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drink the water

Travel Update: I’m still in. cdmx, waiting for.my bus to Oaxaca. I have noticed that a lot of USA people warn me to “not drink the water” when I tell them I’m going to visit Mexico. I always let them know that I love Mexican water.

photo of mexican water

this brand of naturally occuring carbonated water comes from a spring in Mexico. and is one of the most delicious waters I have ever had… plain or with the salt and lime. I have already had 2 liters, and I feel better than ever! so my advice if you ever visit Mexico is: drink the water!

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My first experience with Mexican health care – mi primer experincia con la atencion medica de Mexico

I got sick while in Mexico, so I got to experience their version of health care.
Estuve enfermo cuando en Mexico, entonces tuve la opportunidad ver su manera de atencion medica.

Nothing serious, but I had a cough for over a week, and thought I should see a doctor about some medicine. I was nervous, because I don’t have health coverage while in Mexico.
No fue serio, pero tuve un tosa durante mas que una semana, entonces piensé que debe ver un medico sobre algo medicina. estuve nervioso porque no tengo seguro de salud cuando en Mexico.

doctor's office in Oaxaca, MX
I went to this small clinic, where a doctor checked my temperature, blood pressure, eyes, ears, nose and throat. He asked a few questions about my symptoms and allergies, then wrote a prescription for 4 different medicines.
Fui a este clinica pequena, donde un medico vió a mi temperatura, presion de sangre, ojos, oidos, nariz y cuello. Me pidó unos preguntas sobre mi enfermadad y alergias, entonces me escribó un nota para 4 distinto medicinas.

Pharmacy in Oaxaca, MX
There was a pharmacy next door, where I bought an albuterol inhaler, a decongestant, antihistimine, and antibiotic.
Hay un farmacia al lado, donde compré los medicinas.

This might look a little rustic compared to US health system, but it was professional, and sufficient, I am already starting to feel better—especially since the doctor’s visit AND medicine cost less than $20 USD.
Quizas parace poco rustico comparado con atencion medica de EEUU, pero fueron bastante y profesional. ya comenzo sentar mejor–especialmente porque la consultorio medico Y medicina costo menos que $350 MX.

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Screen Printing Class With Marcos Lucero – Clase de serigrafia con Marcos Lucero

Recently, i took Marcos Lucero’s screen printing class at Taller la Chicharra.
Recientamente, tomé la clase de serigrafia de Marcos Lucero a Taller la Chicharra.
color sketch of bull with accordian
The first day, i made a sketch of my design.
La primer dia, hice un dibujo de mi diseño.

color sketch of bull playing accordian
My sketch – a bull playing an acordian
Mi dibujo-un toro tocando un  acordeón.

using india ink and acetate to make positive exposures of each color
I copied the design onto acetate with india ink-to transfer onto the screen-one for each color.
yo copié mi diseno sobre acetato con tinta china-para lo mudar a la malla-uno por cada color.

macros lucero preparing screen for exposure
Marcos showed us how to mix the chemicals y put them on the screen.
Marcos nos muestró como mezclar los químicos y las puso sobre la malla.

using the sun to expose screen
We used the sun to transfer the designs to the Screen
Nos usamos el sol para trasladar los diseños sobre la malla

screen printing the first color-gold
The first color-Gold!
¡El primer color-Oro!

3 layers of color for screen print
I made a lot of mistakes in the process, but Marcos taught me some tricks to fix the design.
hice muchos errores en el proceso, pero Marcos me enseñó algo trucos corregir mi diseño.

final screen print-bull with accordian
The finished screenprint-Bull with Accordian-Thanks to Marcos and the artists from Taller la Chicharra
La serigrafia termina-Toro Con Acordeón-Gracias a Marcos y los artistas de Taller la Chicharra

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Some things I missed about Oaxaca – algos que extrañé sobre Oaxaca

I want to share some things from my first day in Oaxaca.
Quiero compartirte algos de mi primer dia en Oaxaca.
street art in Oaxaca, Mx - flor de pina
Art/Arte

In Oaxaca, art is part of life. It is not only in houses and galleries, but also in the street
En Oaxaca, arte es parte de la vida. No es solo en casas y gallerias, pero tambien en la calle.

statue in corner of road in Oaxaca, MX
It is easy to find inspiration in such a beautiful city. Here is a quick sketch I made during my walk:
Es facil encontrar inspiracion en una ciudad tan belleza. Aqui es un dibujar rapido yo realizado durante mi caminar.

Food/Comida
The sketch is a view from Xochimilco, a neighborhood with an organic market (every Friday and Saturday) in it’s church courtyard.
El dibujo es una vista de Xochimilco, un barrio con un mercado organico (cada Viernes y Sabado) en la patio de la inglesia.pochote organic market in Xochimilco

Oaxaca is world famous for their food. I was too busy to take pictures, but it could be the best in the world.
Oaxaca es famoso sobre el mundo para  su comida. estuve tanto ocupado grabadar fotos, pero es comida mejor en el mundo.

Friends/Amigos
hospitality in oaxaca
It is great to see my friends again! They have welcomed me to their country, and it feels good to be at my home away from home.
Es grandioso ver mis amigos otra vez. Ellos me han dado bienvenido a sus pais, y siento bien estar a mi casa lejos de mi casa.

I also love the chance to speak Spanish. I was quickly reminded that I still have much to learn.  I hope the next 3 months will be  a great learning experience for me.
Yo siempre encanto la oportunidad hablar espanol. recordé muy rapido que todavia tengo mucho aprender.  Deseo que los 3 meses proximos estaran un experencia grande para me instruido. Category: mexico

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Tamales – block print

Right now, I’m doing a lot of printmaking in my studio:

tamales

The design is from my recent residency in Oaxaca, MX. These two women sold tamales in the street. Their tamales are delicious, and they let me practice speaking spanish while I ate. They have been selling tamales on that corner for 15 years.

DSC01257
I thought they would look good in red.

tamale01

…using oil based inks

tamale02

and my old fashioned printing press

DSC01258

I’m hungry just looking at the finished print.

tamales_1

You can watch the process (friday december 4, 2015 from noon-5) at the EAT gallery in Maysville, KY.
If you can’t make it for that: I’m having an open house Saturday and Sunday in Old Washington for their Frontier Christmas Celebration.

And if you would like to try it yourself, I am teaching a 4 hour workshop at the Baker Hunt Art and Culture Center in Covington, KY December 12th.

If you are interested in the artwork I created while in Oaxaca, MX, you can see more by visiting the “Mexico” section of my gallery