"I never want projects to be finished; I have always believed in unfinished work. I got that from Schubert, you know, the 'Unfinished Symphony."  ~Yoko Ono

There is something about unfinished paintings that want to be left alone, perhaps the viewer has the right to complete the work with their imagination.  
I am working with acrylics, using the amazing water-based Americana® Decor™ Chalky Finish paint.

• This paint was originally designed for home decor; to refurbish flea market finds etc. but I discovered it works wonders with mix media.
  

• I have painted directly on wood and canvas using think layers which dry fast enough to build textures with paper and fibers.

For now, I want to share a series of small paintings in progress.

Fall is my favorite time of the year; I love the change of colors and the cooling off, the moon is so amazing, and somehow my spirit soars during this time of the year.
Soon we will be thinking of Thanksgiving and Halloween with family traditions. 
When I was growing up in a small town near Mexico City, I used to help my Nana Maria with her Ofrenda/Altar for Dia de los Muertos, the day of all souls.  At this time of the year, we would be shopping every day for sweets, fruit, chile/mole, flowers and colored tissue paper to make "papel picado praying flags" to decorate her table in honor of her dear departed, in celebration of the dead, yes, we celebrate them as if they could enjoy still their favorite food and drink. It is a day of honor and remembrance. 
I seldom participate in making large ofrendas but always keep small altars at home and also create my little sugar skull dolls and others like the Huesudas , Catrinas and Pelonas...all of them names for the one with skull related figures.

I hope you enjoy these images I have made in the past, others will soon be available, at my Etsy store

Just for today, do not anger
Do not worry and be filled with gratitude
Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people.
Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer of thankfulness
Pray these words to your heart
and chant these words with your mouth
(Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind)
~~The founder , Usui Mikao 

Mountain Song. Mix Media acrylic painting by Griselda Tello.  All rights reserved  © 2014

I painted this recently from my dream walks, those imaginary spaces where the mind travels far away.  It is an oil painting, a 16x20 on canvas.

"Anything is one of a million paths. Therefore you must always keep in mind that a path is only a path; if you feel you should not follow it, you must not stay with it under any conditions. To have such clarity you must lead a disciplined life. Only then will you know that any path is only a path and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you to do. But your decision to keep on the path or to leave it must be free of fear or ambition. I warn you. Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary." 
~A path with Heart by Carlos Castaneda

Someone contacted me with a request, she wanted me to send her a certificate of authenticity for a painting I sold more than 25 years ago.  You have no idea how happy I was to see my old painting and to realize that aside from heavy texture in my new work not much has changed, I still dream of the same places to paint and similar paths to follow.

"Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart, the other doesn't. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong; the other weakens you."
~ A path with Heart by Carlos Castaneda

Paintings and other works of art in this site are my own originals.  All rights reserved  © 2014

"I hope you will go out and let stories happen to you, and that you will work them, water them with your blood and tears and you laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom."
~~ Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés~~ 

I don't pretend to know much about ancient traditions, but they resonate with me and I allow spirit to guide me, making dolls makes me feel good, as simple as that...they make me bloom (using the words of Dr. Estess)  When people ask me why do I make art dolls...my answer is always the same...because they keep me sane and fill my soul with gratitude and peace!

I am sure my dolls serve mainly as decoration to some of my  collectors, but for others they are symbolic of magic and good will, a kind of good luck talisman...quite simply, they are great helpers, little messengers of healing , like an image of an angel by your front door or besides your bed.  I like to think each one of my little dolls finds its own way to your hands charged with good energy and full of creativity, they may serve as a focal point for meditation, as a reminder of intuition, a mandala or a Feng shui Remedy, my intention is to share with others a little miracle which is still working its magic on me.

What do I call them, people ask, to me, they are Spirit Dancers and Bohemian Art Dolls. They are Totem Fetishes, Numen Spirits or Fantasy Art Dolls, they are my interpretation of Manitou, they are Nature Spirits, that is what I call my little dolls a little mystery that keeps on giving me joy.

Bright Blessings everyone,

Griselda

Paintings and other works of art in this site are my own originals.  All rights reserved  © 2014