Maria Sanchez

It's a warm Saturday afternoon here in my kitchen, as my mom watches Cantinflas and the neighborhood dogs bark to yet another round of fireworks. Life has changed for me in the recent years, two of my kids are now married, my 30 year marriage ended and my youngest is heading off to university in the Fall. It's been a time of transition, mourning and letting go. In the midst of it all I think I finally found my groove. It's been a difficult few months with all that we are facing in the world and in our local communities with Covid-19, social and economic disparities. Heartbreaking loss of life and palpable fear. Since the Shelter in Place began in March... just days after closing the shop. I've pretty much turned to getting my hands dirty and playing with dirt, literally by planting a new vegetable garden, filling planter boxes and rekindling my love for succulents and flowers. Getting close to the earth has been the most grounding thing during this time. I have a...

I  N  T  U  I  T  I  O  N A new series of intuitive paintings.  Acrylics on Fluid Cold Pressed Watercolor paper.  12 x 12 inches Available in my Etsy Shop  as well as in merchandise in RedBubble .

How are you? It seems to be the question every time I talk to someone lately. So much going on in the world.  I have been home Sheltered In Place with my mom, daughter and sister. I am finding ways to stay busy. It's been a challenge to stay motivated when there is so much sad news. It's times like this where you dig deep, go inside and find hope in all the good that is happening. Staying in gratitude for all the blessings that come my way everyday. I've also been working in the garden, planting seeds as well as returning to my art practice. I used to be prolific painter in years past. The last 4 years have been consumed by the gallery and cafe that we closed in March just a few days before the Shelter in  Place order. I am continuing to curate art as I did before and taking it online just like old times. I think it will be while before galleries open again and because both my mom and I are high risk I won't be visiting them anytime soon. These past few months at ho...

After almost 3 years of not blogging I am back! I'm excited to share what I've been doing for the past 3 years and also share new projects. I could write a book on what life has taught me, but for now I will revive this little art blog. I miss writing and I miss sharing on this platform.While the masses flock to Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and all the other social platforms. I personally miss the intimacy of writing with out word count limits and  hope to filter out all the other noise associated with the other sites. My goal is to simplify where I post and how I share. I hope you join me on this new journey.

Hi all, This blog is no longer  being updated. I've moved my blog and updates over to: http://mariasanchez.me/ Thank you for stopping to visit here. Maria S.

Happy Friday! I had a great week with lots of great news that I hope to be able to share soon. In the meantime I've been spending the little free time I have exploring watercolors and mixed media in the Moleskine journal. Enjoy!   

It's Good Friday and all is good. Sending out love and blessings on this sacred of days. Taking time to reflect on what is good, the sacrifice made many years ago and the many blessings in my life. I can easily sit here and complain about about a lot of things, but choosing not to. Life is oh so short. So I revel in the little blessings like playing with new art supplies. I picked up this pretty pink Moleskine and some watercolor pencils to get me inspired again. Yesterday started with some abstract drawings and today a little more free form sketches. Feels oh so good to see color dance across this fresh new Moleskine. Maybe these will become larger paintings in the next few weeks to come! 

Taking pleasure in the familiar is something that I need to do when life is full of uncertainty. For whatever reason it seems that a lot of things are on the verge of change in my life right now. I am wrapping up my B.S. and trying to decide on graduate school. We are moving soon and looking for a new home, packing and purging is always a treat (not really) but I have to look at the positive. Purging means less stuff to carry with us into our new home. But the process of purging can be daunting. My work life is also in flux. I am making the best of the situation and opening myself up to new opportunities. With all of this change and uncertainly I rely on what I am familiar with to soothe my soul. For some people it's music, a massage or a mind trip into a new book. I enjoy getting dirty... with dirt. I know with out a doubt that if I plant a seed it will bloom. Spring will always come, tulips will bloom and our California hillsides will be bright orange with poppies. They are f...

Change is in the air I can feel it. Can you? This time of year always reminds me of how we all have the potential to grow, change and improve. Bloom... yes?  It's been a few months since my last post, and lots has happened since December. I've been very focused on finishing up school and working on some larger personal projects. I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and will be done with my B.S. come May. I also was given the opportunity to curate a women's art exhibit En Plena Flor/In Full Bloom for Puerto Alegre in San Francisco (runs through April 28th). March also ushered in the launch of my personal MariaSanchezGallery.com that will focus on representing emerging & mid career artists in the Contemporary Modern Art space with a focus on Latin@ artists. I also had the opportunity to be in a group art show in Oakland at the Beso Maya Gallery that will be up until the end of March. Valentines' was spent with Tim and the girls on a road trip...

I've not had much time to paint, between work and evening classes. But I did over the holiday weekend find these lovely woodblocks that my niece gave me many years ago. After doing an inventory of my supplies I found them and decided they were perfect for virgencitas, madonna and child paintings. Here are what I have so far. Stay tuned as I will be making more of them. I will have them available for sale at Galera Beso Maya, in Oakland CA.through March, 2015.  

