Two Beautiful 2015 Agendas from France and Colombia

Nothing makes me happier than when my art travels the world, in any form. The last couple of years, I have been very lucky: a group of women in France publish a beautiful agenda full of information and art, and they have chosen several of my pieces to illustrate some of the pages for the last three years. This year my drawing, In the Lap of the Goddess, appears in the inner cover. 

And also this year, I am super excited to have been chosen as one of three international artists for the pages of Agenda Mujer, published in Colombia. Martha Elena Hoyos, co-creator of the agenda, contacted me earlier in the year and a fews months later, this beautiful creation arrives. 

My heart is full of gratitude and joy for these beautiful gifts! 



 Beautiful Martha Elena Hoyos shows the planner.

Cacibayagua, Honoring your Skin


The Four Daughters of Eve, The Whispers of Legacies


Inriri, footer


Blue Hair, Cultivating the Territory of the Body


Ofrenda del Corazón, donated to Michael's Legacy for their annual fundraiser, Vital Co-Inspiration


Mary Magdalene Tile (Based of Mary Magdalene of the Roses, painted for Melissa Mark-Viverito), Text: "Mary of Magdala"

Find prints and greeting cards at La Casa Azul Bookstore

Blue Hair greeting cards and prints are currently available at La Casa Azul Bookstore in East Harlem.

If you are in East Harlem, arrive at 103 street on the #6 subway and walk a few steps east to La Casa Azul Bookstore. Not only is it a great bookstore, but you can also find my prints and cards there as well as other work and books by local artists,such as Lina Puerta.

On December 7 from 1-5 p.m., I will also be participating in the Artist's Marketa at this wonderful place in my neighborhood. Take the afternoon off and come by La Casa Azul Bookstore!

Ninth Annual Puerto Rican Artisans Fair and Exhibit

This has become the main event of the year for me. This year I started preparing even earlier so I could bring larger pieces and lots of gift-appropriate art and hand-painted jewelry for the hundreds of people who attend this event in search of their Christmas gifts. Please save the date and come to Hostos Community College on Saturday, November 22 to experience the beauty and variety that Puerto Rican artists and artisans have to offer!

I'll be present until the end of the day, on the First Floor around the theater area. See you there?

From Elisa E.

Elisa allowed me to share her words and her love. Thank you Elisa, for your support and for your words. It means so much to me I don't have words to express it. I will just say my heart is filled with gratitude for your loving and constant presence in my life and in my work. 

Goddess of Rebirth (butterfly), Swiftness (humming bird), and Charm (monkey), Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16", 2013.

"I met Tanya Torres fall of 2012 at an event  at Hostos Community College. I was there to support a friend who was dancing in a show that evening. As I entered that big crowed busy hall - I was attracted to Tanya's table instantly - her incredible muse tiles catching my eye and those great pictures with brilliant colors and unique style - took me back to D.R. I introduced myself - talked briefly about her work and bought as many things as I could carry and afford that day. Days/weeks later still riveted by our meeting - because I believe strongly - people cross your path for a purpose. I started pursuing through Esty - Tanya's blog literally taking in every single one of her pieces. I saw the piece Asiray and became enthralled - it immediately screamed "I am Woman" - so of course impulsive me proceeded to contact Tanya about acquiring this piece  but alas it was not for sale as it was one of her first pieces. Tanya who saw that I was very interested said that she was willing to create my own Goddess... imagine my thrill to have my own Tanya original 

- dedicated to me - perfect treat for my birthday and everyone who knows me know I take birthdays seriously - it is after all a celebration of "ME" and what better way to celebrate that a goddess painting, that would inspire me, highlight the woman who is beautiful on the inside and out - with all of her curves/voluptuousness and freedom to express herself.

Asiray, oil on canvas board, 12" x 16", 2000

This was indeed an incredible gift for which I am eternally grateful for Tanya to have made this possible. After a tumultuous few years of challenges - personal bottoms - health and other  - this painting became the vehicle of renewal - the reminder that I am strong invincible that no matter what I can overcome all obstacles - to accept me with all of my flaws, imperfection and to appreciate my vessel - this one body that is mine to take care of in this life.

I have my piece now carefully nestled in what I am now creating my inspiration altar where I can see my goddess - to renew myself daily, celebrate being "me", and living each day productively - "to its fullest" etc. I continue to cultivate this relationship with this amazing artist - follow her ethics - workshops - events  the occasional visit to the studio that immediately stirs creativity within me - even through I don't have her artistic talents it still breathes new life into the soul to be in her presence. I'm excited to be in the process of acquiring two more of her amazing pieces - Naturaleza and Moon Water Dance.  Looks like I'll need a gallery someday!"

