The show is on exhibit in all Garfield County, Colorado public libraries, from August 2024 to February 2025. We installed it at the Rifle Library branch in August.
I am grateful to Garfield County Public Library staff, especially Alex Garcia-Beltrán, Amaranda Fregoso, and James Larson for understanding my work as an artist and sharing a great amount of kindness. Their support translated into hours of cheerful technical and logistics support. Gracias, Alex.
My financial sponsors Cynthia Ritchie, Carmen Nater, and Wendy Wolff offered funding for this project. Their support allowed me to create this piece, from acquiring the materials to the cost of traveling to install the show.
I was part of Its Liquid's 'Anima Mundi' Exhibit in Venezia, Italia, from May 10th to June 24th. I felt fortunate to work with a team of charming producers and managers at Its Liquid. The show was in exhibit at Palazzo Albrizzi.
Using flowers as symbols of positivity, transformation, or beautiful growth is not a new concept. This project draws on the rich cultural history of flowers, a symbolism that has been present in many ancient cultures, including the ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Irish, and Chinese civilizations. Even the illuminated scripts in our first churches have celebrated the power of flowers. This is my reinterpretation of the 'Flower Power' movement of the '60s..
My journey with 'Sweet Words' began in 2016, when I placed a flower in my mouth. Since then, I've explored the profound and often unconscious ways we use words to create, unite, harmonize, or destroy. ‘Palabras Dulces’ is widely used in my home country, Puerto Rico, denoting sweeter voice tones and a more positive choice of words, honoring ourselves and others.
This is a photo grid of people understanding the power of sweet words, ‘Palabras Dulces.’ Palabras Dulces denote choices we can make to communicate with positivity, honor others, and honor yourself.
Even if it might be complicated, it is one of the best options in our current human exchange crisis.
I am in the process of inviting a total of 49 beings for a 7x7 feet panel. After that, I will open it to the world of human beings to share their selfies, videos, poetry, and music about the power of words. I have 37 collaborators' selfies right now. It is super exciting!
The wonderful Collaborators of Sweet Words
The models of this piece are real people with real lives. We interact and experience joy, sadness, challenge, hope, and the good things in life. We are everyday people, the pedestrians you cross paths with. We are extraordinary and ordinary. We make choices on how to be with others. We are imperfect and evolving, making it better one step at a time. We understand the power of sweet words.
We are an elementary school teacher, a lover, a non-government-organization director, a writer, a reiki quantum healer a high fashion designer, a wellness trainer, a dreamer, a loving grandmother, a politician, an immigrant advocate, a marketing manager, a multidisciplinary artist, a business manager, a poet, a young-at-heart, a world traveler, an artisan, a chef, someone living with cancer, a public library manager, a pedestrian, movie production custom designer, a farmer with 1,900 acres of food production, a retired scientist, a real estate agent, community events manager, a counselor, a hiker, community fitness person, graphic designer, a handyman, guitar player virtuoso, a retired professional, a theater performer, an electrician and YOU and me.
Zenita became very clear about speaking her truth and doing it with kindness and compassion. She has so much sharing to do about the power of truth-speaking. She shared that even if is difficult, mindful speaking supports others while loving herself.
I am Wendy. It is an honor to be considered to be part of this show. Maybe my presence in this show can motivate someone to feel better about their life experience. If I can share a little bit of light with someone who needs it, this is a good thing. I live in Baltimore.
Lori shares: 'How will I not join a project that supports an important issue that is challenging our humanity? Sweet Words creates a powerful image of the effect our words have in everybody's mind and heart including your own. I live in Vermont.
Dave is a farmer since he was 17 years old. He is 86 and still provides food to our country. He lives in Wisconsin.
I am a retired electrical engineer, age 80, enjoying my life with my trees and harvesting fruits and vegetables. I live in the countryside of the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.
I am a retired scientist who worked for NASA and IBM. I enjoy repairing homes, reading, and having enlightening conversations. I live in Denver, Colorado
Martin is a musician at heart who besides doing his passions, supports his elderly mom and lends his multiple skills in home repair. He lives in Denver, Colorado.
Nancy is a lovely soul who cares deeply about Earth and our human evolution. She lives in Austin, Texas.
Steven is a father and he is always doing good deeds for his community in Garfield County.
I am Mari. I took a selfie with a plastic flower in my mouth to depict that ‘even if it is difficult or we feel justified to be angry at a person, we can practice the power of discernment and kindness with our words. We are more respected when we are wiser in our speaking to others. Practice is the virtue.
The power to express more love, forgiveness, peace, harmony, and understanding among all humans. This is a message about ONENESS.