Feeling At Peace

Hello!  ¡Hola!  I want to begin by thanking everyone for their kind words of sympathy, after the passing of my dog Toto, last week.  I found your words very comforting.  This week has been busy, but I feel at peace.

For my first project, I designed a postcard inspired by Sunday Postcard Art - Cacti, which is being hosted by Anja.  Many Cacti are native in South Texas, where I'm from.  I incorporated a cowboy boot, as it's part of my heritage too.  In the early 1500's the Spaniards that arrived to America, brought horses and began to build ranches to raise cattle and other livestock.  Mexican Native Cowboys called vaqueros, which comes from the Spanish word vaca (cow), were hired by ranchers to tend to the livestock.  They were known for their superior roping, riding, and herding skills.  By the early 1700s, ranching made its way to present-day Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and as far south as Argentina.  Anyway, I used a Notsu Graph 6x4" postard; a Globeland Boot die set; an old Fiskars heart punch I had for the flower shapes; a Pentel maker for the cacti sketch on the background; and Arteza Calligraphy markers set for the lettering.  I am also submitting this postcard to What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 885 and The Neglected Stuff May 2026 Challenge.

This "Underwater World" diorama was inspired by The Dream Factory Challenge #150.  I loved it, because it gave me an opportunity to draw a Kawaii seahorse, which I fussy cut for my focal point.  I used a We R Makers Carton Stamp Board; a Kscraft ATC die set to create the opening; a Baofali 3D Embossing Folder & die Seabed Anchor set, which I cut apart to create various layers; a Sizzix Tim Holtz Gift Tags thinlits set; a seashell; a set of Faber-Castel Gelatos; black markers; various colors/prints of cardstock; washi tape; a miniature clothespin; and a piece of cord.  I am also submitting this to Crafty Animals Challenge #105 and Path of Positivity Challenge #141 (Sweet & 5-layers)

Next, I have an ATC I did for The Little Things - #04 Famous People and Friday Face Off 5/22/2026.  I was inspired by Anthony Quinn (born Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca), who was a Mexican born, American actor.  He was known for his portrayal of earthy, passionate characters "marked by a brutal and elemental virility" in over 100 film, television, and stage roles, between 1936 and 2002.  One of his famous roles was in Zorba the Greek.  He was also a student of architecture, a painter, and a sculptor.  I painted this miniature portrait on a Crescent Mixed Media & Collage ATC, using Talents Opaque Watercolors, Conté pastel pencils, and a black marker.  I used a set of Copic inking pens to do the lettering and Zorba silhouette.  I am also submitting this to ATC Around The World #137 Anything Goes.

            

Last, but not least, I have a montage of pictures I took since my last post.  The first 2 are mosaics of our St. James Episcopal School students during their Cultural Awareness program.  Each class in grades PreK-3 through 6th, learns about a country selected by the teacher.  By conducting research appropriate to their age level, they learn about the country's culture, history, geography, literature, art, music, dance, foods, and more.  Cultural awareness is essential because it dismantles unconscious biases, replaces prejudice with empathy, and fosters love for all our neighbors.

The other two pictures were taken in my garden.  The first one is of a Plumeria flower.  The plant is not native to SW Texas, but my wife has a green thumb, and keeps in a pot to move as needed.  The other picture is of a Lyside Sulphur butterfly, which is found in masses in Texas, during the Spring season.  I am submitting these various pictures to Saturday's Critters #649, Sunday Best # 482 (Thanks for featuring me last week!), and Mosaic Monday No. 189.

Thanks for your visit!  ¡Gracias por su visita!  Hope you'll take the time to leave a comment, so that we can get to know each other.

Shalom,

Arnoldo+