La Llorona

I’ve been working on some freelance projects lately, and one of my favorite albums to work to is the soundtrack from the movie Frida. One particular song has been haunting me…in the best way - a song called “La Llorona”, performed on the soundtrack by Chevala Vargas.

Listen as you continue reading – you can find the song here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gQ31m4Yt0s&feature=related

“Llorona” is pronounced: “Yorona” (the double “L” in Spanish denotes a “y” sound), and in Spanish, it means “weeping woman”.

La Llorona is a figure from South American folklore; a beautiful woman who drowns her own children, and upon realizing what she has done, kills herself (or wastes away out of grief) to become a mournful spirit.

There are many versions of this tale. In some, the woman (often named Maria) is vain and promiscuous and kills her children because they interfere with her wonton ways.
In others, the childrens' father neglects Maria, but dotes on the children and she slays them out of jealousy.
In another version, she falls in desperate love with a man who will not accept her children and she kills them in a desperate bid to win his love.
But in every version, after drowning her offspring, she realizes the horrible act she has committed and goes mad with grief and regret.

La Llorona is a cautionary tale; warning of tragic results should a woman deny her primary role as mother, betraying her first loyalty to her children for the love of a man.

The weeping spirit also serves as a boogeyman to frighten children and keep them safe.
The ghost, wasted but still beautiful, with long black hair and a white gown, walks along rivers or near bodies of water, crying: “My children! My children! Where are my children…?”
Naughty children who are out after dark, near the water unsupervised are likely to be snatched away by the mad, desperate spirit.

The song “La Llorna” is one of Latin America’s most popular folk songs, and many artists have recorded versions of it, including American folk singer Joan Baez.

Chevala Vargas’ rendition (recorded when she was 85) is particularly haunting. Her voice has a rough and edgy quality that beautifully expresses the mournful, tragic atmosphere of the story.

Ms. Vargas is quite a character herself.
Born in Costa Rica, she suffered from blindness and polio as a child, afflictions which she claims were healed by shamans.
At the age of 14, she ran away to Mexico to seek her fortune, and became quite successful in the 1950’s and 60’s, touring Mexico, the U.S. France and Spain.
She was, in fact, a contemporary and friend of Frida Kahlo, and they seem to have shared a penchant for non-conformist behavior. It is said that in her youth, Chevala dressed as a man, smoked cigars, drank heavily, carried a gun and seduced women in her audience with the romantic ranchero songs intended to be sung by men.
At the age of 81, she openly admitted to being a lesbian, and has become a beloved icon to Latina lesbians.


La Llorna lyrics (Spanish):

Todos me dicen el Negro, Llorona
Negro, pero cariñoso
Yo soy como el chile verde, Llorona
Picante, pero sabroso

Ay de mí, Llorona, Llorona
Llorona, llévame al río
Tápame con tu rebozo, Llorona
Porque me muero de frió

Si porque te quiero quieres, Llorona
Quieres que te quiera más
Si ya te he dado la vida, Llorona
¿Qué mas quieres?
¿Quieres más?

English:


They all call me the black one, Weeping Woman
Black, but loving
I’m like the green chili, Weeping Woman
Biting, but delicious

Woe poor me, Weeping Woman, Weeping Woman
Weeping Woman, take me to the river
Cover me with your shawl, Weeping Woman
Cause I’m dying of cold

If because I love you, you want me, Weeping Woman
You want me to love you more
But if I’ve even given you my life, Weeping Woman
What else do you want?
You want more?


Now, go back and watch the YouTube video of the song, and if you haven't seen Frida, rent it!


Sources and more info:
artwork by Diana Bryer
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/HC-WeepingWoman1.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4853301
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Llorona
http://www.afterellen.com/People/2005/1/chavelavargas.html

GCI Kama Sutra Award-Winning Monte Cristo with Berry Merlot Sauce

A couple of years before we met, my husband won 1st place in the Kama Sutra category at the Grilled Cheese Invitational with his “Monte Cheesemo” sandwich.
His “1st Place Kama Sutra” trophy was actually the catalyst for our first flirtatious conversation. When I asked about it, he somewhat reluctantly informed me that it didn’t actually have anything to do with the Kama Sutra – that was just the name of the GCI’s “anything goes” category, and his entry had been a deep-fried ham, turkey and cheese Monte Cristo with a blackberry merlot sauce.
It may not have been as sexual as the trophy had seemed to imply, but was it sexy? Oh, yes.
The fact that this man had the desire, skills and creativity to put this recipe together and execute it flawlessly in the heat of fierce competition was no small factor in my falling in love with, and a year later, marrying him.

