Week 8: Carmen Lomas Garza

     Carmen Lomas Garza unites the audience with her Mexican-American culture. She illustrates themes revolving around family, community, and much more. One picture in Constance Lopez’s book on Ms. Garza that I found really amusing, is las paleoneras. I just went through El Rio today (the one located in Ventura County), so seeing the name of this city glowing boldly in green made me chuckle. Seeing women fighting late at night would not be a surprise there either.

      In the scene that Garza created, we see two women aggressively fighting each other in front of a venue that has features of a bar; there are two hands having a cheers in the left window, while a man playing a trumpet signifies a band playing in the right window. There is a woman on the far left in pure shock at the quarrel going on. I’m not sure what that black animal is (a small dog, I’m guessing)? Also, there is a lady on the sidelines about to get involved; the motioning of her hands resembles a worried aura to me, like if the fight is appearing to be a bit excessive. In contrast, the lady on the right side of the two fighting women, is preventing a man from attempting to breakup the fight. The women themselves are ripping either clothing off or hair out. The many reactions just make the scene realistic and is very unique from the rest of Garza’s paintings.  

     Her being a visual arts educator only adds to her passionate connection with art and youth. It is important to integrate such a lesson/course in order to have younger generations express themselves. Garza's upbringing and support is what she also wants for kids; for them to be able to look beyond the classroom, to stretch their horizons.