Happy Dia de los Muertos

We didn't ever really "celebrate" Dia de Los Muertos when I was a kid... but my kids today are much more aware of it and maybe even comforted by the idea that we have a special day to remember those people in our lives that we've loved and have gone on to be with God

Some years we go to the cemetary but this past week we just didn't make it. While there are so many loved ones we often think of, the person I think of most is my Grandma. She was such a powerful force of strength to our family and myself. As I thought about all she meant and gave to me growing up, I'll always be so grateful for her inspiration so, so long ago,

when she bought me my first tiny stash of Peruvian beads
from a little vendor in San Juan Capistrano, a small loving gesture that would eventually lead to the beginning
of what is now Bella Luna Arts. Thank you Grandma, I love you.

Milagras & Muses

While I imagine my posts will eventually focus on my artistic endeavors, before I "dive in" I'd like to establish a framework for where these endeavors have come. I'm inspired by color, texture and emotion, by places I've been and those I dream about enjoying. I'm inspired by those I love in my life, my madly creative husband, my rock star kids and my muses, those miracle muses that have always had my back no matter what, my real-life Milagra girls.These are the women of my past and present. These are my tireless cheerleaders, my strongholds of faith and my greatest source of selfish indulgence for which I know, I am so not worthy. So if it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words then I suppose these pictures will tell a little story of their own...