I have been coming to Oaxaca, Mexico since 2008.  At first it was just for a few weeks but has evolved into a winter retreat of 3 months.  My love for Mexico began in 1960 when I participated in an exchange program with a girl from Mexico City. I spent the summer after high school graduation living with her family and attending the University of Mexico.  In college I participated in a program where I studied and worked in Guanajuato for a year.  From that time Mexico was embedded in my heart.

 It wasn’t until I retired that I finally made a trip to Oaxaca.  The capitol city is surrounded by indigenous villages specializing in different crafts.  Oaxaca is a colorful place with displays of weavings, painted wooden animals, red and black pottery and walls painted in beautiful murals, and most important, warm and friendly people. 

 Since retirement watercolor painting is my passion and Oaxaca has become the inspiration for much of my work.  I have painted many of the people, especially the women from the surrounding villages.  I take hundreds of photos when visiting the villages.  In the beginning I took them secretly not wanting to offend.  But when I returned to the villages with copies of my paintings to give to the women I had painted, many others wanted me to take their photo.  It has been a wonderful way to make connections.