It's that time of year again

 I've been busy painting all kinds of seasonal illustrations these past few weeks, which means I prepared all kinds of greeting cards and prints for this beautiful time of year.

If you're in Mexico City, I'll be selling all these goodies at the ASF ART FAIR on Saturday. I'd love to see you there ♥

Santos Difuntos

I'm so glad it's October :) like most people, I love love love every holiday from here to December, one of my favorites is Day of The Dead (Día de Muertos) here in Mexico. It's right after Halloween and everything gets super colorful and spooky. Plus, I can't wait to put up my altar this year, which I will most likely post pictures of on my facebook fanpage. The Calavera (skull) is probably the most representative image for Day of The Dead, I've always thought they look super awesome, so I decided to paint my own (pictured above) and I believe I will paint a couple more for a cool project I will write about later on... ♥

Day of the Dead Print is available on etsy and I also made special blank greeting cards that will be sold exclusively at BAZAR FUSIÓN which will be held during October 14th throughout the 16th in PLAZA RIO DE JANERIO, Roma, Mexico City. Event info here.

SI ESTÁS EN EL DF O ESTARÁS EN LA CIUDAD EL 14, 15 Y 16 DE OCTUBRE NO TE PUEDES PERDER LA EDICIÓN 50 DE BAZAR FUSIÓN, DE REGRESO A LA ROMA! INFO Y MAPA AQUÍ.

Time to Travel!

I'm so excited I get to visit one of my best friends in the world Alessia, in Toronto. It's been forever since I've been to Canada and I can't wait to land in the great white north :) 

I won't be posting for a couple of weeks, but you can check out my new paintings for Day of The Dead  and Thanksgiving in the shop, see you all soon! ♥ 

Fusión Semptiembre!

Hey People! September is independence month here is Mexico and the arts & crafts sale I'm in has themed this edition "El mes más Mexicano" so it inspired me to try and paint a few objects with what feels like Mexican to me. Everything in this country always looks so festive, cheerful, colorful and bright. I used a lot of red, which I don't usually go for, and some new shapes and forms. Also, coincidently, I had just finished painting my "Ojo de Dios" (bottom left) which I wrote about a few weeks ago. If you're in the area I'd love to see you there :)

Este fin de semana voy a estar en Bazar Fusión, si estás o vas a estar en el DF el fin de semana del 2, 3 y 4 de Septiembre pasa a saludar, he estado trabajando mucho para llevarles cosas nuevas! Pueden encontrar toda la información AQUÍ  ♥ ♥ ♥

New Bookmaks in the shop!

Choose from any 3 designs to make your own set of  bookmarks ♥

Wooden Wall Letters 

Here are a few styles of wooden letters I paint. These are mostly feathers and roses, but I do a lot of different floral styles, leaves, beachy, cosmic, etc etc... I've listed these letters on Etsy, for personalized monograms. I can basically paint any idea you like as long as it's related to nature and I'll interpret it with my personal style as best I can! Click here for your personalized order.

New Prints Available! 

I just listed 3 new items on my etsy shop! 

"The Peaceful Dreamer" print

"The Woven Web of Life" print

and

"Ojo de Dios" print

♥ ♥ ♥

Ojo De Dios

They're so pretty! It's called "Ojo de Dios" (God's Eye) and they are the work of The Huicholes here in Mexico. These are made with sticks and yarn but I made my own with acrylic paint and paper. Check out these by Jay Mohler, he's a genius.

"El "ojo de Dios" es la figura instrumental religiosa más conocida de la cultura huichola. Representa los cinco puntos cardinales del cosmos wirrárika -oriente, poniente, norte, sur y centro- y en él se reivindica al oriente, donde surge "abuelo fuego", punto geográfico más importante del universo. Un "ojo de Dios" equivale a un año en la vida de un niño y cada año, después de su iniciación en la "Fiesta del tambor" apenas recién nacido, su padre debe elaborar uno hasta que cumpla cinco años de edad, para que siempre esté protegido. Estos amuletos integran un "árbol cósmico" que se tira al mar en un lugar sagrado que los wirrárikas tienen en San Blas, Nayarit." 

picture source beaded jaguar  picture source huicholes  text source

Bazar Fusión Semptember

It's time for Bazar Fusión Again! If you are in Mexico City around September 2nd, 3rd & 4th please come a visit me, it's so much fun and there's coolness all around. One of the items I sell are these initials, which are perfect for bedrooms, I always make a bunch of different styles of these. This "G" & "E" are my newest creations (I also made a bunch with feathers, pics soon).

If you are in town, o si vives en el DF drop by and say Hi! I'd love to meet you. 

INFO HERE

Woven Web of Life 

"Only good dreams would be allowed to filter through… Bad dreams would stay in the net, disappearing with the light of day." 

