Final Post

Throughout this quarter, I learned so much information in the artwork, made by Chicana artists and the many different and similar views Chicano/@ share of religious icon figures. I enjoyed the presentations held in class, in where I was able to learn of the different techniques used my artists to develop such amazing artwork like the ones illustrated in class. I enjoyed the three textbooks we read through this quarter, because they contained informative information in the development of Chicana artists and their involvement through politics. I appreciated being presented the different images of the Virgin Mary as not the same ideal image everyone grew up seeing while growing up. Most of all, I had the best time drawing and sketching in my sketchbook. I now found a new way his to take my stress out, and that is with drawing and painting. Overall, I am glad I took this class, not inly because I learned so much information, but also because professor Lopez, made it such an interesting course to take. Not being an art major nor being talented like most students artwork I seen in class, I enjoyed sharing my drawings an paintings with individuals in class, because everyone in class were very nice and friendly; something I appreciated very much.

Chicana Printmakers

Holly Barnet-Sanchez goes into depth detail with explaining the involvement, Chicana printmakers had through the Chicano/a civil rights movement, while wanting to also receive equal respect for their artistic skills, the same respect males in that field were granted. The calendars and photograph prints, spoke of the suffrages and disadvantages Chicana women faced while living in a patriarchal society. As explained in this article, Chicana printmakers while being socially active were also aiming to eliminate the division of power between males and females. Chicana printmakers wanted to prove that they were capable to represent their Latino community, while also educating them in how thriving the Latino community can be if males and females practiced egalitarianism in their relationships. Eventually that would unite them and make them stronger to resist oppression from the dominant group. I noticed the images represented Latina women with different types of upbringings, nevertheless dealing with the same struggle of being underrepresented. The images illustrated plenty of emotions, by the facial expression many of the women in the images had. Therefore, one can imagine how hard it was for these Chicana printmakers to express their talents at the time.

One of the images that captivated me was from Yreina Cervántez, called El pueblo chicano con el pueblo centroamericano. In this image she manages to include political activist such as El Che, who was from an Argentinian descent. It was good to see that through Latino struggles, all Latinos from different countries can manage to come together and fight for a cause that will help the whole Latino community, and that at the end of the day, we are Latinos and we should not be divided into groups of Mexican and Centro Americans, because though one might be from a different country, there are struggles that all Latinos encounter.

Carmen Lomas Garza

The image I have chosen by Carmen Lomas Garza is named Los Mesquites. This image caught my attention, since when I first seen it, I did not realize the strong emotional message behind it. When I realized the image contained features of human relationships through nature, it automatically remind me of Laura Aguilar and her relationship with nature. The image illustrates trunks and branches of two mesquite trees. When viewing the image carefully, one can notice that what builds the tree, are bodies of nude males and females interacting in what I would call sweet and sour relationships. The reason why I see this image as sweet and sour relationships is because the symbolic body posture of the females seem to portray confusion while appearing blinded and manipulated by what they believe is love. It appears as if the females in the image all share their male partners. I would conclude that this image works as a symbol of the famous saying “love is blind” because both females and males seem confused by showing affection to one another and later escaping from each other making romantic love appear confusing. Lastly, the aluminum plate etching technique of this image, it is just so captivating and such a creative artwork.

Letter to Mitsy Avila Ovalles

Dear Mitsy Avila Ovalles:

The reason for this letter is because I am a current third year student at UCLA, and at the time, I am taking a Chicana art course, in where each student has selected a Chicana artist of their choice to present to the class. While making my selection, I came across your artwork, which captivated my eyes do to your unique style of detail contained in portraits of actual existing people. Therefore, I knew you were the Chicana artist I wanted to further research and present to my classmates. While developing my research, I noticed your artwork focuses in representing the cultures of colored people.

I was captivated in how you focus to draw individuals such as the legend Fernando Valenzuela one of Dodgers legends, Mexican singer Pedro Fernandez as a child, Walter Mercado, and Esai Morales from the popular film La Bamba. It was also nice to see how you tend to include well know singers such as Amy Winehouse and Eazy- E, who also represent other cultures, but can be related to the Latino community at some point. The reason these images spoke to me was because while I was viewing your artwork, it brought back memories of when I was a child growing up in a household, where Fernando Valenzuela’s Dodgers history was constantly repeated, as well as with Pedro Fernandez popular song “Yo no fui”, Walter Mercado’s traditional saying “mucho, mucho amor”, and one of my favorite films of all times La Bamba. It made me think of the old good times my family and I would have when we were very close to each other, and would spend time with one another.

Moreover, I was fascinated by your artwork that represents the ideal Latina women with a little hood in them. It is appreciated to see a Chicana artist like you, who tend to represent cholas with tattoos, which gives cholas acceptance and representation through art. Lastly, the last drawings of the naked ladies you posted on your blog, May 23, 2014 are a great representation of the ideal woman with curves. The images show manage to represent the bodies of women who are happy and feel comfortable with their bodies. It is great to see that you focus in representing thick women though your artwork, as also a form of acceptance and beauty through art. Thus, you are a true Chicana artist who represents other Chicana’s and people of color as a whole community, who can relate to each other through your artwork. Thank you for what you do.

Sincerely,

Escobar Vanessa

Commenting on Dia De Los Muertos SPARC event Extra Credit by Ashley Uvina, November 10th

While reading through my classmates posts, I decided to comment on Ashley Uvina’s post of when she attended the day of the dead event at SPARC. Ashley explained how she was able to make an altar to commemorate her loved ones. I think it was something awesome she was able to make. It was also interesting how she was able to participate in the event and in the calling of the four regions in the ancient Nahua language as she mentioned. Something that captivated me the most was how Ashley mentioned that while her participation in the calling, she and those who participated were not able to paint their faces, because that is not part of the ritual. That is something new I have now learned thanks to Ashley. Since, I am not very knowledgeable in the day of the dead ritual, I had no idea that the painting of the face was not permitted. Though I did attend the Olvera Street event, I did notice that mostly everyone that participated had their face painted, but I believe that was because they actually did not do the ritual calling of the four regions like Ashley did for the SPARC event. Overall, it was nice to read of Ashley’s experience through the SPARC event.

Laura Aguilar

I was fascinated with learning about a self-taught photographer (Laura Aguilar), who through her photography, she wants to educate folks that the ideal imagery of a perfect skinny female body is not for every women and for those who are on the heavy side, they should be happy with their body and learn to accept it and love it. Through her photographic images, she empowers many women in becoming more confortable with their bodies. Aguilar is such a respected lesbian Latina because while being a heavyweight, lesbian Latina dealing with auditory dyslexia, she strives to challenge created notions that depict and ruin heavy women’s lives in daily basis. It is admirably respected how though she has illnesses of her own, she is willing to help others that might be going trough her same experiences. I was captivated to see how comfortable she was with posing nude for the cameras. I believe posing nude in scenes of nature, has really helped her become confortable with her body and she has learned how to love herself. I think that is one key aspect for individuals to have in life in order to live life to the fullest with no regrets. It is important to let people see who one is in reality. Laura is very inspirational and I know her mission for Latina women to explore their body has been appreciated.