Alegria Collage

Collage project for the song Alegria of Cirque du Soleil

Bristol board, acrylics, newsprint paper, magazine cut-outs,tracing paper. 85x55 cm

Joys

I got flowers for my birthday.. :D
and some very cool sunglasses from Santi.

19th

Well, todays was just a special day, that comes around once a year.

nothing unusual, nothing strange, just a little older that's all.

It was special indeed, but I've learned it has to be not because people make it so, because when I have so many expectations about it, I'm always disappointed. But it has to be special because I make it be so, because it's my day, no matter if people remember it or do anything about it. Nevermind. It's special, it's mine.

Thank you though, to all wonderful people who remembered and made me feel loved, it really makes it a lot more special, and means so much to me.

I'm really blessed..I made it till 19.. and thot I wish it wouldn't happen, because what's gone is gone and I'll never get back to being 18 or 17 again. Well, everything ahead is still uncovered, it's got to be even better,. God surely has great things ahead..I just have to enjoy each moment knowing it'll never come back.

Les années folles

Poster I made to advertise a party hosted by the french club at campus.
71x55 cm orange bristol board, and black acrylic painting.

The Flood

This is the funnest thing;


for the past couple days its been raining a lot and been quite warm, about 8ºC, which has made all the huge amounts of snow melt. That plus the fact that we're located right beside the Thames river = flood.
So the university parking lot located right in front of my building is completely flooded and has turned into a pretty sweet lake.
This is ridiculously funny, and I'll tell you why:

The people living in this area, to get to university each morning, instead of going through the university gates, we take a shortcut through the parking lot and usually we go perfectly timed to get to our classes straight. But this morning...haha..
So I live on the 7th floor of this building facing the parking lot, and right under the windows we can watch people pass by.

Here's how it goes this morning: some are people walking down the street towards the parking lot, oblivious to what ahead of them. One person gets to the parking lot and sees it all flooded, they try to start crossing it cause the idea of having to go around to the main university gates it's too much extra time, but as they start getting deeper and deeper into the water they realize it just won't work, so they turn on their heels and go back, walkin very fast. Some may try to warn the rest of the people that are going towards the parking lot, but people are very suspiciuous, and won't believe it till they have reached the parking lot and seen it with their own eyes, then they'll turn back and do the same. One by one, it's very amusing watchig them come from up the street, and knowing exactly what's gonna happen and how everyone will react.


Other people tried to avoid it by taking a shorcut through a forest path right here, they seemed very amused by the situation adn thot they were too cool cause they knew about the shortcut and they're gonna avoid the problem everyone was facing. I watched them get in the forest only to come back 5 mins later cause its probably all mud and water. heeh

But then, there was the brave girl. She was probably very late for class cause she came running down the street, a guy was running behind her. When she reached the parking lot she didn't even stop running, she got into the water and kept running, the guy behind her froze though, tried to call her, and since she kept running he turned back by himself. The girl didnt turn back though, and she crossed the whole parking lot with the water up to her knees. what a shiner!!

And just a moment ago, the stupidest thing I've ever seen: 2 guys wearing shorts come walking down the street carrying a small boat, they get to the parking lot, they put on 2 lifevests, get in the 2-person-capacity boat which apparently has no bottom, so they have their legs coming out of the boat. They get in the water and start walking through the water. Can somesone explain to me what's the point of getting in a boat with no bottom? They crossed the whole "lake" in the boat and no i have no idea what happened with them and the boat.
Oh, and the car stuck in the water that couldnt get out. They called a breakdown van, and it doesent even dare to get in the water to go rescue the car. I seems to me the car's gonna stay stuck till the waters go down.
Ayhow, there were many funny stories this morning, but now I actually have to go to class myself and find my way to avoid the parking lot.




The university parking lot turned to lake. If these big trees werent gettign in the way you could see it very well. There are still some snowmountains on the sides.



My building's small parking lot. This one was only partially flooded. the forest path shortcut is on the left corner up.

here's what the uni says on the webpage:
Flooding closes campus parking lots
By Communications Staff Thursday, February 12, 2009
5:30 a.m. - Two parking lots on the campus of The University of Western Ontario remain closed this morning, as heavy rain and melting snow have caused increased water levels in the Thames River and Medway Creek. The Medway parking lot behind Elgin Hall and the Talbot parking lot were evacuated and closed late Wednesday evening as water levels began to rise quickly. Individuals who would normally park in these lots are advised to park in the Huron Flats lot near TD Waterhouse Stadium, or in the Althouse College parking lot until all flooding danger has passed.

The flooding has also necessitated the closing of a number of footpaths across campus, particularly those near the river. Pedestrians are advised to keep a safe distance away from flood waters.

Further updates will be posted on Western’s homepage at www.uwo.ca

Spring in winter

this is how my carboard books ended up, split in two, one half outside and one half inside.

My art installation project. The idea is to relate with the space as part of the artwork in an expression of place and time. I wanted to make the trees outside go through the window and enter inside as an element of intrusion. There's a contrast of seasons spring/winter. The branches inside are safe from the cold outside and thus they are i blossom, in contraposition, the branches outside are lifeless. The coffee cups and books represent a whole feeling I wanted to portray, reflecting the "feeling safe" from the cold, while still enjoying what is outside. (I know everyone knows the feeling of "ohh its so cold and snowing outside, i just feel like cuddling up with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate/coffee. well at least I know Nic understands. there was no way to make my prof understand it though)

oh yeah, as for medium: thats a window there, to which i glued and attached to the celiing with strings real dried branches both outside and inside. The ones outside are white and have nothing while the ones inside are green with added fake leaves/flowers/butterflies. As well, there are glued carboard books painted with acrylics and your ordinary take-away coffee cup.

