Celebrating Puerto Rico Postcards

 

I'm thrilled to announce the availability of postcards on my sybaritestudio.etsy.com store.

Here's a quick video of them:

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Life's Challenges, Reset, and more

 

Well, from my last post earlier this "Missing Puerto Rico"... I was able to be back on the island of Puerto Rico.  Sadly to say it was not for pleasure instead to help my parents.   My father was in hospital and my mother needed help.  The challenge was getting there safely and waiting to make sure I could travel.

First time traveling to the island where I arrived at night.  Pretty neat seeing the island all lite up from the air....

After several weeks of helping my parents, I left them in good standing.  I'm grateful to my sibling for helping out or else most of the task won't have been completed. Our parents are better today than they were in April.  Grateful and thankful to all the people out there who help my father to recover.  More so during this most unusual period of time --  one word, "Pandemic."

Upon my return home, at the airport as I walked to my gate, I passed several stores but one totally caught my eyes... You can see why....

Look at the sign, it says, "Isla Del Encanto" (English... the Island of Enchantment)
So true, I left this magical place feeling inspired and energized. 

Once home, I took a few days to recover.  Exploring my garden and discovering all the blooming flowers.  This sunflower is just beautiful.  I just had to capture this moment.

Meanwhile, I reassessed the work I left unattended when I left to Puerto Rico.  One project that I had in mind for a long time but had yet to actually address it was to create my own workstation.  Thus, I looked around and saw the opportunity to create one... 

I cleared out my new space and painted it with a vibrant light color to reflect the light in such a tight space. Next up, I went through the recycled materials that I had been saving up for a raining day... After sorting thought it, I found the ideal shelves.  Here I'm installing it.

This small room is coming along... moving my equipment and setting things up... that's gonna take some time to clean, calibrate my equipment and organize my materials.  So far, it's coming together nicely.  

Everyday, I look at my mask creation and think of my recent visit to Puerto Rico, I'm re-energized again.  I can't wait to have this space up and running.  I can't wait to get back to making my mini-Vejigente Mask.   I have many ideas that I want to bring forth.  I want to celebrate Puerto Rico.

The above photo are my original masks that I proudly display on my wall.  I'm having fun creating shapes with them.  Below are the ones I have at my office.  By the time I'm done designing them I'll have most of my wall filled.  It's seventy-eight towns. 

Finally, Thank you fans for your support and kind words.   Every time I receive your in kind messages and reviews, they are greatly appreciated.  Once more, Thank You.

Missing Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a magical place.  Some people call it "The Enchanted Island" while others call it "Paradise", but one thing is for sure---- all who visits and leaves Puerto Rico misses Puerto Rico.

As a famous song says, "En mi Viejo San Juan" (In my Old San Juan) which was written by Noel Estrada.  He wrote it for his brother Eloy who was deploy in 1942 to Panama during the WWII.  Noel's brother had written to him how much he missed Puerto Rico -- that feeling of nostalgia for his motherland is what inspired Noel to write the song.   You don't have to be Puerto Rican to relate to the lyrics of missing your homeland and the desire to return. 

Here's a nice video that further explains the story behind this amazing and most beloved song:

Link: En Mi Viejo San Juan

The first time I visited Puerto Rico I was a child.  I remember it well because it was the first time I flew in an airplane.  My mother was nervous because on the flight to San Juan Airport, the airplane encountered turbulence; I had no idea what that was or what it meant but it was fun.  I thought it was like a roller coaster. Cheerfully enjoying the ups and downs while my mother held onto the armrest.  Finally, we landed and one thing that stuck with me ever since was the cheer that Puerto Rican did soon after the plane landed.   They clapped with joy in celebration to be back home.   Seriously, every trip I've done to Puerto Rico on every landing there is this ritual... I love it.  It's so cool.  Awesome, I found a neat video of this ritual... enjoy: 

Link: Aterrizando Bonito y Suave con Victor Manuelle

Over the years, I've gone back to enjoy not only the beauty, adventures, but also the family and friends. Puerto Rico's richness is found everywhere from the Rain Forest in El Yunque, the desert like forest in Guanica, west coastline ideal for surfing, beautiful beaches all around, and finally, the interior has a vastness of lush Mountains, Waterfalls, Forests and Lakes.  

Furthermore, adding to the richness of Puerto Rico is it's people, culture and food.  Looking back at moments I can't help but to miss this magical place.  

I used to hike to the highest point and absorb the view.  Here's one of the views:

and here another view:

There are times you can experience the following weather: Foggy, Sunny, Rainy, Cold and Hot; all in one day.  That's Puerto Rico for y'ah, but it doesn't last long... usually it's sunny and warm with a soft breeze.  

I enjoyed sightseeing the old San Juan...the old buildings full of color along the coast and the sound of the waves hitting the rocks was a delight.  

I took so many photos and I'm glad because it's gonna be awhile before I return.  Life has a way of changing your path and for me, it's been a long time since I last updated this sight.  During my absence a few years back Hurricane Irma and finally Hurricane Marie just battered Puerto Rico and left those living there struggling.   The damage that Puerto Rico experience was unimaginable as I watched the news and desperate to connect with my parents who decided to retire there years ago. It took several days before I even knew they were alive and okay.   Ever since I've done everything in my power to help them.  I'm sure anyone who has a loved one out there has done the same.  Even now help is still needed out there.   As I watch the news and talk to friends and family I feel at a loss.  

And for a long time I felt a need, a desire to do something and as I learn more about Puerto Rico, something was manifesting within me.   I wanted to celebrating every town in Puerto Rico and then it hit me, why not celebrate each town by creating a mini-Vejigante Mask wall art.

It took me a long time to figure out how I wanted to do this.  I started to draw again and play around with the design, look, and feel of these mask. After weeks on end, one day I lost myself into my creations and began to feel it--- I felt the love for each town and was inspired by their flag.  The first town I made was San Juan, Puerto Rico.   

After I hung it on my wall, I was even more inspired and determine to create my own collection. The first batch I made included the following towns:  Ponce, Arecibo, Lares, Utuado, Adjuntas, Ricon, Caguas, Vieques, Dorado, Abonito and Aguadilla.  

I stepped back and was in awe at how beautiful they looked.  Gradually, I continue to design and handmade each mask.  

It takes me a few days to make one since the process is takes time.  I prefer to have quality work and take my time to ensure it looks good.  Here I am cleaning the edges:

As usual, I end up cutting myself in the process. Those tools are super sharp which makes them ideal for this work.  So far, I have made about half of the towns in Puerto Rico.  

Funny thing is as I worked on my own project, others started to encourage to make them available online, which I have.  I have made them available at my SybariteStudio.Etsy.com store.  I'm humbled by the wonderful response I've received.  Here's one:

and another that appeared on my facebook page:

With every feedback, I'm encouraged to do more.  I'm feeling the love for Puerto Rico.  I'm learning more and more especially the Puerto Rican's passion to honor and remember their family roots... To read their story and to connect the younger generation to the older ones with a common love that celebrates their hometown is why I'm "Celebrating Puerto Rico"

I'll continue to work on these mask...my goal being to have all of them all designed and available for you, too.