Last Post Mexico City

One of our field trips was to the Museum of Popular Art.

It reminded me of the Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe; full of clever toys and objects.

Of course we had lunch at the tiled house, otherwise known as Sanborns.

And visited the Chapultepec Castle.

Maximillian and Carlotta lived here for only 3 years but they had to have a house fitting their station.

In case they wanted to go on a buggy ride.

Or have a few friends over for snacks.

I was most interested in the large hall full of Mexican history of the Revolution and plan to return next winter to spend an entire day there. I love history.

Oh, yes, that's Santa Ana's wooden leg above. Just wow.

They like big cakes in Mexico.

If you're getting married you'll want an extra tall one.

So yes, we visited a cake bakery to oooh and aahhh.

Most impressive to me was our visit to Carlito Dalceggio's home and studio.

He's lived all over the world, sharing his art.

Specializes in murals and walls. Performance painting. Has books and videos. 

There's lots of information online about his work.

He keeps journals and paints rapidly.

He painted 16 sumi paintings while we watched. It took him only moments.

And then he gave us each a painting.

This beautiful man.

Blessed us.

Katie's 2nd class was making portable altars.

Check her blog too; I'm sure her story will round out the one I'm telling.

A few of us checked out the Metro (subway). It was clean and efficient.

Belles Artes Museum.

Katie in front of the grand Cathedral in the giant Zocalo.

That's a big church!!

A smile that could light up a city.

Mexico's humungous flag; proud country, beautiful country, thank you for your hospitality and friendship. I shall return, God willing. 

Mexico City Part 2

Xochimilco. The lakes in Mexico City where you can swan around in a colorful boat and eat, listen to mariachis and dream exotic dreams in the company of your friends.

Frida did it and we did it too.

The colors were extraordinary. (Hi Joely!)

The air clean, the water clean.

These ladies were in a boat that pulled up alongside ours and fed us lunch.

And mariachis. Of course there were mariachis.

Spectacular.

We visited the Dolores Olmos Museum where Diego's estate is housed.

Rumor is that he may have declined in judgment following Frida's passing as his estate ended up in the hands of a woman who was unsympathetic to the rest of his family. But in the end she gave us the museum so thank you Dolores.

There were peacocks on the grounds showing their mating feathers.

And Diego's work.

Such a brilliant artist.

A number of Frida's well-known paintings were here as well.

Can't resist putting in a couple of food pictures. OMG, the food in Mexico!!

Yeah. Cheesecake with boysenberries.

Lovely girls in native splendor.

On this night we went to the home of Nacho Urquiza, author, and Laura Cordera, food stylist for an unforgettable meal and discussion of food, mexican history and to see the art collection there.

Can I mention that the food was incomparable? Isthmus food; every dish and accompanying adult beverage over the moon.

In the middle of the week I taught a class on Sculpey dolls.

I love to see how various artists interpret the guidance I give.

So here is my online class announcement. If you'd like to join in at home and make your own Sculpey dolls in the folk-arty, relaxed style that I teach, on April 13th I'll open the class for you online. Since it is a less involved class than the ones I have offered in the past I'm only charging $50. You can go here to read about it and sign up.

I couldn't get it all in this post so I'll be back for one more part on Mexico City. This is the mantle above the fireplace in our living room at the Branch of the Red Tree House. Big sigh. It was good. 

xo