Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
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Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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Bautista Mixes Triumph
Can you believe; it has been around a year now that I coped on Bautista Mixes and the little inauguration of his paintings here at the Plaza.
Amazing adventures and advances have passed since that date that I missed.
I went to his village in the Mixes, took those pictures of his work for a client in the states. Bugged a total stranger as much as I dared and really
a whole lot more than I would have rather with correspondences from our hero artist. Helped talk him out of going North illegally. Helped him put
together a package of documents to see if someday couldn't get him up North as a legitimate artist. Otro ves, bugged the client even some more. He
finally got cost worked out, paintings sent there and money received here.
So, I made it to one of Bautista?s shows. Yep, I suited up and went to the inauguration of Bautista?s newest paintings at the Cultural Center here in
Oaxaca last Friday evening. This I must admit, was really quite the gala affair. Ribbon cutting, speeches, congratulations, politicians, the city of
Oaxaca and the Mixes nation really gave Bautista their blessings and congratulations in every best sense of the word. There were some mighty tasty
tamales served by Mixes ladies in their finest traditional apparel. Felix also dressed in traditional white with a wool serape and huaraches. I do
think part of his appeal is his obvious pride in being Mixes.
So, anyway they cut the ribbon and we passed down the hall, and I got to see his latest work and I got to tell you that was the best surprise of all.
The dude's been busy; he has a bunch of new pieces. He is still painting what is closest to his heart, his family, friends; his world as he sees it.
And he has matured so much as an artist over the last year, he is going in a real good direction; two paintings I would love to have, one of a young
lanky character and the other a painting of a young woman from the back, both in traditional costume, in both cases he used the spatula freely and
there is such movement, texture and all these subtle hidden images thru out the one of the woman. Oh man, if I had the money, for sure I would have
that piece. Also, he did one of a plump and very happy woman, maybe in her mid thirty's, again in traditional dress with her arms raised to the sky
and such total joy expressed perfectly in her eyes and smile, just plain excellent. Oaxaca does have good reason to be proud of this young artist.
Felix also showed me the pictures taken so far of his work for his catalog; I must say that they are way better, much more professional than the ones
I took for him last winter. He is putting together a beautie of a catalog, he has some folks who know what they are doing working with him on this.
Yep, Bautista Mixes has accomplished mucho this past year.
In the end, he would not have had this moment of glory if the client up North had not bought his work, (giving him money to buy more supplies and
survive, and also talked him out of going North). I believe those words spoken about his work and the esteem he received last Friday night will be
something he carries with him for the rest of his life. The projects that he has completed and the response he has received here truly justify to him,
his staying and continuing the work on his art. I sure am glad this Oaxaque?o is glad that he stayed home.
[Edited on 9-13-2005 by Eli]
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Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
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Once again, Sara, thank you for your post... for always I am uplifted by your words. I do remember your previous post on Bautista Mixes; thanks for
the update. It's really wonderful how life is unfolding for him, isn't it. And obviously responsibility for a part of that lies with you. Bautista
is truly blessed to have you in his life - but then who isn't?!
If you can score a copy of the art catalog, I'd love to see it in November.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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After reading I wanted to reply but how, now I know, Natalie you said what I would have liked to have said. (I must be really mellow today)
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
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Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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Natalie, for sure I will have a c.d. to show you, very, very soon. It is countdown time. I bought packing crates Sunday, it is getting down to
breakdown camp for home, be seeing you soon and sure looking forward to it.
As to Bautista, he is an excellent study in tenasity, and that perserverences with a little good luck really does futher. I shall not take any credit
for his success, he did that himself, I am just a small piece in the puzzle. Must admit, it sure has been fun watching him grow and take off though.
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Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
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Sara - I knew it was countdown time, but still it's surprising; all seems to be happening so quickly these days.
Safe journey, amiga.
Lookin' forward to hugs in November.
*bump
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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