Madrid, Natalie (Week 10)

Over time, in this course I have learned about some amazing artist as well as some really interesting concepts. This class has been really beneficial to me when it comes to being able to engage and learn about talented Chicana artists. I have enjoyed every segment of our class as we"ve discussed these individuals and their personal backgrounds as well as creative outlets. I find it specifically interesting how our professor mentioned mediums and how that is essentially what the artist is using to create art. It's interesting how this concept tells us the artists process and the type of painting or artwork that they are attempting to achieve as they use these mediums. An example of an medium would be like acrylic paint, oil paint, charcoal, even colored pencils. I personally have never been knowledgeable of art so I have never really put thought into the difference that an artists medium can make in their art. 

I also really liked learning about Xandra Ibarra because I feel that her art is so different from what you normally see when it comes to censorship. Her artwork in my opinion, is breathtaking but also blunt and sends clear messages for interpretation. My favorite piece of her work was "Free to Those Who Deserve It" because it portrays a mans penis in a compromising matter with nails and pins in it. I feel like that sends a message of liberation to women or anyone that has been forced to deal with the reality of being in a "mans" world where you are expected to oblige. 

Madrid, Natalie (Week 8)

 Out of all the performances last week, it was really hard to settle and choose one of them - because all of them were so great. However, the artist that I really resonated with was Brenda Barrios. I really connected with the three pieces of artwork that were used during the presentation. Specifically, I really felt a personal connection the the piece with the farmers working. I felt this because the fire that was in the background signified the dangers that are endured when working for America. My father specifically endured this during the pandemic because he is an immigrant and took any work he could find. It didn't matter if that was risking his health, or even ours - all that mattered to my dad was that he was able to provide food and shelter for his family. He specifically had started working at the lettuce farms to ensure that he had steady work (and he was not making that much either) he also had a couple of hard labour jobs. However, I felt that this piece of art was a reminder that people of color are treated wrongly. Expected to support our country while still being unwelcome and making less than they deserve.

Brenda Barrios is an amazing artist for shedding light on people of color, specifically immigrants that are forced to be treated as if they aren't even human. I feel as though that is ignored alot, but when artist dress it their audience also become aware. In this way, Brenda Barrios is helping to spread knowledge about the struggles that immigrants are forced to endure just because they were born somewhere other than America. She is a reminder that it is important that we all do our part in making the world more livable for everyone involved (not just the dominant race)

Madrid, Natalie (Week 6)

  Xandra Ibarra's art is amazing, I find it kind of refreshing if anything because it is so real. The artwork I was most attracted to was "Free to Those Who Deserve It". The reason that I chose this was because I love how straight out and unafraid it is. In this artwork, Ibarra displays an penis that has nails and pins all over it in a rather painful looking way. I feel like most artist would see this as taboo or too "blunt" for art but I love it because the way that it can be interpreted. This can connect to people who have endured an sexual abuse and need this to feel liberated. Just as it can connect to a woman that feels as though men have sexually objectified them or made everything about them wanting sex. This artwork is liberating because for once it puts an penis locked up as if others are the ones in control (and possibly weren't before. My question that I would like to ask is what was her mind frame as she made this piece of art? but also what was the biggest critique that she received for it?  I know that art tends to have a passionate response when the audience feels connected. This is a literal body part filled with nails and such that look painful, I guess I am curious to how men specifically would respond to seeing this? and on the opposite side, how women responded? were they at a difference with one another.

https://www.xandraibarra.com/free-to-those-who-deserve-it/

Madrid, Natalie (Week 5 - Carmen Lomas Garza)

 The Carmen Lomas Garza image that I chose to write about is Tamalada,  created by Carmen Lomas Garza. I love this painting because it reminds me of my childhood. My family has always come together when it comes to making tamales for Christmas. My family was not very close but this was the one thing that we would do for our tamales. My grandmother would spend all day doing the chili while she would have my aunts and uncles spread the masa. The one thing that she would never do though was give away her recipe or let the other family members add the black olive. She had a very specific rule about only two olives per tamale and made it her job to ensure that. Years when family members would miss tamale making would be when there were rifts or arguments in my family that caused them to not want to be a part of the process. Usually though, if they didn’t come my grandmother would threaten to not give them their share of all the tamales or to give them the ones that weren’t as good since they didn’t earn it. I love this painting because it shows the way families engages with each other for this process. Tamale making is not something that is done on your own or in silence. It’s a moment for bonding and creating tasty food together while enjoying the company of your family despite the drama or chaos that might exist within.

Madrid, Natalie Week 5

 Wikipedia: Katie Ruiz 

Katie Ruiz (born 1984) ) is a sculpture and finger painter that uses several mediums such as acrylic, varnish, oil pastel, oil paint, and more. She  is known for her series known as the “blanket series” which shows individuals, specifically couples and how they interact with blankets. She specifically connects her art work to the term “blankets” which is an contemporary art term that signifies the themes and symbols found in blankets. 

Biography (or Early Life and Education)

Katie Ruiz was born in Los Angeles, California and is now residing in San Diego, California.  She was raised by her mither and grandmother, she also later on spent some time with her uncle. Mrs. Ruiz received her bachelors at the Northern Arizona University and also pursued a master's degree from the New York Studio school in 2015. After this, she has pursued artwork in a variety of ways and now also teaches art at the New York Studio School and Athenaeum School.  During the pandemic, she pursued art in a different way and used her space at home to create. 

