Aquihua

Aquihua

I have been wanting to do this painting for a long time. I love the light and the spirit of this dancer.

This idea comes from my very first Mexica New Year gathering. It was something I had been wanting to see and even to the day of the gathering I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. I didn’t know anyone, I wasn’t sure what the protocol was at this gathering regarding taking photos and like all other big gatherings, it was a bit of a drive to get there. I didn’t know what to expect.

The first dances were the Ohlone people who were blessing the space and sharing their songs, something else I had never witnessed and was such a great thing to see because it was about honoring the original people of the area. One of the dances was the bear dance and they invited all dancers to come and join them. This is something I thought was so beautiful, the openness to include other nations into their circle is really a testament to the spirit of sharing and oneness of all tribes. Something I don’t always see or feel at native gatherings.

At the gatherings, I try not to focus on any one person when taking photos, I look and observe the light and color and movement to capture for possible paintings. I try to be both in the moment but also detached enough to notice shapes and compositions.

Aquihua is someone I’ve seen several times in various gatherings. I love that his regalia is not as elaborate as others and that to me feels like he is perhaps more about the traditions and the heart of danza.

I respond to the mindfulness and humbleness of his presence. As an artist, I notice people that have visual presence and those that have an internal grace. He happens to have both.

Here's some beginning images of where I'm at on this watercolor. Can't wait to show more!