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Maria Sanchez

Visual Artist

Painting at about 50% completed.

A little bit on why I painted it this way and my style of painting.

I paint in almost a child like style that is very primitive, but I try to leave no stone left unturned on the details. The street is rounded to capture the perspective (AIW) "alice in wonderland"** and to give the illusion of movement and history on the calle. I can remember walking on it and feeling how the bricks were worn and even seemed to be rounded from the constant foot traffic… that it has seen over the many years. I wanted to capture the fact that Calle Olvera was alive and flourishing even after 75 years.

Showing merchants, the tree in the background (symbol of life and growth). The warmth that you feel when experience Olvera. I used the sun peeking out from behind the buildings and the tree to show warmth. The child on a mother’s lap. A lot of the merchants children have grown up on this street.

The dangling folk dresses in the traditional Mexican style. Pinatas hanging in the distance. Colorful flowers in clay pots scattered on the street. The beautiful bouganvilla on the right side. The papel picadostreamers to remind of us of all the wonderful celebrations throughout the year that take place here. The children united by their hands a symbol of unity, family, friendships. The cross to symbolize faith and all the religious celebrations that also take place here. Las posadas, blessing of the animals, etc. I even painted a little child with the calavera face to remind of the day of the dead celebration. And to also add a little bit of whimsy. The buildings were a little hard to do simply because I didn’t have a lot to reference them.

Gracias,

Maria Sanchez