Artist Archives 1990's-2009

In going through my files and archives I realized not many of the announcements for art exhibitions and sales I participated in over the years survived. The first group exhibition was for Dia de los Muertos at Galeria Olvera in 1990. The last was Ofrendas 2009: Calavera Fashion Show and Walking Altars at Tropico de Nopal.

Eddie Ayala - PRESENTE!

The Chicano community mourns the loss of its champions for our cause through life celebrations, tributes, memorials and Dia de los Muertos altars. Many notables and non public figures have passed on throughout the fifty plus years since the birth of the ELA Chicano movement and many more will soon follow. Activists, academics, professionals, artists, business owners and community members - young and old - have contributed to the vastness of our cultural collective. Each and every one deserving of recognition and appreciation for their involvement, passion and pride in their Chicano/a/x identity. This time we are gathering to celebrate the life and legacy of Eddie Ayala who passed away at the age of 63 the day after Dia de los Muertos, 2023. I met Eddie Ayala at the tail end of the 1970's East LA backyard party scene where local Chicano music icons rocked cover songs and our socks off for a mere $1 entrance fee. Although entertaining and audience drawing there was a need for...

Griffith Observatory: Face Lift or Slap In the Face?

Don't know about the rest of you but the Griffith Observatory has been a trusted fortress over the years -- a place to retreat when feeling like taking a break from the gridlocked streets below; a place to take first time visitors to L.A. for a spectacular panoramic view of the city from the valley to downtown and out into the ocean; a place to make out like crazy teenagers with a date no matter your age; a place to obsessively stare out wondering where in the hell your mate is on that star glittered night; or a place to reenact the famous knife fight scene from 'Rebel Without A Cause' -- come on Angelenos...you have to know what I'm talking about. I can't tell you how many times I came upon a spontaneous impulse to make a sharp turn up Vermont from Hollywood or Sunset for a visit to the Griffith Observatory. Most of the time it was to clear my head of some dumb situation I was in or it was to get my son out of the house on and off the sofa on a Friday night. Part o...

Breathing Life Back into Dia de los Muertos

It's been several years since I took part in Dia de los Muertos festivities. I was a regular attendee, participating group show artist and vendor at Dia de los Muertos celebrations hosted by Los Angeles Photography Center and Self Help Graphics dating back to the early years when the Chicano art movement embraced the tradition. Over the years the commercialization and mass appeal to turn Dia de los Muertos into another Drinko de Mayo was a major turn off. Having to explain repeatedly that Dia de los Muertos is not Mexican Halloween and seeing how a once grassroots celebration had become over popularized I knew I needed to let it die, and I did...for years. Instead of heading out I would paint my calaca face and sit at home reflecting on loved ones and not so loved ones who have passed. As the years add up so do the numbers of those I've known who are no longer here. Not having a car makes getting around difficult and very few opportunities arise for taking public transportati...

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