Welcome

I made this video to show the evolution of the painting entitled, “Ixchel, Goddess of Healing (36" x 48").” Ixchel, (pronounced “E-shell,”), is a Mayan Goddess of the Moon, of Love, and many other things. She is the Mother of all of the Mayan deities and rules over the cycles of life and death. I like painting her because I have roots in the area where she is worshipped. (My father was born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala and moved to the U.S. when he was a boy.) Ixchel had many responsibilities, love being what I was reaching for with this painting. I felt like an open wound over the toxicity from the last presidency, with all the hatred being nurtured and grown within this country. I needed to paint something healing so I called on Ixchel for help. 

I think the rise of the BLM movement was the most important event that came out of those four years. And I consider Latinx, Asian Americans, Muslim Americans, Jewish Americans and all people of color to be included in the natIonal reckoning  currently underway. There's a lot of room for improvement, specifically with the brutality of the George Floyd murder. But then something happened for the first time; a conviction for the killer, Derek Chauvin. Finally, it felt like a turning point for race in this country. The fight for equity doesn't end with one conviction but it's a start, one I wasn't sure I'd ever see. And I find it very hopeful.

        I was a little intimidated to use the great Sam Cooke's legendary song, "A Change is Gonna Come" but it felt so current to the social justice battle being fought today, I ended up using it and I hope that's okay. It's more of a tribute, intended to show gratitude, respect, and admiration to the man.