As the feast day of the Virgen de Guadalupe dwindles to a close I have been busy working on a relief print of the OTHER virgin birth, that of Coatlicue bringing forth the fearsome fire god Huitzilopochtli.
Sanctified Huitzilopochtli
Artist’s proof, relief print on paper
This is just an artists proof, it will be part of my series of “Bodega Baroque” votive candles dedicated to the Old Gods.
What I love about living in this region, where devotion to the Virgen is so widespread, is this sense of WHICH Virgen are we speaking of on this feast day?
The kindly brown skinned girl we all love, or the ancient madonnas of Mesoamerica?
Many scholars believe ( as do I) that the dark Roman Catholic Madonna is in fact an ancient, browner goddess.The goddess Tonantzin, “Our Mother”, being a reasonable predecessor ; this link provides some interesting and concise opinions.
Tonantzin-Our Mother (image sourced from link above ).
I’m enchanted most particularly with She of the Skirts of Serpents, mother of us all, but most particularly of the brutal and demanding Aztec fire god Huitzilopochtli. She was about to be torn to shreds by her wrathful children, indignant by her so-called “immaculate conception”; but in a grand bit of theater, Huitzilopochtli swoops in fully armed and annihilates his siblings. A far cry from a sweet nativity setting, but what an engaging narrative.
Coatlicue, from our recent trip to the Museum of Anthropology.
I’ve been working on three paintings, one of which is this virgin birth, almost finished, here is an early peek.
As this is the season of Virgin Births, I have been working on holiday cards. Sadly without a proper press, relying upon the old wooden spoon, suffice to say my right side is aching. Thus far 25 on this “Chinois” paper, still counting.
Well I must get back to work,
until next time take care,
Lg
Boondocks Babylon 
Ah! A feast day for the eyes too! I am extremely intrigued by the sneak peek of that painting you are working on… it really looks incredible! Also, I meant to comment the first time you wrote about making saint candles to tell you I think that it is a marvelous idea. I have a secret and somewhat inexplicable love of them, and yours are wonderful! And the cards look great too… really this post is just overwhelming!
Great to hear from you. I meant to contact you myself when I saw that you were also going to dabble in puppeteering. Looking forward to what you come up with.
Saint candles are just the best:pretty, cheap, emotional, sending forth light; what isn’t there for an artist to love?
Thanks for the encouragement about the painting, truth be told it is a difficult painting for me, back and forth, indecision after indecision. i’m trying to capture the Meso stylization that i find so inspiring and synthesize it with my own developing aesthetic. It AIN’T been easy!
Thanks again, and take care,
Lg
oh, i love this painting you’re working on!! it’s interesting to see your lighting set-up, too, i’m constantly working on that 😛 your cards look fantastic, what lucky recipients!! and the Huitzilopochtli print is a–ma-zing! on fire!! what a post…!
Lighting is a nuisance, this new system, the photographers set up is working but of course takes up space, but so far so good.
I’m happy you contacted me , send me your mailing address to my email @ neobaroque@mac.com.
Lg