 

Naturaleza, Acrylic on canvas, 10" x 10", 2014.

 

Moon Water Dance, Acrylic on canvas, 20" x 16", 2014.

 

Mary Magdalenes

I am almost ready to travel to New Mexico for our Mary Magdalene Celebration and the exhibition of my Mary Magdalenes at El Chante Casa de Cultura in Albuquerque (see below!) Here are two new paintings I completed before leaving, with sunflowers courtesy of my husband. In the background is Mary Magdalene by Jasmine Becket-Griffith, for extra inspiration.

Please join my VIP list to view new art first!

Mary Magdalene of the Butterflies, Oil on canvas, 12" x 9", 2014. Sold

Mary Magdalene of Growth, Oil on canvas, 12" x 9", 2014. Sold

Prayer by Papoleto

Prayer, from the Oracle, a series of 49 digital images by Tanya Torres, 2014.

“For Prayer’s Sake”
By Jesús Papoleto Meléndez


He who does not pray,
As a Slug without a shell,
Walks unarmed each day.

***

It is almost official: Papoleto and I are making a book. We don't know how, we don't know when, but this is the second poem.

If you take a deep look at Prayer, you might notice an image behind the word. Do you know who it is? I chose her because she is one of those saints who receive prayers from believers, atheists and agnostics alike.  Even those prayers that you don't actually make, but send from somewhere deep inside, where the mind can't penetrate. 

The color of the words in the oracle also has meaning. Yellow is for wisdom. 

Here is a link to all the cards in my new website: http://tanyaetorres.wix.com/artbytanyatorres#!oracle/c8ph

And if you would like to see the Oracle on a wall, come by the Bronx Art Space. There is an event tomorrow night:

Oracle at Bronx Art Space: Some memories

Healing, from the Oracle, a series of 49 digital images by Tanya Torres. 2014

Healing
by Jesús Papoleto Meléndez



I.

I loved you so much
once; Now I can’t remember
how we used to kiss.




II.

Love acts as Nature;
Breeze in the trees’ memory,
Fleeting as snowflakes.



The opening of Passages was a success. The Oracle was on the wall, not as I originally intended, but it worked well. The images were placed randomly on a large wall, forming a square. The first card I made was in the center: Peace. The four elements surrounded it. And then the other cards. 

As the night went on, I gave out the matted oracle cards I had prepared for the guests. Each person chose one without looking. And the stories, associations and coincidences began happening. 

The woman who got "home" had the most amazing story: there is a pregnant belly image. Her husband wants to have a child now that they have a house and proper jobs. Then her friend, whom I had met briefly at another event and given an inspiration infusion (she actually did quit here job after that, she told me… always makes me feel a little guilty and a lot happy for her…) came back to ask me about the background image in her card "vision". "Is it an Oscar?" she asked without daring to believe it. When I said yes, her smile was even wider. She said it was the perfect card for her.

Another woman got "bliss". Her son had graduated from high school that day and she was feeling very happy. It was the right card for her. 

A man got "fire." I could almost have guessed that would be the card for him. He told me that it was the card he had been looking at on the wall. And that it was perfect for him.

My friend Sery got "abundance." He said his house is decorated in green, and he embraced abundance. It worked well.

Some people were afraid to look at me or come get a card. I must have been a strange sight. An artist actually talking to strangers in a gallery opening.  I would catch their eye sometimes, and invite them, but still, they stayed away. Then at the end, I left a few on the pedestal and went to sit away from the crowd. Then I saw some of them go and pick one. 

And Papoleto Meléndez, the Nuyorican poet, got "prayer" but said that he had a poem for my oracle, titled "Healing." I think it is the perfect poem, it is the poem that predicts the Oracle.

He told me that he wrote this poem when he realized that he was thinking about a woman he had loved a lot, but he could not remember how a kissing her felt. Then he found that the poem he wrote had the structure of a haiku, but a haiku needs to be about nature. So he reworked the poem, and II. was born. I think both the poem(s) and the process are enlightening and beautiful.

Later that night, a cup of wine fell on the extra deck of cards that I had left there for people to see and play with. Peggy, the poet, said that it had been approved by the gods. Those who know about Afro-Caribbean religions know what she is talking about. Her words helped me get over the confusion and disappointment I was beginning to feel. It did get a little crazy in the Bronx Art Space as the audience grew around the poetry and rearranged the art. But I'm sure it all ended up well in the end. (Except for my oracle deck, which was wet…)

I had to leave, but here is a picture. 

