The Art of Alejandra Maria Espinola, ''La Mestiza'': The Three Parts of Me / Las Tres Partes de Mi; 24'' x 30'', oil on canvas

Wednesday 11 February 2009

The Three Parts of Me / Las Tres Partes de Mi; 24'' x 30'', oil on canvas

Quien soy? Soy una Mestiza. Mexicana, Puertoriquena, Hawaiiana. Sangres de tierras calientes. Sangres con enegias y pasiones. En mis venas corren siglos de la mujer salvaje, libre en espiritu pero en control de su destino. Soy tres mujeres en una, miles de mujeres en una. De donde vine? A donde voy? Solo Dios sabe.

Who am I? I am a Mestiza. Mexican, Puertorican, Hawaiian. Bloods from hot climates. Bloods with energies and passions. In me flow centuries of the wild woman, free in spirit yet in control of her destiny. I am three women in one, thousands of women in one. Where did I come from? Where am I going? Only God knows.

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An Appreciation by Graham Mills; Art Department Chair, Stantonbury Campus, England

The paintings of Alejandra are filled with delight: in nature, in life and in her cultures. It is easy to be charmed by the lyrical passages of paint. But a longer, deeper look reveals more lasting qualities. Images which may at first appear narritive disclose a strong vein of allegory. Rather than being literal transportations of a life well travelled and fully lived these carefully composed works hint at mythical landscapes and archetypal figures. Her sculptures and paintings created over many years reflect Alejandra's heritage, but to place Alejandra in a purely Mexican tradition would be to limit the 'rebirth' that is central to their essence and her being. Paying attention to these wonderfully crafted works, we find ourselves pausing to reflect upon aspects of living. For all their lightness of touch, they teach us something about gravity and everything about living.

Goddess and Saint ( The Two Mothers )

Two Mothers. The oldest is Tonantzin, a major Aztec creator goddess. She is sometimes shown as a two headed serpent, representing the duality on earth, life/death, light/dark, good /evil , etc. The other is the patron saint of Mexico, La Virgen Maria de Guadalupe. The temple of Tonantzin is on Coatepec, ( snake mountain). Ironically, or by fate this is the same location where the Virgin first appeared to Juan Diago, a Mexican peasant. So in this painting I am bringing these two mothers together crossing time and ideology. One received the sacrificial blood of virgins put to death. The other was a virgin and who through prayers and petitions willingly receives our offerings and spiritual sacrifices.

Kanela, The Hawaiian Me;18''x22'' acrylic on canvas

It is so odd that I can actually separate the different parts of me into soul and spirit. My soul is Mexican. It is the serious part of me where most of my life I have existed and been. It is this part of me that is of the land, la tierra. Kanela, my Hawaiian spirit. She is of the sea, she breathes it, her high and lows follow the moon and the tides. How strong was this newly discovered influence on her life all these years. Guagain, love of the South Pacific, wild bright floral fabrics, flowers in the hair. She is the light of the other, where one is knowledge, this one is wild innocence. This is the youth without end.

The Art of Alejandra Maria Espinola, ''La Mestiza''

Wednesday 11 February 2009

The Three Parts of Me / Las Tres Partes de Mi; 24'' x 30'', oil on canvas

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An Appreciation by Graham Mills; Art Department Chair, Stantonbury Campus, England

About Me

Earlier Work

Studies in clay

Ceramics Free Form

Ceramics/Post Classic Mayan Vessels, raku glaze,

Ceramics/Post Classic Maya Vessels, raku glaze

Goddess and Saint ( The Two Mothers )

Ix Chel, Mayan Fertility Goddess;30''x40''oil on canvas

New Studio

Kanela, The Hawaiian Me;18''x22'' acrylic on canvas

MK Art Fair

Moon Vessel

This is me, reflecting on my life