Touch of an angel

Turning my back to the world down below,for infinite heavens I go.
Flying high with freedom in my soul.The Angel and I,all alone in the sky,
my spirit is leaving tonight.All I leave behind's my mortal shell.

Take me to the sky. Wings of freedom take me to the home of Angels,realm of heaven.
Teach me how to fly,let me feel the touch of an Angels hand.
Take me far away.Wings of freedom take me to where souls of Gods,and men will gather.
Help me to escape,let me feel the touch of an Angel.
I am learning to fly.

Touch of an angel by mexicancolors

Halloween sale SO SPOOKY!!!

From today October 24 until Ocotber 31 ALL my prints are $10 (orig. $12) and original paintings 10% off with Halloween theme, so you can decorate with this great art works your walls.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mexicancolors?section_id=7139005