Saturday, November 7, 2009

CHAC Gallery Dia de los Muertos Show 2009

Hola!

Well as you all know October was a terrible month for us and slowly things are getting better and our hearts are healing.

Rob had to literally push me into getting pieces done in time for the Dia de los Muertos show at the gallery, not to mention we also rented a room at the gallery and have several upcoming shows. So, I thank him for being such a loving and supportive husband through these difficult times, he is the best!!!

The show at the gallery has been great, our skull silent auction is doing very well this year, which means we will have money for the children's art classes that the gallery has once a month. We had two high schools and two elementary schools participate in this years show and all of the students did a great job on their calaveras.

Last night was first Friday and the Denver art walk. Rob's prints and mini retablos did really well and many bracelets were bought as Christmas gifts, yay! Wait, that means I have to sit in my studio all day tomorrow playing with beads...




video

Friday, October 16, 2009

Raymond Isaac Acosta

Raymond Isaac Acosta
Raymond was born on December 2nd, 1981
to Linda Acosta and John Armijo in Denver, CO.
Born with a congenital heart defect, his parents were told that he had a 20% chance of making it through the night, but being the fighter he was, he made it through that first night.
Raymond lost his father John when he was five years old and he quickly became the little man of the house, he and his mother took care of one another.
He also made it through the next nine years before being told that he would need a new heart and he was placed on the heart transplant list. On Halloween night in 1991, a 12 year old girl died in San Francisco, her family selflessly gave her heart for donation and Raymond received that precious gift. He was the Ambassador for Children’s Hospital in 1991 and those that took care of him at the hospital called him “A fighter, courageous, delightful, thoughtful, and a charmer”!
Raymond’s body often struggled with this new heart and each time the doctors would give an even stronger anti-rejection medicine.
He was a fighter, he prevailed through each rejection with a thirst for life and each of his family members and friends rallied behind him.
He went through the challenging times of being a teenager and his mother often turned to his older siblings to come speak with him, give him advice, or even just give a good scolding to him.
Raymond’s life came to an abrupt end on October 11, 2009, but in all actuality a part of him died on January 23rd, 2002 when his mother passed away. She was the stabilizing force in his life and her death was the final blow for Ray. He survived without his mother for seven years, however much of that time was just existing for him. Ray maintained the same job for eight years. He also maintained relationships and had many friends. Let us all be grateful for the time spent with him.

Raymond was preceded in death by both of his parents Linda and John.

He is survived by his Grandfather Raymond Acosta, Grandmother Erma Acosta, Grandmother Alice Armijo.
His brothers; Michael and Domingo Armijo.
His sisters; Joann Armijo, Janine Sandoval, and Lauren Aguirre.
Aunt and Godmother Gloria Rico Duran and Uncle Rick Duran,
Godfather Pat Vigil, Godson Hector Herrera
Aunt Kat Alexis and Uncle Michael Gallegos,
Uncle John and Aunt Michelle Acosta.
Numerous other Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends.

The family of Raymond would like to thank you for your support, prayers, and condolences during this difficult time in our lives. May the Lord reward you for your kindness, grace, and mercy that you have shown us, in Jesus name, Amen.

A Heavy Heart...

Yes, my heart has been heavy all week. A very special member of our family, Raymond (my cousin/god brother) has gone home to be with the Lord. This past week has been a whirlwind of planning, running around, and today, well today it is finally reflection. Reflections of this young man as a baby, a young child, a teenager. All those memories hitting me at once. I know it is never easy for those that are left behind, I know time heals all pain and heartache. Raymond went through these same things I am describing when his mother (my aunt) passed away seven years ago, so I guess what I am trying to say is, how proud I was of Raymond, he went through many trials throughout his young life, and he did and gave his best. I am thankful that he had so many that loved and cared about him, but I know he is where he is supposed to be...and tonight we will say goodbye.

Vaya con Dios
Walk with the Lord

I will be posting his bio next so that his friends in different states may view

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Santos


Hola! Yes we are still here, we used the month of September to rest and get a head start on both the Dia de los Muertos show and stocking up on holiday pieces for when we rent our room at the gallery in November and December.


Rob has debuted his mini retablo collection in the Etsy store. They are priced perfectly to give as gifts for Christmas or if you just like Santos! I haven't put much on 1000markets since it's still pretty slow there. Anymore it seems that we do much better in the gallery than online. Art is such a personal thing and it always helps to see it in person.


I am working on pieces still, but I too find that sales are better offline. This is my busiest time of year and when I get commissioned the most. I've also been working on making polymer clay beads with religious icon images on them and that has been really fun. Sometimes you just never know what you're capable of until you just try! A new jewelry collection is right around the corner, I'll keep this updated often.


Fall came early to Denver, it has been very cool around here, but still beautiful!

Well off to catch up on my favorite blogs!


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Hola, how are you!


Well we are finally done with our shows for awhile, whew!! It has been a busy summer for us and although we have enjoyed meeting new people, clients, and friends, we couldn't be more happier for this new time of rest.


Rob won the Chili Verde award at the Chili Harvest festival this past weekend, the award is for BEST new artist in the festival, I am so happy for him and he appreciates it greatly! The festival was really great with the first days attendance hitting 1900 people, Sunday was a little cool so we didn't get as many people out that day, but all in all it was a huge success. Our lovely director from CHAC gallery did a most impressive job getting this all put together with the city of Lakewood and we are thankful for all her hard work!
We also took Michael and Nezzie (our niece and nephew) with us to the festival, they had a great time creating endless works of art at all the kids stations, and especially loved having their picture taken as Frida and Diego!

We have made new pieces and they are slowly getting listed in the Etsy shop,
Rob has some fantastic new paintings available too.

Until maƱana, buenas noches

Monday, August 24, 2009

Soul of the Southwest Collection


In a previous post I wrote about how much the Land of Enchantment moves me, how lucky I am to call both states of Colorado and New Mexico my homes. Colorado with it's majestic mountains and New Mexico with it's vibrantly colorful desert. New Mexico though, holds my abuelito's legacy and childhood and now present memories that keep me intrigued with the Southwest . I could write a book with all the stories my buelito told me and add my own too! New Mexico is spiritual, quiet, vast, a place where you could almost hear God speaking to you. It is a place we go to when we need to recharge and meditate, finding inspiration from nature, churches that have been there for what seems like forever, and of course familia.


This is why I have started the Soul of the Southwest collection, the pieces I have made thus far have received good comments and people that have bought them have really found something personal in them, something that touches their soul. So...I will continue to make them and hopefully start listing more of them on Etsy. We still have the Chili Harvest Festival this coming weekend and then a break for about a month, then it's the Dia de los Muertos group show at the gallery.
This newest piece is called A Rose Grows and can be found on Etsy until the weekend when I show at the Chili Harvest Festival.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Friday Night Art Show at Bonacquisti Wine Company

We had another art reception at the Bonacquisti wine company this past friday evening. We had lots of fun visiting with friends, family, and all the new people we met!

The lighting in there isn't the greatest but I gave it my best shot. I love how Rob set up the table with Sacred Heart and Virgen de Guadalupe art.

We both did really well both on the 1st and then this past Friday, so we are very happy!!
Rob is currently working on more paintings and I am working on my necklaces/bracelets for the Chili Harvest Festival at the end of August. We feel like summer has completely passed us by, it seems like just a short while ago it was May, where oh where has summer gone?!