Oracle at Bronx A rt Space, part of Language is Identity,
curated by Yolanda Luz Rodríguez Delgado and Josué Guarionex Colón. Photo by Josué Guarionex. 

If you want to see the Oracle in person and do the card reading, then be in my VIP list so I can invite you to my studio when I come back to New York after my two summer journeys to New Mexico and Puerto Rico: Sign up for my VIP List in my new website. Or come to New Mexico and join me at Bright Rain Gallery on Friday, July 18th at 6:30 p.m. for a presentation of my objects and a poetry reading from my pendant book Sophia's Light. 

Thank you Papoleto for sharing your beautiful poems. And thank you all who attended the exhibition!

Opening This Thursday at Bronx Art Space

Join us in Albuquerque

I know it sounds a little over the top, but I am inviting YOU to join Raquel and I in Albuquerque this year, July 18-19, 2014. What for?

• Friday, July 18: I will be at Bright Rain Gallery with a selection of my handmade objects and a poetry reading from Sophia's Light, my latest handmade book. It is so tiny you can wear in close to your heart! Join me at Bright Rain Gallery in the evening. More information to come!

Sophia's Light, an edition of 100 handmade miniature books.

•Saturday, July 19: We are gathering at El Chante Casa de Cultura for our Mary Magdalene Celebration. We will have a ceremony and you will make your very own mini-pendant book:

And as we make it, we will talk about Mary Magdalene, our stories, discoveries, ideas, inspirations, culminating with Raquel Z. Rivera's 7 Songs of Praise for the Magdalene

and the opening to the exhibition of my Magdalenes in the space of El Chante.

The events are free and you can bring your whole tribe with you. For the workshop, please let me know that you will participate so I can have your materials ready. And Raquel is asking everyone to join her in singing the songs. It will be magical!

Mary Magdalene of the Light, Oil on Canvas Board, 20" x 16", 2010. Also called "my modigliani".

•And… it will be Frida Kahlo Weekend in Albuquerque! Sounds fun, doesn't it? Bring your eyebrows and ribbons!

One of my Frida tiles, 2014. Have you seen this.  Not is you are not part of my VIP list! Sign up here: http://form.jotform.co/form/33406914001846? 

Will you come?

Free Miniature Book Pendant Workshop at El Chante, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Join us in this celebration of our muse, Mary Magdalene, and take home a little book full of inspiration made by you! It will be worth the trip to New Mexico!

Mary Magdalene Celebration 2014

Saturday, July 19, 2014 

at 

El Chante Gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Free, RSVP is Required: tanyaetorres@yahoo.com

 Please share with a friend who lives in New Mexico!

Gifts of Art and Life

Cacibayagua, Interpretation by student in my friend's Evelyn Velez Suarez art class.

Mary Magdalene of the Tears, Interpretation by Anamiah Fortuna, a student in my friend's Evelyn Velez Suarez art class.

Am I a blessed artist or what? I think these are so cute that I want to cry. Thank you Evelyn and students for sharing these with me!!!

The Oracle

Description: A series of individually designed cards featuring words that the artists uses to create her own reality of peace, love and joy in an effort to give the world these qualities through the interaction of the public with her work. Going beyond identity as national identification, gender, class or other means of labeling humans, she seeks to create identity through a direct connection to the human soul. Oracles have been a means to foretell the future throughout history, and are currently a popular tool for meditation and enjoyment of beauty. By creating her own oracle, the artist becomes the oracle and art becomes the voice of the Divine.

When Yolanda Rodríguez invited me to participate in an exhibition she and Josué Guarionex Colón are organizing, titled Language is Identity, I thought about what exactly is my identity, in my own mind, at this point, and what parts of language represent that idea of myself. I often hear words in my mind, and hold them as I work. They are the starting point of many pieces. Although for this piece, I got help. My Facebook friends offered many words some months ago, when I posted a call for help with my future "oracle". I would say all these words lead to "artist," the identity I began creating in 2005 with my "secret" blog Hoy, Artista. I don't even remember how I came up with that title, but it was an affirmation. And little by little, one step at a time, one word at a time, I have transformed into my own kind of artist. I have so far collected about 100 words, and am working on the images for the oracle cards that I will be presenting in the exhibition. The images in the cards are my associations to the words, what comes to mind first and what I can find to fit that idea. My inner being slowly emerges at I create, very quickly, each card. In the end, they will all hang together as an invitation to the viewer to find the words and associations that connect with his or her own soul. Language is Identity  
June 26-July 19
at Bronx Art Space
Co-curated by Yolanda L. Rodríguez y Josue Guarionex Colon-Rosado. 
Join us on June 26 to get your own art-guided oracle card: https://www.facebook.com/events/1430366973878143/