My mentor's mask making studio in the heart of Mexico City.
Our day at Teotihuacan. How can one not be inspired in this place!?
I am often asked when I first got the inspiration for betsy & iya. I often reply, "Mexico City." The vibrant life and culture (literally, in color and also in spirit) paired with a strong maker community made it a personal breeding ground for inspiration. For the entire time I lived there, I was completely immersed in the creative community that thrives there. At the time, my focus was mask making and mask performance work. Yesterday, I spend most of the day at the library, gathering ideas and inspiration for a new collection. Most of the books I chose were connected to Mexico in some way or another. After about an hour flipping through, I came across a section dedicated to a master mask maker from Veracruz. After reading further, it occurred to me that I had met this man--I spent time in his beautiful studio, watching him work. I had the pleasure of visiting many mask studios while we were there. Their wood work fascinated and inspired me so much. This realization kind of blew me away. It felt like a sign, like wherever this inspiration leads, I'm in the right place.
He signs my mask.
Old and new traditional Mexican masks in the beautiful home of Alicia Martinez Alvarez.
The joy of this mask maker touches my heart!
A drawing I did of Alicia while we lived in Mexico.
Inside the studio of well-known Veracruz mask maker, Lino Mora Rivera.
I discovered his photo in this book at the library yesterday. I've been in his studio in Veracruz.
Mask making day in Mexico in the outside bright and sunny studio.
A mold of my head and the start of my mask
Margot van Voorhies Carr inspiring work.
This color! The feeling! Gah! Mexico, I love you.
Gathering inspiration at the library.
As I mentioned on instagram yesterday, I cannot WAIT to get my hands dirty. Thank you for the inspiration and kick in my butt, Mexico. I miss you. xo~betsy ***Song of the Moment: Impressions, by Danilo Perez***