I feel a new obsession arising. 

I've been going crazy with this little app, I share with you a few of my instagram shots related with my day to day of being and artist.  I love you iphone! 

1. Painting beige background with watercolor on "Leaves" illustration 2. Dreamcatcher sketch 3. I finally finished that dreamcatcher last night (close up)  4. Framed red roses for my friend Salvatore on his birthday 5. This is what my hands look like after a long night of painting 6. Green tea out of "Leaves" mug in my aunt's house 7. Two etsy sales being shipped to New York and Springfield 8. My beloved Winsor and Newton water thingy 9. Morning coffee out of "Endless Knot" mandala mug 10. Prepping a bunch of new prints with my brand stamp (I use gold ink which smells like cinnamon!) 

♥ ♥ ♥ 

p.s. you can follow me on instagram, find me with this name: anavictoriana I'd love to follow you back and see what you're up to! 

Love is old love is new. Love is all love is you.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Now the darkness only stays at night-time. In the morning it will fade away.

This song has helped me through the most difficult times in my life, thanks again George. 

♥

New Prints! 

Hello, I've got a bunch of new prints available! I'll be selling these at Bazar Fusión which will be in about a month, and I've listed a few on Etsy as well! 

All digital prints are printed on Sundance textured paper (216gr) 

Thanks to my lovely model Salvatore for helping me out with these pics, listen to his band Hummersqueal and his solo project Saro (which I designed the artwork for, but that deserves a separate  post... soon!)

I hope you all have a great weekend ♥

THE WHEEL OF DHARMA

I started this blog five years ago because I was doing this class project for a painting class called "Pintura en  Representación" (I'm a graphic design major but I slipped in a few fine arts classes in college). Anyways, my project for that class was a series called ASHTAMANGALA or The Eight Auspicious Signs. My aesthetic has changed quite a bit in the past five years, but it's always great to look back on what you've done in the past, even though it can be kind of embarrassing and make you cringe. 

So, one of the most important symbols of the Eight Auspicious signs is the Dharma Wheel or Dharmacakra , which is what I based the illustration you see above on. This symbol can also be interpreted as "The Wheel of Law" and represents the Buddha's teaching of the path to enlightenment. 

Here is a list of the Eight Auspicious Signs: 

"The Right Turning Conch"

"Endless Knot"

"Pair of Golden Fish"

"Lotus Flower"

"Parasol"

"Treasure Vase"

"Wheel of Dharma"

"Victory Banner"

I've also recently done my take on the endless knot and Lotus Flower for my mandala series, you can see here. 

*Note* I know this is nerdy but one other thing I love about the Dharma Wheel is it's association with the TV show LOST. Yes, I was a total Lostie, and I miss it oh so much!

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes.

George was going through difficult time in his life, to get away from it all he visited his good friend Eric Clapton. While walking around in his garden he picked up one of Eric's acoustic guitars and wrote this lovely song. You're my hero George. 

Check out this great transition that was made for LOVE Cirque Du Soleil:

 Here Comes The Sun The Inner Light [Transition] by thebeatles 

SUMMER SOLSTICE! 

Guys! I checked into mediafire, and discovered my wallpapers have been downloaded over 800 times! This makes me so happy, I've decided to upload Indian Summer wallpapers for desktops and iphones.

Download HERE.

Fruit!

Look at these precious honeys! Meet Laia and Aleix, my niece and nephew. They're tiny enchanted pixies.
I ♥ hanging out with these kids. This is a little birthday party invitation I whipped up for them. 

SYMBOLS OF THE ALCHEMISTS AND THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS

I love this definition: 

Alchemy is an ancient tradition, the primary objective of which was the creation of the mythical "philosopher's stone," which was said to be capable of turning base metals into gold or silver, and also act as an elixir of life that would confer youth and immortality upon its user. As practiced historically, alchemy can be viewed as a protoscience, a precursor to modern chemistry, having provided procedures, equipment, and terminology that are still in use. However, alchemy also included various non-scientific mythological, religious, andspiritual concepts, theories and practices.

P.S. I painted this chart the other night, can you tell I used gold paint? It look really cool when the sunlight hits it at an angle. 

I've always had a thing for native american culture, especially their names! Here are a few of my favorites: Wandering Bear, Born on Holy Ground, Deer Jumping Downhill, Leaping Water, Possesses Magical Powers, Winter Princess.... I'll just stop there. 

I'm venturing into painting more native-american inspired illustrations, there's so much to work with, I'm starting out with feathers. You can check them out here. 

Anyways, I've been trying new things I haven't published yet, inspiration includes: tribal art and alchemy. This is the new color palette I've been working with.