Litérature en couleurs

These are cardboard books, painted with acrylics, for a project.

Phone me.

"There's still a little bit of your words I long to hear..."

Clay sculpture.
The idea is portraying what a phone means to me. Besides communicating, which is what everyone thinks about when they think about a phone, for me it means a way of seeing the person on the other side..perhaps through the voice you imagine them just as if they were there.

VIP

Taken from Amos' blog, tx!:) Sometimes it's nice to remember you actually belong to a high-class sign.  ;)

(Melissa you can argue with me on this :D)

Us > Everyone else.

Aquarians present themselves in one of two ways. One on hand, you'll see someone who is shy and quiet. On the other, an Aquarius can be boisterous, eccentric, and energetic. Both are deep thinkers with a love of helping others. Highly intellectual, this is a fiercely independent sign that prizes intuition tempered with logic. Both personality types have an uncanny ability to see both sides of an argument without prejudice, making them excellent problem solvers. While very much attuned to the energies around them, Aquarians have a deep need to take time out alone and away to rejuvenate themselves. The keyword for this sign is imagination. The Aquarian can see a world of possibilities even when there appears to be none.

Friends and Family

Even though Aquarians are great with groups of people, it takes a bit when it comes to making close friends. Deeply sensitive and cautious, closeness means vulnerability to an Aquarius, and this is not something to be taken lightly. Aquarians' direct, no-nonsense approach in combination with their strong values can make it challenging to get to know the inner person. Yet those who are able to do so will discover a friendship that lasts through the years. An Aquarius will go the distance for a loved one to the point of self-sacrifice if necessary. They look for creativity, intellect, and honesty in their friends. When it comes to family, the expectations are no less. Although dedicated to a sense of duty to relatives, the Aquarius isn't one for developing close bonds unless the same qualities they expect in their friendships are there.

Career and Money

Aquarians bring enthusiasm to the work they do, especially when it involves expression. They have an exceptionally high ability to put their imaginative qualities to the task and to think outside the box. Careers that allow for concept development or demonstration can suit this sign well. I know is the key phrase for the Aquarius. High intellect combined with an Aquarius' willingness to share their talents inspires many who work in the same environment. Being visionary types, Aquarians love to engage in careers that aim to benefit humankind in the long-run.

When it comes to money, this sign really has a knack for keeping a healthy balance between having the things that they need and putting money away. When they are out shopping, the shiny, glittery, and extravagant will catch their attention even though their homes are generally decorated with great taste. It's not uncommon to find the Aquarius turning heads dressed in daring, brightly colored outfits. Most are well-attuned to their individual sense of style and aren't afraid to show it.

Careers that suit the Aquarius are acting, writing, teaching, photography, or piloting. The best environment is one that gives the freedom to tackle the task without a lot of strict guidelines. The Aquarius is unconventional, and given the opportunity to show their true talents, they can perform amazing feats.

Love

Intellectual stimulation is by far the greatest aphrodisiac for the Aquarian. There's nothing like a lively chat rich in culture and future possibilities to get this sign going. When it comes to love, people best suited are those that are not thrown off by Aquarian frankness. Open, communicative, imaginative, and willing to risk are all qualities that blend well with this sign's perspective on life. Honesty and sincerity are essential for anyone seeking a long-term connection to this dynamic personality. 

(www.msn.com)

They tore the world apart with hatred.. We'll mend it with LOVE

picture for the Diversity Art Expo at the UCC.

It came out on the University's press.. :)

charcoal and color chalk.

 (Amos, this is the expo I told you about.)

Freezing white

Supporting the uni
Forzen window glass, beautiful isn't it?

winter at the campus

Brescia college

me freezing!

So here's a fun story:

10 pm
we 3 brave ones
in search of a bus stop
-20ºC
no bus in sight
45 minutes waiting
ears and toes and fingers froze, then turned blue then purple then had to cut them off. no not really.

Cellist

60x30 cm
India ink, nib and brush.
2 days.

Ya vienen los reyes por aquel camino..

And I made some treats..

Roscón de reyes. Taking a whole day, but totally worth the time.

Plum-cake I made with the extra candied fruits, nuts, mashed bananas, raisins and avocado, and candied orange on the top.
Apple,raisin and cinnamon empanadas.

and the Kings are bringing more presents tonight...

Elliot und die nutencracker

fountain pen

took a day

my last 2008 picture

Just Christmas

7 hours playing Risk on Christmas day, and we couldn't even finish.
My niece Elaine and my sister Jenny caroling.

Me with the kids

and..me.

Merry Christmas

Christian and Sharon making pictures for me

Gingerbread cookies I made with the kids

At the Ritz Hotel in Madrid, so expensive you feel like an aristocrat.

There are videos of the kids mutilating the gingerbread man, and having gingerbreadmen fights and singing christmas songs. If only I could upload videos..

Tonight's the night the world begins again

Everyone's got their share of problems,
suffering,
everybody cries, wishes for something better.
For this Christ came to Earth

you ask me what I want this year, and I try to make this kind and clear;
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days.

I wish everyone was loved tonight

And somehow stop this endless fight

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

Love and smiles

Dusk

If you love something and it goes away
and you love something else and that something returns
can you still love it?
or can you still desire it because you never had it?

-AGV

medium: pastels

Blog post from Madrid

I've been awake for exactly 24 hours
I've traveled in 3 different planes
to 4 different airports
risked ALL of my art portfolio traveling as checked baggage
had a pretzel at Frankfurt
and as soon as I arrived to Madrid it started snowing!
:)
I'm home for Christmas!


(hola soy edu feliz navidad..hola soy edu feliz navidad..etc etc lalala)

White and silver

some weeks ago Santi had a fencing competition.

And this is winter at my university.