Girl Power

                            
I've been here for the last couple of days, where above on the billboards, below on play bills stuck to the melting asphalt and posed on the the back of taxi cabs are advertisements of barely clad, full bodied faceless girls. Being here is down right depressing, if not for the reason we find ourselves in this cement clad desert oasis in 100 degree temperature. Last night, my oldest daughter fought her way to earning her third degree brown belt in Kenpo Karate 5.0

Accomplishing such an achievement in this town is a more than a little ironic. She is only 17, and for the last several years has been trained by some amazing teachers- thank you Mr. S, Mr. P and Mr. T!

She goes for her first degree black belt next year- and should have it right after she graduates from High School- which is somewhat of a comfort for me- since I have no idea how to let go of my baby and let  her go off into the big bad world. Yesterday, watching her hold her own in a room with at least fifty Brown and Black belts, being one of maybe five women, like all mothers, this is the face I saw.

proud of you, Bunny!

IF: Whooooo?

This is almost my first attempt at fabric collage from way back when- using mixed media- wire for the house's screen door and lantern.

Ohhh to finally feel like it is truly summer here in Colorado- if not a slightly cool one.  

IF: Launch

What kid does not love to be launched into the sky by their dads.

Happy Father's Day

There Really Are No New Ideas!

It is such a hardship, but I had to take daughter #1 to Santa Fe a few days ago. She is going to be testing for her third degree Brown belt in karate soon and she needed to work with her head instructor. It's about a 5 hour drive from SW Colorado, so we stayed over one night.

What is a mom to do all day in Santa Fe New Mexico? I didn't hang around the karate studio, I'll tell you that. Instead, I headed up to Museum Hill and browsed the textiles at the International Folk Art Museum.

There was an interesting exhibit on the folk art of the Andes region in South America.

Apparently, "Made in China" knock offs are nothing new. Way back in the mid 1800's, Peruvian Folk Art was sent to China to be replicated and returned to South America for souvenirs for the growing tourist trade!  

How does an Arabic style bag called an al-khurj finds its way to the high mountains of South America? Well, In the Crusades, Spain took on much of its Muslim conquers, and brought the Arabic influence with them when they conquered the New World. 

This is a huge embroidered tapestry (2007)  from the village of Chijnaya in Puno, Peru, depicting daily life. Note the Catholic church's road side alters and the local festival depicted.

Okay.... what kind of loom are these ladies using- I always assumed that an upright loom was used in South America like the Navajo looms- this looks like some kind of a floor loom- anyone knowledgeable?

The Spanish conquers also deemed the tradition dress of the Natives inappropriate and encouraged them to dress like lower class pheasants from Spain. Of course local styles did not go away entirely, so now the local dress of the women of the Andes, still has a little of their original culture. I always wondered the origins of the little ladies in Mexico who sell the boxes of chicklets- though from a different region of South America I think - they are very similar to this lady's dress.

And the embroidery!! Gorgeous !

Also adopted from their Spanish conquers, but then adapted to their own culture.

Also learned that "Bring your own bag" is also nothing new!

Ladies will carry these little squares of fabric and use them to bundle things at the market, or to lay down on the ground for picnics. Kinda of reminds me of the Girl Scout bandanas we were encouraged  to carry which could be tied to a hobo stick, used in first aid, protects your head from the sun, etc, etc, etc.

And bigger sacks are needed to transport anything on a llama!