Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Venezuela Pt. 5

Last night we were invited to dinner at the top of the Avila Mountain. It is literally the end of South America at its highest, northern most point. You need a steady, strong 4 x 4 to reach the top. Very rustic. We already had problems because one of the trucks we were picked up in was a Ford and it over heated. The Toyota 4runner is a champ. Here we are on the side of the trail waiting.

Ascending the mountain there are breathtaking views of Caracas.

This is the view from the restaurant. That is the Carribean ocean out there yonder. Beautiful

The antennas, if you can see them, are the peak. We could not reach that height. The fog started rolling in. It was really beautiful. Dinner was great. Everyone got drunk. I danced. And my cousing is a pro driving intoxicated down a steep mountain with low visibility. Tonight my mom and dad are renewing their wedding vows at the church they were married in 31 years ago. The same church my bro and I were baptized in. There will be a party afterwards, of course. It should be a fun night.

Venezuela Pt. 4

A couple of days ago we decided to visit the Colonia Tovar up in the mountains about 30 miles north of Caracas. On the way up I captured some interesting art. Like this Simpsons piece...

And this is a snake with imperialism written on it with Uncle Sams head being squeezed by the hands of the people. It reads, patriotism, socialism, or death.

Finally about an hour later, we reached the entrance to the Colonia Tovar. The Colonia Tovar was founded in 1843 by German settlers, and the city remained isolated from the rest of the world until 1960, and it is because of that that they have been able to keep their culture and traditions.The majority of its residents are descendants of Germans and have a Northern European appearance.

Here is the village from the top of the hill.

The town revolves around the plaza where the old church stands. There are street vendors selling all kinds of traditional German goodies, traditional Venezuelan goodies, and fresh Strawberries, Raspberries, Peaches, and herbs all grown naturally and locally in the mountains. Delicioso. These kids were riding around in the back of this truck blowing bubbles all day long.

Directions to the landmarks.

My kind of place.

Here we are enjoying some very special treats.

I am eating a very thin wafer sandwhich that is filled with dulce de leche.

Unbelievable. And Josie is eating an ice cream called Torta Suiza, which translates to Swiss Cake. It tastes like vanilla ice cream with bits of caramelly cake. Fascinating.

After a ton of walking, and after eating baked pork knee, a myriad of traditional German and Polish sausages, kraut, garlic infused potatoes, steak, pork chops, and dessert, it was time for Sambuca, espressos, and Almaretto at the very famous and luxurios Selva Negra Hotel. Which means Black Forest. Heres a peak at their wine cellar.

It was very nice and romantic. It has hosted people like JFK and Jackie, Churchill,

the Queen of England and many more. It was built in 1847 and the interior is completely original.

Fantastic. Here is Josie infront of the bottle wall.

Have a good night.

Venezuela Pt. 3

After all the holiday fun we were able to sneak in some beach time. This is Playa Marina Grande. It was a little crowded and the water was brown cuz it had just rained heavily the night before, but all in all it was a great day for a little of the unwinding.

Father Funk and Mother Salsa were extremely happy to be back frolicking in their natural habitat.

Josie is chillin.

Grandma is definitely chillin.

Waves were not chillin.

Here I am convincing Josie to take a dip with me. I won and we had a swell time bathing ourselves in the waters of the Carribean Ocean.

This is the second beach we went to a couple days later, Playa Pantaleta. That translates to panty beach.

I dont know why, but it was definitely a younger, more destructive, cars blasting music kinda crowd. This beach is further down the northern coast of Venezuela than the last beach. The waves were too fierce to swim.

Gotta make sure you put on some block.

Gotta make sure you drink whiskey on the rocks. That is the only way out here.

Oh and a couple of packs of Belmont cigarettes while you are at it. I dont remember much after this point.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Venezuela pt. 2

A couple of nights ago was my cousins wedding. I was in the wedding party and had to wear one of those penguin tail hard bodies. I didnt get fitted for it before hand so it was a little snuggalicious. It worked out though.

I told Josie not to bring any jewels on this trip so Grandma was excited to garnish Josie with some pearls and a silver bracelet. And we were off to the ceremony. It was your typical ceremony in a church. No need for pictures.

After the ceremony, which was lovely, we were off to this night club. Apparently my cousin rented out a night club for her reception. It was a little different, but I applaud her for pushing the envelope. Here we are getting dropped off.

Good Evening.

Pearled out.

I switched from champagne to Buchannans Scotch Whisky as soon as it became available.

Very good stuff. Here I am with Josie and ma heading for Blackoutville.

After a ton of drinks things started to get rowdy. Specially after the garter belt removal with the teeth and the bouquet toss.

So the person who organized the event opened up a huge bag of masks and wigs, whistles and a bunch off other noise makers for the grand finale. Everyone participated. It was like a drunken Halloween Wedding reception. Heres papa Fig feeling crazy.

Mama Fig.

Josie and her golden antennas. I couldnt hold the camera while dancing, taking pictures, and drinking at this point in the night.

None...two.

The next series of pictures is a simulation of what eveyones vision was probably like.

woooo!

creepy.

