My mother kept every little scrap of paper I ever drew on. I found this gem the other day while rummaging through the pages of one of her many Bibles. Apparently when I was three years old I dictated a card to her. From the looks of the handwriting, I dictated it to her directly and she wrote it, lol. Randomly finding things like this makes me happy. Little hellos from the other side :)
Jerusalem Rosary | Image Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
(Momma. Years can pass, but my right hand will never forget the lines of your face.
Love you always, Meli)
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On May 9th, 2010 my Mother, Sonia lost a 4 1/2 year battle with Ovarian Cancer. It was eight days after the birth of my son (her first Grandchild), but even more sadly, it was Mother’s Day.
Now, I could get into how devastating this all was, but I won’t. The fact of the matter is, at some point, life is going to deal you a rough hand, and you’ll have to decide on spot how you’re going to handle it. Are you going give up and fold? Or are you going to flip that miserable situation the bird and fight your way through? I don’t know about you, but I’m always up for a good psychological fight.
I had to make peace with my mother’s passing very early on. I had a newborn to take care of, and I couldn’t just press the pause button on life to go run off and be a mental case. Umm, No. My world doesn’t work that way. I focused my attention where it needed to be, and whenever there was a free moment, I did a little artwork. A little goes a long way after a while. A “little” can heal a mind/heart without you even realizing it. I’m proud of the little’s I’ve done. They were meaningful, and they kept my mind busy during those times that minds could very easily have wandered.
Thank you wood. Thank you hands (for finally working properly). Thank you momma for always sending me hello birds. Thank you background music. Thank you La Sirene from above, and the one from Brooklyn.
December, 2010
This past december, I jumped (literally) at the incredible opportunity to revisit an old love with a remarkable musician. We sat in her musical quarters, she sang me a song (in spanish no less), and patiently taught me how to play it.
-Ever have one of those moments where everything is alright in the world? Well that’s what happened-
In the hour or so we strummed along, and shot the shit, I realized something. Other than the the birth of my son back in May, this was probably one of the only other amazing (tho random as all hell) experiences that came out of this entire year. Yep.
While driving home from my schooling, I felt the little surges in my finger tips again. I was inspired. Yes! I haven’t been really inspired in soooo long - it was refreshing. The joy of music was back in my heart, and my brain was on overdrive planning out future paintings/carvings/projects. But, most importantly, I finally felt ready enough to work on the tribute to my mother. I want to tell her story, our story. Art is the only way I really know how.
Every human connection/meeting has it’s purpose. Keep your heart/eyes wide open and try to realize a valuable experience when you’re faced with one. It would be a shame to let it slip by without having given it proper attention. Who knew a trip to brooklyn on a winter afternoon would clear my vision, and allow the fog to lift from my creative path? A truth - some of the saddest of anniversary days are upon us. The threat of empty eyes, and the fading in and out of conversations is pretty imminent - but, to quote a very wise lady, ” I know there’s a sunrise on the other side, to pull me through.”
The sunrise is art. The sunrise is my son’s smile. The sunrise greets me every morning with a hot cup of coffee to start my day. Everyday a sunrise, everyday a chance to make an ordinary day worthwhile.
Do I believe that lyric? - Yes, whole heartedly. Thank you again, Jolie :) ~m.
Here’s the pile of woods I’m currently working on. Yay to productivity, people!
A snippit of this mornings bird progress.
World Cancer Day
It’s World Cancer Day. Take a moment to remember lost loved ones. OR if you know someone who is currently kicking the shit out of Cancer’s ASS, give em’ a high five & buy them a beer - they deserve it :)
RIP Momma. I think about you every moment of everyday. #ovariancancer
I began painting yesterday, and the progress I made was pretty bad. I’ve gotten so rusty in the past year - but I have good reason dammit! Anyways, I sanded down my mistakes (sulked) and slept on it. This morning, I redrew my image, took a deep breath and got back at it. And I must say, it’s not too shabby!
A little something I’m working on right now. The knots on this wood are pretty righteous, don’t ya think? Too bad they’re gonna get covered up.
For my mother, on what would have been her 61st Birthday. I love you soo much and miss you terribly everyday. My heart, your heart. Always.
“…don’t they know it’s the end of the world, it ended when you said goodbye.”
Try to relax. How am I supposed to relax? Think about the happy times…
Bleeding Hearts Series | In progress | Images Copyright © 2010 ♥Ineffable3
Here are a few progress shots of my contribution to Process’s FRIENDS + FAMILY Group Art Show. These 2 pieces have gone through quite the transformation in the past few days. Infact I feel like I’ve gone through quite the transformation as well :/
Home is where the heart is, and we’ve had to relocate.
Sonia & Casey Dancing // by Isaac Rios // Image Copyright 1975 Isaac Rios
My first visual experiences with art were via my Tio, Isaac. As a child, my goal for adulthood was to be as good as he was. The man was incredibly talented, and was able to capture moments the way moments were meant to be captured. I wasn’t alive in 1975, I wasn’t even a blip of a thought, but having this piece brings me there. It gives me a memory; stored not in my mind, but my heart, of my parents enjoying life together in those free and happy days.
