Here is a colum that appeared in today’s The Dallas Morning News.

Here is the column:

The county of Mexico like the rest of the world is going through economic hard times, most especially after being identified as ground zero for the swine flu pandemic.  So when Silvia Thornton, Lakewood artists and co-founder of the M Street – Lakewood artists studio tour, asked if it was safe to visit, I said sure nuff come on down, Mexico can use your tourist money – and so she did.

When I asked Ms. Thornton if she spoke Spanish she said, “I know one word, baño,” which means bathroom.  I thought I better pick her up at the airport because she would never get to my apartment: bathroom yes, my place never.

After picking up Ms. Thornton at the airport and getting her unpacked at my place we went to eat lunch at my favorite neighborhood restaurant Kolobok. I like eating at this small and cozy restaurant because they really serve some really great tasting Russian food – funny how we leave Dallas, travel to Mexico City to eat Russian food.  Kolobok even has Russian empanadas, a filled turnover with a crust  – and all along I thought empanadas were Mexican.

After lunch, it was time to take Ms. Thornton to her first stop.  To my surprise she didn’t want to go to Frida Kahlo’s house or some world-renowned museum, but the Basilica to see the Virgen de Guadalupe.  WHAT?  I didn’t ask any questions because she was my guest so off we went to see the deity I call La Virgen.
We took a pesero, a mini bus, to see the Virgen.  All along the route Ms. Thornton was absorbing here surroundings, a natural practice considering that her art works are reflective of people and places she has interacted with.

Ms. Thornton didn’t know the complete story of the Virgen de Guadalupe:  how she made an appearance to Mexican Indian Juan Diego in December 1531or that she was also known Mother of the Americas.  Ms. Thornton was visiting the Virgen de Guadalupe because three of her Dallas friends asked that she visit the Virgen and to light a candle on their behalf.

I found this to be most fascinating that my gringa artist friend was making a pilgrimage to the Basilica for three of her friends all being non-Catholic nor Mexican – but all spiritual.   Ms. Thornton found the miracle of the image of the Virgen to be most spectacular and I found her lighting candles for her friends just as well. Before we left the Basilica, Ms. Thornton herself got a blessing by a Basilica Father. I left getting a better since of my dear and lovely friend wondering how this experience would transcend in her artwork.

One evening after touring the city we made it to my neighborhood cantina, Salon Paris to eat, drink and dance. I couldn’t help but giggle when I heard one drunken guy yell out Barbie, and I knew he wasn’t talking to me.  Being that this IS my neighborhood cantina my popularity went up being that I was with a Dallas Barbie.

Trying to introduce my Dallas guest to my new friends in Mexico City can be time consuming so I threw a party for Ms. Thornton on my veranda where she was introduced to my many of my new Mexico City friends.  We all enjoyed the cool 65-degree summer evening.
It was a most exquisite visit and inspirational for my friend Silvia.

NOTE:  Catch Ms. Thornton’s artwork, which is an encaustic process, a 5,000 thousand-year-old way of painting at the Haley-Henman Gallery.  She is in their Second Annual Group Show titled Summer Series 09 that runs through September 12, 2009.  Haley-Genman Gallery located at 2335 Hardwick Street, Dallas, Texas 75208.  Hours are Wednesday-Saturday 12 Noon to 5pm 
and by appointment.  This exhibit is free and open to the public.  For more information 214-749-1277 or info@haleyhenman.com