Notes About The Poem

Master Jesús Helguera Mexican Realism - Artistic PAINTING OF MEXICAN                 INDIANS The painter of Mexican Identity

Azteca

Azteca

As a young girl growing up in Los Angeles City
My mother took me everywhere with her
Our favorite Mexican restaurant had great hospitality
Casa De Nina, I enjoyed the music and she, their famous platter;
Guajolotas o tortas de tamal
Desayuno, plato de huevos rancheros
Champurado and pan dulce de Pasqual 
The owner made us feel special, served us our usual

There were, Chicano art hanging 
Some of the most authentic were of Azteca
Roots in the primeval instincts enchanting                              
The details of nature surrounding, alla prima, 
A painting of an epitomal Aztec noble prince
A beautiful princess in his arms, bien fe`rma
The traditional cuadro stayed on my mind ever since
                                                    
There it was, in all places, the painting was everywhere 
La Marketa, the textile district, La Golondrina
Pintura’s de Indios Mexicano’s all about the town square
Olvera Street, even in the Mission at the Marina

As soon as I got home, I cleared away the furniture, 
from up against the wall
In one hand the print on the calendar 
a charcoal pencil in the other I began to sketch it all

A mural has to be painted in close relationship 
to the scale, style, and mood of the interior, 
With regard to such siting, to eye levels, a very good tip
Considerations as light sources, make realism art superior

I hid the paint from my mother and dad
Unnoticeable as of yet, I drew very lightly 
I worked fast with what mediums I had
Brush strokes here and there, ever slightly
Until a finished project, my very first mural

I took her scarf and covered her eyes, 
lead her down the hall and pushed the door
I whispered into her ear, s-u-r-p-r-i-s-e
Happy Mother’s Day, I prepared her a little more 

With her fingers splayed over eyes and lips 
My mother processed, motionless, in awe
Focusing on the corner at the paint drips
she said, I always knew that you could draw
An inspiring experience for the most part
Exhaling—she saw that I was passionate of my Chicana art
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Narain Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 11:27 AM
I am also a painting fan. I saved your painting.
Anaya Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 12:24 PM
Ray this is the work of Master Jesús Helguera Mexican Realism - Artistic PAINTING OF MEXICAN INDIANS The painter of Mexican Identity--his gallery is amazing so beautiful!
Narain Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 11:23 AM
Love the painting and your poem. Nice for sharing.
Anaya Avatar
June 14, 2023 at 12:26 PM
Thank you, Ray! I should add in notes the painting artist name, Jesús Helguera
Romios Avatar
May 13, 2023 at 7:11 AM
Awesome write, painting is beautiful, as are you. This is a depressing weite from your soul You are uniqelly creative and fearless. You play big here. A lesson for all. Pangie x Enjoy Mothers Day
Anaya Avatar
May 15, 2023 at 4:14 PM
Thank you, Pangie! I'm honored!
Maverick Avatar
May 11, 2023 at 10:15 PM
A lot of passion i absorb here, the masculine And feminine age old, anchetype yet vibrant And captivating as ever ' well done all together.'
Anaya Avatar
May 12, 2023 at 8:01 AM
Thank you, Joe! A perfect archetype of the genre, Jesus Helguera's Indios Mestizos' works were a huge influence on me.
McBride  Avatar
May 11, 2023 at 6:39 PM
Love the beautiful story of you with your mom, treasured times and memories, would be a great mothers day poem : )
Anaya Avatar
May 12, 2023 at 7:55 AM
Thank you, Stephen! Hope you have a nice Mother's Day!
Dietrich Avatar
May 10, 2023 at 1:31 PM
haha. I was wondering if this were actually true!! Love how you ended with the Twain quote. He was a true wonder of our bygone era.
Anaya Avatar
May 10, 2023 at 2:28 PM
This really happened, a true story! To rhyme it, I had to change restaurant names, and dad wasn't in the home. I'd say that's about 25%? That's the real painting too! I printed it out today and mailed it to my mom with her card. hee hee :D
Anaya Avatar
May 9, 2023 at 3:17 PM
L.A. Times receives two Pulitzer Prices! 5/9/23
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