Ever since learning of his Champion recipe, I’ve asked him to make it for me, since I missed the original competition. He was always willing, but somehow never got around to it until I requested it for my birthday this year.
So this afternoon my husband made a terrific mess of our kitchen, and I finally got to taste his magnificent masterpiece.
The verdict?: Absolutely delicious in the most decadent way!
The saltiness of the ham and turkey was beautifully balanced with the sweetness of the berry merlot sauce. The creaminess of the cheese, the bite of the meats, the fluffy potato bread and the perfectly crisped batter were a divine textural symphony.
This is not a meal you want to eat everyday (well, you may want to, but you probably shouldn’t!), but for a special birthday treat on a warm summer afternoon, it was heavenly!

He even let me document the process, and has given me permission to share his recipe with you.

The Monte Cheesemo
(Ham, Turkey and Cheese Monte Cristo with Berry Merlot Sauce)

Ingredients:
Black Forest ham
Mesquite smoked turkey breast
Potato bread
Ementaller Swiss cheese
Jack cheese
Bisquick
Milk
1 egg
Frozen (or fresh!) blackberries
Merlot wine (the fruitier the better)
Powdered sugar

Method:

Sauce:
In a small saucepan, combine about 8 oz. frozen blackberries, about ½ cup merlot and ½ cup sugar.
Cook over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
“Reduce until yummy”.
Let sauce cool.
This makes enough sauce for about 3 sandwiches. If you’re not making that many, save the extra sauce, chill it and serve it over ice cream for a dreamy dessert!

Sandwiches:
Mix about 1 cup Bisquick with 1 egg and enough milk to make a thin, tempura-like batter (this should make enough for 3 sandwiches).
Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large frying pan.
Layer ham, turkey and cheeses between two slices of potato bread.
Dip sandwiches in batter and carefully put into oil. Fry until crisp and golden brown, turning once.
Drain briefly on paper towels, cut each sandwich in half and spoon sauce over.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar, serve and enjoy!


If you are unfamiliar with the Grilled Cheese Invitational, I implore you to visit their website and take a stroll around – it is quite entertaining (the Rules are especially amusing), and you may find a regional event in your area to check out!
http://grilledcheeseinvitational.com/

A Note About Watermarks

FYI: the watermarks (my signature + copyright symbol overlaying the image) and website URL are only placed on images displayed on the web.
These are devices to help prevent the unauthorized use of my artwork.
It is impossible to keep people from "stealing" images off the web - adding these (somewhat intrusive, I realize) elements is an effort to at least make sure I am identified as the artist and let people know where to go to find more if they like the art.
It can kind of function as a form of advertising, even if people are spreading the imagery around without permission.
In this day of wildfire internet memes, one can only hope that one’s artwork causes a web sensation and ends up proliferating through MySpace like a viral epidemic!
As long as my name and URL are on there, such “promotion” could possibly lead to greater recognition and hopefully, sales!

Of course, there are some people who think nothing of removing any identifying info from art they come across. It is true that the watermarks often obscure part of the image and this can be annoying. Artists have been forced to place the watermarks over integral parts of their images because if they don’t, the info can be easily cropped off, and unfortunately, often is.
There are even those who go to great lengths to excise the watermarks from art they find, removing signatures, copyright notices and URLs from the work (even if it requires extensive Photoshopping to remove overlapping elements) before posting them on their own sites/profiles/pages.
I consider this extraordinarily disrespectful (not to mention illegal).
If you like the work enough to post it on your MySpace page (or whatever), why would you do the artist such a petty disservice?

Whenever I share someone else’s artwork, I make every effort to discover who the artist is and include that information, as well as any relevant links to more of their work.
Not only should we all give credit where it’s rightfully due, we should try to encourage folks to find out more, if their interest is aroused.
And if you want to see the artwork in its full glory, unblemished by such unsightly intrusions, you should pay for it. Artists deserve compensation for their work, just like in any other profession.
Support the artists you dig! Spread the word! We can all use all the help we can get!