Art  (or Notable Works or Selected Works. Also Exhibitions, Projects, Collections)

• “Waves of Feminism”, The Women’s Museum - San Diego

• “The PomPom Project” Oceanside Museum of Art - CA

• “New Works” Kindred Journeys - Oceanside

References

• https://www.katieruizart.com/about

• https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/visual-arts/story/2021-01-31/meet-katie-ruiz-once-a-globetrotting-creative-a-sherman-heights-artist-finds-new-inspiration-in-isolation

• https://oma-online.org/inspired/#tab-213737

Further reading

• ttps://hyperallergic.com/551593/a-view-from-the-easel-during-times-of-quarantine-2/

External links 

• https://www.instagram.com/katieruizart/?hl=en

• https://engage.gallery/katie-ruiz/

• https://www.ljathenaeum.org/faculty-bios/katie-ruiz

Madrid, Natalie (Abstract for Katie Ruiz)

https://hyperallergic.com/551593/a-view-from-the-easel-during-times-of-quarantine-2/

    In this article, the author Elisa Almino connects with various artists on how they have been using their time and studio space during the quarantine. In 2020 Hyperallergic interviews Katie Ruiz touches on the way the quarantine has affected her art. She claims that she has been able to merge art and fiber in a way she didn't before, and how they now have a different effect. She also claims they now have a "healing" aspect to them. She reflects on the fact she was able to make face masks for healthcare workers and how she has had this time to think and be grateful for her good health. 

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/visual-arts/story/2021-01-31/meet-katie-ruiz-once-a-globetrotting-creative-a-sherman-heights-artist-finds-new-inspiration-in-isolation

In this article, the San Diego Union Tribune 2020 interviews Katie Ruiz on her artwork and contributions during the pandemic. The author Seth Combs reports that Miss Ruiz talks about her background and how it was not suited for the recent events of the pandemic. She has lived her life in a fun way to capture art and due to galleries being shut and travel being discouraged, has been unable to engage with art the same ways. However, she discusses the benefits she has had from not being in a “work” mode with being a teacher. This has allowed for her to use her art as “therapy” since the pandemic forces her to engage with it differently. Her most recent work was on a mural named “Waves OF Feminism” which represents the three different waves of feminist thoughts. Miss Ruiz claims that the women in her life have always held her up and that art is always political.

https://oma-online.org/inspired/#tab-213737

In this art catalog at the Oceanside Museum of Art, Katie Ruiz’s artwork named “High Fall” is displayed in the selections inspired by staff. On this page, Katie Ruiz explains her artwork and its connection to Mexican textiles. She also claims her art work connects to the real world but also to the subconscious. This specific painting shows the moon in its cycle and our bodies' connection to it. 

Madrid, Natalie (Week 3)

My experiences with the Virgin of Guadalupe have been very minimal for a catholic or CA resident. I grew up going to a Catholic Church and remember always referring to her as Mary. I was taught that she represented purity and kindness as well as that mother role when she birthed Jesus. I en told that she is a part of Mexican culture, and that her outfit represents it since it is red white and green. I have seen her image through my life in my church, on candles, paintings, and even on television. She is a widely known symbol and I would be very shocked if someone didn't know of her. 

I use to take catholic classes and recall seeing her image always in my classrooms and discussing her bizarre situation and how she was treated poorly because of her being pregnant as a virgin. The teachers I have had referred to her as being brave and claimed we should be grateful to her. I know this is different from Christian culture (as I've been told) because we see her as a saint while other religions do not. When I see her image I am reminded of those classes and how I would have to recite prayers by heart, or I think of my communion.

If  am not a very religious person, I stopped going to church once I older and personally struggle to connect with religion. I completely understand that everyones faith is different and I respect peoples choices to believe or not believe in something. Thus, this image for me reminds me of my childhood and how I was once a catholic but not anymore. It also reminds me of the little shrine that my best friend has to praise the Virgin go Guadalupe. I feel that this is important, because one single symbol can represent so many different amazing faiths and beliefs throughout the world.

Madrid, Natalie

Hi everyone! my name is Natalie Madrid (she/her/hers) and I'm a fourth year Sociology major and I'm thinking of adding an education minor. I'm also a second year transfer so this is basically my first year actually on campus. I went to Mt.San Antonio College, I come from Walnut (a small city in California) which most people don't recognize but when I mention West Covina they do. I am interested in doing research in education, specifically regarding minority students in high school. I would like to study how gatekeeping of counselors can affect students educational outcomes or pathways. I feel like I personally have seen some teachers, administrators, and counselors guide students away from education. I myself recall being told that college wasn't meant for everyone and that UCLA was not an option for students like me. My sister on the other hand has been encouraged to go to out of state universities by the same counselor. I also have friends that recall being either praised or brought down by an individual and this has affect their education. 

I am so excited to take this class and get started on the wikipedia project. I am so excited to delve into art a way that I haven't before. I also look forward to studying with all of you and getting to know my peers. Hopefully we can form some friendships and get to know each other as we learn about artist and their art. I feel that last year was a very off year due to the pandemic so I'm considering this a fresh start to do all the things I wasn't able to before. I don't know much about art but I am ready to learn more because I strongly believe that education about anything is important. So excited!!