A project to resume.

It's been over two years since I started a really exciting project involving line art. I hadn't had the opportunity to mention it in any of my posts before, so I decided that today was the day.

I've been working with Dr. Alan Sandstrom and his wife, Pamela Sandstrom in the production of line drawings of their sacred cut-paper figure collection from an Aztec Indian Village in México [created for curing and crop-fertility rituals by indigenous ritual specialists in the Huasteca region of eastern Mexico]. These adorable and intricate paper cut figures will become part of an extended collection in a nationally recognized library. This is definitely a meaningful project which I am really excited to be part of.

I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Alan Sandstrom back in 2009, after his book Corn is Our Blood had been accepted for translation by Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropologia Social in Mexico. I helped with the generation of line drawings of pre-existing pieces for the book through University Relations and Communications at IPFW. The experience was exciting and challenging -- it was the first time I had to work with line art of such nature!
I never imagined that such experience would transcend and impact my career in such great way.
Although, I had to put this project on hold due to the hectic semester I had with my senior project, I'm glad that it will soon resume and will give me a bit more variety during my creative day.
And while I cannot post any of the actual work in this blog without asking Dr. Sandstrom first, I can share the translated book I received in the mail last year, El maíz es nuestra sangre. It was such a surprise and honor to find my name within the credits in the book!

I don't know what life has in store for me, but I believe that if I embrace every single opportunity I come across with passion, dedication, and optimism, whatever that is, will make me really satisfied.

River Fest 2012

RiverFest is around the corner!
I cannot address enough how much fun this event is. {I not only get to enjoy the many family-friendly activities by the river, but I also get to be a tiny part of the whole marketing campaign}. This will be the third year that IPFW hosts this amazing event and I can only say: I can't wait! Every year gets better, and the best part is... It's free for the public and runs from 9 am to midnight! This June 23rd, grab your sunglasses, pack some sunscreen, and head up to the IPFW campus. I promise you won't be disappointed.

This year's kiosk display, I'm proud to say, was all on my plate. Next time you visit the Glenbrook Square Mall, don't forget to check it out and grab your River Fest schedule of events.

Will I see you at RiverFest?

Life is simple.

Ever since I came across the Holstee's Manifesto I have striven to live by its words. I do believe that life is simple and one should not complicate it with unnecessary drama, unreasonable expectations, unhealthy feelings or grudges. So, when I learned about Holstee's project: My Life, I wanted to send them my two cents right away. I am glad I did. It feels really good to become part of (even a little tiny part) and to spread the word about this amazing celebration of life.

IU mentions my story

It certainly feels good to have IU mention my success story on their Home Pages.

I have finished college, now what?

{proceed with caution: no design material in this post}

I'm happy and anxious to start a new chapter with Ad Lab, an advertising agency here in town. It is a small firm which, in my opinion provides a great opportunity for me to better show my talents and perhaps even grow. I am nothing but thankful that this opportunity came to me at the right moment -- I certainly didn't want to deal with the joy of being out of the market for a long time.

While I sit here writing, I can't help but thinking about what I heard someone said a few years back -- "I don't think you're advertising-agency material". I guess we'll be finding out...
It is interesting to think about how, for the last 25+ years whenever someone has doubted me, I've taken it to heart. It somehow becomes a challenge that I am always willing to take upon... it's the fuel that keeps me going I guess.

The newspaper coverage about my success story was pretty amazing. It has been so nice to receive e-mails from co-workers and friends letting me know they saw my picture on the paper and expressing how happy they are for me. I am not going to lie... It feels pretty awesome!
If interested in reading the article online here is the link: Ana's success story.
Once someone told me that I was going to be famous. While an article on the paper is far from that thought, I feel in my heart I already am!

I am that immigrant.

Although they don't mention my name, it feels good to be recognized. Now, if only my mom could be with me to celebrate...




You might also like: I have finished college, now what?

a different layout

I am done with classes and technically with college (it seams like yesterday when I decided to go back to college). I am really excited about what's in store for me out there in the real world and although I've had better nights for the last couple of weeks, I still can't go to bed without a project or homework jumping in my mind. This time, my homework has been to update my website (online portfolio) and resumeé, which I completely underestimated. So from time to time, I remind myself that it's not all about homework anymore. I need to step aside and take care of things that are part of life, like cooking, cleaning, playing, planning a trip, and of course
trying a different layout for the furniture around the house!