*(Steps down off soapbox and clears throat)*

The watermarks and URLs do not appear on my fine art prints, cards or apparel (though there is a tiny, unobtrusive copyright notice at the bottom of the apparel designs).

If you want to share my artwork with others, by all means point them to my website and/or post an image with my watermark and URL.

I even offer free avatar images for use in profiles and sigs, etc.:
http://www.cristinasangels.com/FreeAvatarsPage.htm
These images do not include any identifying info, but I ask that you give me credit and/or put a link to CristinasAngels.com somewhere in your sig or profile, if possible.


On behalf of all my fellow artists, thanks for listening!
:)

Trader Joe’s Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce has never been something I get terribly excited about, or have even paid much attention to. It’s generally an unremarkable mayonnaise-based condiment served with fried fish. Nothing to write home about.
Until I tasted Trader Joe’s Tartar Sauce with dill and jalapeño.
The dill, an herb that’s complimentary to most seafood, adds a lovely flavorful note, but it’s the spicy bite of the jalapeño peppers that really makes this sauce something special.
I like it so much that I’ve been coming up with other ways to use this sauce.
It goes with both the fish and the chips (the poor catchup has been usurped, I’m afraid). It’s great mixed with canned tuna or even slathered on a burger. I bet it would make killer deviled eggs. There's a plethora of culinary potential in this little jar.
I urge you to give it a taste, even if you're not all that into tartar sauce.

In the meantime, here’s an interesting article on the origin of the name “tartar sauce” from The Straight Dope.
And now I am left to ponder the possible significance of my typo-ing “Tartar” as “Fartar”. Perhaps it's best not to think too much about it.

Playlist feature added...

I've been having fun finding "angel"-related songs to add. There are a lot to choose from! Quite an eclectic mix. Hope you enjoy exploring it. I've just been letting it play as I work at my computer.
:)
I know I sometimes find autoplay-enabled music on blogs and webpages to be annoying, which is why I added a note at the top of the page with instructions on how to turn the music off.

What do you think about the music/playlist feature?
Like it or Loath it? Please comment!

INAPPROPRIATE!!!

"Ad Disapproval Reason(s):

* The image of this ad is either irrelevant or inappropriate. Per sections 3 and 8 of Facebook's Advertising Guidelines, the image on your ad should be relevant and appropriate to the item being advertised. Images that are overly explicit, provocative, or that reveal too much skin are not allowed. Images that may either degrade or idealize any health condition or body type are also not allowed. In addition, unrealistic or graphic comparison images are not permitted. If you choose to submit this ad again, please use an appropriate image that adheres to all of Facebook's Advertising Guidelines."

Oops.
I wonder which part I violated???
The Offending Image (above).
I even put little stars on the boobies and everything and they still got mad!!!
:(

Pretty Women...Fascinating...

Why are pretty girls so much fun to draw??? I suppose it's related to why they are so much fun to look at, which I suspect has something to do with primitive drives to propagate the species. Though that does not explain why I, and many other women, like to look at them as well.
In any case, I've been fascinated by sexy femmes for as long as I can remember.
Most little girls fall in love with pretty princesses.
I also fell in love with slutty princesses like Princess Daphne from the Dragon's Lair arcade game. I was enchanted by the transformation wrought on Leah by the captivating Gold Bikini. I was entranced by Frazetta and Vallejo's voluptuous barbarian warrior princesses and luxuriant maidens.
There’s a power in female sexuality – that allure, that temptation, that delightful delectation. It lures us, entrances us…we cannot look away.

Back to the Old Drawing Board

So, it’s been a little while since I’ve done any art stuff. I kinda got burnt out and took some time off. Did some temp work. Looked for a “Real Job”.
Still looking.
The other night I talked to a friend who curated a show for me awhile back and she was eager to see more work from me. Explaining to her that I was taking some time off from art and hadn’t done anything new for months kind of made me feel like a shlub.
Luckily, that conversation percolated through my brain and got my creative gears turning again. The next day I dove headlong into a new piece and began to explore a new direction with my art. Actually, it’s more like refining and expanding something I’d been previously exploring and had kind of petered out on. A bunch of the influences and stylistic things I dig are coming together in a new way that I’m really liking.