 I leave you with some awesome native american proverbs:

I have been to the end of the earth. I have been to the end of the water. I have been to the end of the sky. I have been to the end of the mountains. I have found none that are not my friends.  (Navajo)

Listen to the voice of nature, For it holds treasures for you. (Huron)

Take only what you need and leave the land as you found it. (Arapaho)

It is no longer good enough to Cry peace, We must Act peace, Live peace and Live In Peace. (Shenandoah)

A few shots from Bazar Fusión this past weekend ♥

Come visit me this Friday! This will be my second time at Bazar Fusión and I've prepared many new things. Map and more info are on the side bar --->

I can't wait to see you there!

♥

Seussisms

I've written about other people who inspire me before, but none like Mr. Theodore Geisel. For as long as I can remember he's been a part of my life. One of my strongest childhood memories is of my sister and I watching an old "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" VHS over and over, and I'm pretty sure we watched it all year long, not just during the holidays like normal kids. We had a bunch of Seuss stories my mom used to read to us and then my grandma gave me this huge book called "Six by Seuss"... which includes stories like Horton Hatches the Egg, To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, The Lorax (one of my favorites!). I remember Dr. Seuss thorough out my entire childhood. Obviously I grew up, grew out of it and abandoned these stories during my teenage years. Something sticked with me though, I'm pretty sure his illustrations were imprinted in my mind and had a huge influence on me wanting to study graphic design. There's just something about his style that is so unique, so.. so.. Dr. Seuss! I admire the way his characters are so inviting, friendly and gloomy at the same time. And every single word he wrote is a piece of poetry. I ended up using him as a huge reference in my college thesis, and... well I could continue writing about him forever. But I'll just show you these simple illustrations I made last night featuring some of my favorite Seuss quotes. Oh! and check out these boxes I painted in ´07.

P.S. People with kids: please give your children the gift of Seuss. I know I will when the time comes!

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.

Tropicalia

You guys have heard Beck's song Tropicalia right? Well this illustration is inspired by that very song! I hope you like it, I can't decide which color background goes better with it. What do you think? 

♥

Hawaii Photo by hawaiipictures.com

Ahhh I just got back from sunny California, a bunch of us went to Coachella for the second year in a row. So so so much fun. After the festival we drove up to San Francisco where I got some feather extensions in my hair in Haight-Ashbury, along with inspiration for this illustration I painted last night.

LOVE TO ALL


Coachella picture by Zaruhy Sangochián 

Ohm

I was hired to design a couple of posters for a Meditation class using my mandala artwork!

They asked I leave space at the bottom of the page so they could edit class times themselves, here is the english and spanish version of the poster.

NAMASTÉ

I've been busy painting illustrations for my new "Branches" series, which for some reason remind me of British Tales and Swedish illustration. I'm having so much fun making these, I think I'll turn them into greeting cards soon!  ♥ 

Workspace

1. General Workspace  2. Baby Carnations  3. Favorite Pink Floyd Song  4. "Branches" Illustration  5. Winsor & Newton Watercolors      6. Martha Stewart Pumpkin Spice Candle  7. My Precious Lavender Plant  8. Pébéo Acrylic Paints 

Japan Tsunami and Earthquake Relief  

I know I'm a little late, but I painted an illustration for Japan last night. I was with a friend a few days ago who has always had a love affair with this country and he inspired me to do my part and help in any way possible. 

I'll be making a few prints for my etsy store of this "Help Japan" illustration and donating $1 of each purchase to the Red Cross.  

(^_^)/~~


________________________________


ETSY PRINT IS UP!

Hexagon- This is a cool shape right? I buy these boxes all the time at a craft store in Mexico City, they're so much fun to make and this is the only one I have left after Bazar Fusion last weekend... (yay!) I can't wait to make some more right away! 

Lately I've been painting illustrations inspired by Yoko's "Revelations" (I wrote a little about the song a few weeks ago) This verse has always felt especially powerful to me:

You are a sea of goodness, 

You are a sea of love.

Bless you, bless you, bless you, 

Bless you for what you are.

The song is so positive, I can't get over it.

Also, I know all I've been painting in the last few months is flowers and foliage, which I love … but I can change it up once in a while! Marine vegetation is lovely too, and my friend Miguel suggested I venture into outer-space designs next, I told him as long as it's nature inspired I'll do it! (sorry I'm no good at drawing space ships or alien life forms)

I am so grateful for everything that has been happening lately. Since I moved to Mexico City the universe has been nothing but kind to me! One of the best things that has happened was being selected to be part of Bazar Fusion which I wrote about a few days ago. I'm especially grateful for my Mom who sent me a bunch of my merch from Cancún with over night delivery, my sister Maggie and my best friend Zaruhy who helped me with my booth during the weekend and my lovely "Fusion Neighbors" Ricardo who makes puppy clothes, Carlos who sells awesome retro t-shirts and J who designs precious silver jewelry. I was kind of nervous for being the newbie and not knowing anyone but these people were so nice to me and it made every day that much funner and filled with joy!

