✷Yesterday was my 31st birthday✷

It’s been four months since my last newsletter—and I am happy to report that I have been slowly falling into this year. This was my first year not completely racing to the “New Year,” mainly because I couldn’t keep up! I reminded myself of my natural cycles, and don’t get me wrong—I still love the New Year, but I celebrate my birthday like a New Year, too. So…

I begin in April.

For the past few months, I have been practicing pause, and embracing slowness. I was lucky enough to travel and feel the sun on my skin, hold an alligator (!!!), finally see work from two Ecuadorian Artists: Juan García Salazar’s grandmother’s boat seat at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and see a painting by Mar Figueroa at the National Portrait Gallery; all while catching the Cherry Blossoms in D.C on the windiest day.

This year’s slowness still allowed me moments for collaboration and creating new work.

In JANUARY, alongside my friend and fellow artist, Rosalba Breazeale, I juried the 2026 Juried Student Exhibition at USM (my alma mater!)—thanks to the invitation from Kat Zagaria Buckley, Director of Art Exhibitions and Outreach at USM Art Galleries.

In FEBRUARY, I was connected by the Indigo Arts Family with Portland Ovations to host a workshop during the pre-dinner gathering before Samuel James and Michael Kebede’s “Haint Blue: A Night of Songs, Stories and Traditions". I hosted“Haint Blue Offering”—a workshop exploring a painting prompt inspired by protection, the color haint blue, and the act of creating our own sacred spaces of safety.

On the first day of MARCH, I dropped off a new painting made in February at the Buoy Gallery for their Annual ARTPM show that is open now through May 16th. March also blessed me with traveling to New Orleans and D.C., and new ventures in logo design for Indigo Oyster Co., and a photoshoot for Samuel James, Florence Edwards, and Kenya Hall’s new season of the podcast, 99 Years.

I say slowness and pause, but life is still very full.

Yet, I feel like I am just beginning. I’m excited for how this year will unfold, with upcoming projects, new classes, new work, an updated website (finally! stay tuned!), and more moments to make art and memories with my loved ones, or in the small moments of beauty and joy in the everyday.

Above: “LIGHT THAT SHIT UP” —a birthday cake for my mom on what would be her 66th birthday, and also my new motto for this year/life?

I made some new paintings on khadi paper that I absolutely love. I feel something magical within them, and it was hard for me to let this piece leave the studio for ARTPM. But I am leaning in to sharing the work I feel most excited about when I am most excited about it.

I started this piece back at the end of January, after nearly a month long hiatus in the ceramics studio after the holidays. It’s my tallest piece to date, although I haven’t measured it yet. I just know it is. And I used a combination of white slip and orange, pink, and red underglazes to paint a washy, gestural background I could then carve. I am not sure how this might turn out but I am excited by the symbols carved into the surface, pulling inspiration from an Ecuadorian ceramic stamp dated around 500 B.C - 1500 from the Northern Ecuadorian Coast. I remember finding this stamp, a little awestruck by this floral symbol that feels so similar to my own floral affinities in my life and artistic practice.

The Protection Prompt below was what I created to share with guests of my “Haint Blue Offering” workshop at Portland Ovations. I have some leftover—if you’re interested in one, reply to this email with your mailing address and I will send you one. Snail mail! On one side is the Protection Prompt and the other side is a simple light ultramarine outline of my altar shape. Guests were invited to explore the prompt through painting and writing, and afterwards, share a reflection into a clay vessel as an offering.

Image 1: Some visual explorations with butterflies and my altar shape… I am scheming and dreaming….
Image 2: A collage from Tender Table’s virtual collage night.

Nighttime, winter Raquel—-Springtime cherry blossom Raquel

They say April showers bring May flowers.
I will say, I am happy to have seen my first crocus a few weeks ago.

The B&W photo above came from my 2021 April newsletter. It was very sad. I was very sad. And frankly so deep in grief. I took the photo of my reflection in the large window of the Ewing House at Timber Point Trail. It is in black and white but it truly was a gray day.

Below, is a photo I took back in February on a snowy winter walk with Flo. It was such a gorgeously cold, sunny winter afternoon. I didn’t realize how much different I felt while taking the photo until later. The stark difference between the two—the light, the color in the sky, my smile… I feel that light. I feel closer to myself and more connected to my grief as I live my life. I am happy. And I am so grateful for this moment, this reflection, and this growth that has led me to this point in my life.

Cheers to all my fellow Aries out there. IF you’re an Aries, let me know!! Happy Spring! I can’t wait for the tulips and daffodils, more sunshine, less heavy coats…

May these days bring you light.