The next day I spent the entire day on the couch and Josie slept upstairs in bed.

Everyone took the day off to recover.

Today everyone is feeling better. Weve made plans to go buy some fresh mammal flesh for my moms birthday bbq tomorrow night, and weve got tickets to go to the Caracas vs. Magallanes game at the Universitario Stadium tonight. Its a pretty big baseball game. Here is Josie and my Grandma taking down some laundry old school style.

Breakfast today consisted of Frech Toast, Bollos (tamales), and platano. Word around town is that I am going to get my Hugo print framed and then hand delivering it to Chavez himself. Im pretty nervous about that. But it will be epic. Talk to you later about more adventures.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Venezuela Pt. 1

We started our day with a 4am alarm, and after the panick attack of locking up the house, we were on our way to the Sunport. It was early, bad breath among us, but we took off on time headed for Dallas. Goodbye desert.

In Dallas it was all about tea and crumpets. We were starving, and the only availble option was a little french cuisine. Wild Mushroom soup to be exact.

Finally, after our third layover, we borded a plane bound for Caracas and left the U.S. via Miami International. Unlike my second better half, I love airplane food. You only eat it once in a while so it will not kill you, and everything comes in little wrapped savory packages.

After almost a two hour long line of switchbacks and anxiety attacks, we went through customs and we were welcomed by my familty with signs and all. It was awesome. We arrived at my aunts quinta. Paps was there with a cigar, Josie downed a pint of coconut water, and I scarfed down two bowls of Grandmas special soup. Then we consumed some Solera, a Venezuelan pils, and shot the ish for a while.

This morning I walked out to the courtyard and found my dad chilling with Bongo.

Josie and I enjoyed some coffee, sun, breeze, and views from the terrace.

Thats when I decided to smoke again for the duration of the vacation. It was lovely.

Then it was time for a couple of missions. The beautiful ladies needed to get their hair did for the wedding tonight. So we were off to the mall. I apologize in advance for the following pictures becuase they were taking from inside the car with the windows up. You do not want to roll your windows down when you are rolling hard in a Ford f150 thats sitting on 24 inch chrome.

This is the street my aunt lives on. It is purty. In the foothills.

Heres Josie after getting her hair did by a flamboyant Venezuelan hair pro.

She looks great.

Shots from the highway. The classic NesCafe building.

Some pro Chavez propaganda. This ish is everywhere. Along with billboards of Che, and amazing murals. I will try to apprehend some shots of those throughout the trip. I love it.

We picked up my ma who was at my grandmothers house and decided it was a perfect photo op.

From left, me, Grandma from moms side, mom, Josie, Grandma from dads side. These are the ladies in my life, they are precious arent they.

They both got their hair straightened did. Them curls just get too hot out here.

Plus they look good. Here they are talking about it. Mom did it on the downlow cuz papa Fig doesnt like the straight hair.

Now we are getting ready for the wedding. My cousin is getting married. I somehow was able to sneak in this blog.

I have to go put on my penguin tail tux now and be on the altar in an hour. Good news though, I dont have to shave! Gotta go, I will update this blog again soon.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Printing on Sunday

I set the day off with this crispy delicious morsel. It is a "bebe" empanada filled with pumpkin. I love pumpkin. I love empanadas. I love baby pumpkin empanadas.

As soon as we got to the studio it was straight to work. I started rolling up ink, and Señor Fig, the greatest helper of all-time, started pulling proofs. Señor Fig is all about printmaking nowadays and can hang with the best of 'em.

I was anxious to print "1967 Eldorado" since I had just finished it the day before. So I decided to start with it and it turned out to be a dream block, it printed easily. I pulled some nice ones. There's a shot of it drying.

Next I decided to print "Grant Park." I wanted to see if all those textures would translate on paper. There is the un-inked version on the left, and then the inked and positioned on the press by Señor Fig on the right.

And here is the print. Dark, lots of contrast and texture, I'm happy.

A quick break. (Not shown in the picture: my cigarette and Señor Fig with coffee)

Back to work. Next up was "Tu no subes." This f*%$er was a bitch to print. The block had a big dip in the middle of it and I just could not get the sky black enough on the proofs. It ended up printing OK.

The last block to print on the day was "Vendiendo Manis." I was tired, and I had a raging blister on my thumb. Four blocks in one day is pushing it. We had arrived to the studio at 9:00am and it was 3:30pm at this point. I decided to ratchet things up a notch and finish with pride.

The print is solid. They are all drying on this rack in Albuquerque. I will pick them up in a couple of days, photograph them, and get my portfolio ready. I have to write a paper, get myself organized, and gather all my documents for the Jan 15th deadline. If I get accepted to the MFA program, tequila shots and baby empanadas on me. Wish me luck.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

New Block

"1967 Eldorado." F&%kin' bail-out, what bollocks. I spent some time in Detroit when I lived in Ann Arbor, and it feels good to finally use the inspiration I got from the city of Detroit and translate it into a block. Tomorrow I booked the studio for the entire day. That means I will be printing the last four blocks I've done. I'm excited. I will blog the event, of course. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

Name: Enrique

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

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