I am also extremely grateful for everyone that showed up to support me and all the new people I met along the way. Your comments illuminate my soul and keep me inspired to keep on painting forever and ever! And thank you readers for giving me someone to share my thoughts with- Bazar Fusión was awesome, I learned so much from this experience, I can't wait for the next one in a few months!

THANK YOU!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way -

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

This is a huge deal! Bazar Fusión is an Art and Design Fair that happens about every 2 o 3 months in Mexico City. A friend of mine took me to the very first one in 2004 and I've been wanting to be a part of it ever since. The timing and material is finally right. I sent them my info months and months ago, and I had almost forgotten about my submission when they called me up and said that I had been selected to participate in their next event... Which is THIS FRIDAY! 

This time it will be held at "Casa de la Cultura, Jesús Reyes Heroles" in beautiful Coyoacán. This "Casa de la Cultura" (which literally translates to house of culture) was built in the 1700's and been remodeled throughout the years, conserving the original colonial style. This place has 3 art galleries and beautiful gardens. I believe our stands will be set up outdoors :) 

So, if you are in the area, please come a visit me. I'll be there from 12 to 8pm everyday! (March 18, 19, 20 and 21) You can find out more here or to submit your work visit their website here.

Hope to see you there ♥ 

Picture and Information source

Oh, Yoko.

Have you ever heard a little song written by Yoko Ono (feat. Cat Power) a few year ago called Revelations? It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever listened to. Every single lyric in that song is a life lesson. Yoko is amazing, I don't understand how any Beatle fan can actually hate her? She and John had a beautiful relationship and she is an amazing artist as well. I've posted the lyrics on my website along with a series of illustrations I will be painting inspired by this song.


 "Transform the energy to admiration

And what you admire will become part of your life."

Sweet Little Gift

I met Dany Choza while working on the Le' Muuch project with Norma (which by the way is a beautiful place, these ladies live in the middle of the mayan jungle, extremely connected to mother nature and the universe). Anyways, she gave me this precious stamp, It's become my authenticity signature for my illustrations and I'm super happy with it. Everything is so much better when it's a gift form the heart. ♥ 

Forest Picture via majimbokenya

A few weeks ago someone wrote on my facebook page requesting I make some of my illustrations available for wallpaper downloads. So here they are! I chose Foliage Dream, Emerald Garden and The Inner Light to begin with, and I'd be happy to make more available upon request. ♥ 

ALL DOWNLOADS AVAILABLE HERE

My Sweet George 

“When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there.”

 I've been watching Gorge Harrison videos all morning in honor of his 68th birthday. Eric Clapton just said something amazing in the behind the scenes video of Concert For George. He said his favorite songs were the ones that were innocent and from the heart, he called them: Spiritual Love Songs. I've said this before and I'll say it again, George is my absolute favorite person in the entire world. EVER. This april will be specially important and meaningful, on the last day of Coachella, George's son, Dhani will be playing with his band "Fistful of Mercy"... not only is the music beautiful, but it is the closest I'll ever be to George. ♥ 

Ohm Shanti Shanti 

This project is really special to me. My life changed from the moment I read "Buddhism Plain and Simple" by Steve Hagen. The path to awakening is difficult but I believe many activities can translate into meditation, in my case it is painting.  Spirituality through geometry is the perfect combination. I can't express how relaxing painting mandalas is. I will be posting all my mandalas on my website, I hope you enjoy them :)  I leave you with is a simple definition of mandalas: Mandalas offer balancing visual elements, symbolizing unity and harmony. The meanings of individual mandalas is usually different and unique to each mandala. The goal of the mandala is to serve as a tool on our spiritual journey as it symbolizes cosmic and psychic order.


Mandalas now available on my etsy shop!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I was inspired to make my own Valentine's chocolate bars when I saw this tutorial on the old Creature Comforts Blog. I hand-painted the labels and printed them out. Here are a few pics of my process.

 ♥ Happy Valentine's Day everyone! ♥ 

ANNE KLEIN

I found this contest on Talenthouse, an online creative, collaborative, community, beginning with film, fashion, art, music, and photography. The high quality creative community gathers at Talenthouse to showcase their creative work, connect and collaborate with other artists. The contest consists of creating something new with Anne Klein's vintage lion logo. I thought it would be fun to give it a try :)

I'm not sure how it works, but I think you can vote for my design here and click on the "Support Ana Victoria Button". I just really like lions!

Editorial picture is from Anne Klein's ad campaign and Scarf from MellowDayss etsy store.