I finally got around to putting out some Fall decorations. Keeping it simple mostly just some garland, twinkle lights and some mini pumpkins.  I love this time of year even though it's the busiest time for me. Here's to a fog filled days and cool nights. The smell of canela spices and brown sugar.  How are you decorating for Fall?

If you are out and about the Bay Area, please stop by and visit these locations. My artwork will be on display and for sale.  check it out! RICHMOND, CA. Familias Unidas, 35th Anniversary, Dia de los Muertos Benefit/Auction, October 24th. click for more info (curated by Dr. Martina Ayala) SAN FRANCISCO, CA. Mission Education Development Agency (MEDA), "Arte en la Plaza", group show, (curated by Global America), October 18 - December 18th, 2014 SAN BRUNO, CA. San Bruno Framing and Art Gallery, "Bohemian Nights" (curated by Global America) Sept 9th - October 15th, 2014. (group show) SAN FRANCISCO, CA. Antologia Vinoteca , Hispanic Heritage Month. August 24th - October 27th. (Curated by Global America) Sales  Contact: 415-685-7866, americaj@gmail.com ,  Address: 515 Broadway St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Antologia Vinoteca , SF. Artist Reception Friday Sept 5th. 6-9pm in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. My artwork will be on display from August 24th - September 27th. Global America and I gladly invite you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Antologia. For Questions and Sales contact: Global America 415-685-7866 americaj@gmail.com Bay Area friends I hope you'll come out. They have one of the largest collections of wines from Latin America. Hope to see you there. Curated by America Jimdela . http://www.antologiasf.com/ Antologia Vinoteca 515 Broadway St San Francisco, CA 94133

So far we are on Day 13 of the ABLA 30 Day Art/Creativity Challenge. This is the first self-portrait I've done. Come check the beautiful artwork that has been shared over on the ABLA Facebook wall. You can visit us here! https://www.facebook.com/Artbylatinaartists?fref=nf

Are you looking to wake up your art muse? Here are some creativity/art prompts to help you along the way. Join us on this 30 Day journey into creativity. See you over on the ArtByLatinaArtists, Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/Artbylatinaartists    DAY 1: CONNECTION,  "We are all Connected", Mixed media collage & ink. 

2014 Upcoming Exhibits: SAN FRANCISCO, CA July 1st, 2014 Pasion de Frida (in celebration of Frida Kahlo's birthday) Puerto Allegre Restaurant 546 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 Group show, curated by Bird Levy. Currently Exhibiting: OAKLAND, CA Journey of Motherhood, Group show curated by Valerie Medina Urban Furniture , 3241 Grand Ave. May 1 - June 1st. HALFMOON BAY, CA Luz Luna Shop 527 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA SAN JOSE, CA Catholic Charities, Eastside Neighborhood Center. On permanent view...a selection of paintings from my personal collection are on display at Catholic Charities (Eastside Neighborhood Center) of San Jose, they serve the local low-income senior community thousands of meals every year. Please support this very worthy cause. Visit in person to offer support by volunteering or by financial donation.   Catholic Charities, Eastside Neighborhood Center 2150 Alum Rock Avenue San José, CA 95116 408.251...

I've not posted very much here and for that I am sorry. I have been pretty busy with classes and homework and just trying to juggle everything. I am also writing a lot (for evening class) and mostly sketching when time allows. Here is a recent one, exploring fear and the fear of telling stories as I embark on a new venture of creating stories for children's books. I know that deep inside of me there are so many little stories to told and shared. In the meantime I am learning from a wonderful mentor and teacher Maya Gonzalez. Learning to open heart and listen to the stories that want to be shared with children. Learning to play with new mediums and overcoming the fear associated with trying new things and coming the realization that fear will always be there. I need to ignore it and just write, explore and let the words flow. The same way I do with art and painting. The brush takes on it's own magic and it releases what needs to be released. “It is not fear that stops...

Two new paintings El Sol y La Sandia.. subjects that I always go back to, they are like comfort food to my soul. I've always enjoyed painting them. Plus they remind me of summer and I'd much rather be enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures than the cold of winter.  They are both acrylic on canvas panel and are available in my Etsy shop.

This year I was blessed with the opportunity to share some of my paintings for Dia de los Muertos at Galeria Beso Maya , in Oakland California. I hope to see you there 6-10pm this Saturday, October 26th.  Group show with Oscar Cisneros, Martha A. Rodriguez , Alejandra Oseguera-Palacios , Adrian Delgado, Kathleen Rojas & Valerie Medina. Thank you Yarita Joon.  Images: Galeria Beso Maya (Yarita Joon)

I've been painting lots of Catrina's and hearts lately. The Dia de los Muertos season is in full effect this year I was able to paint a few Catrinas and Painted ladies to my series, along with several new heart paintings. Here are a couple of the latest. The corazon is now available in my Etsy Shop. The Catrina Rosa is available via UGallery.com . The little Catrina was featured as a "staff favorite" this past week. :) thank you UGallery.