Essential Art for creating a Mexican Casa with Heat

"So, the trip to the Mexican Riviera was so exciting that you've decided to bring that same spirit of Mexico back and decorate your home―pardon me―your hacienda, with the same fiery passion as you experienced on your vacation?"
"Si. Can you help me?"
"Sure. I always have time to discuss how one can add spark to their homes, especially with mexican style."
"Great. But, first I'm going to go get some nachos and a margarita. Must be withdrawals"
"Ok, Señorita, do whatever gets you in the latin mood and while you prepare that, I'll just sit back and try to envision how my dream hacienda would look...Oh, it's amazing. I can see beautiful black swirls in the distressed iron that identifies the entrance and adorns the windows. I see colourful and fragrant flowers. Hm, I wonder if calla lilies, like the mexican artist Diego Rivera painted, would grow in terracotta pots?. Better have a flower seller educate me in on the botanical details, or better yet, just have her bring me huge bundles of those creamy gems to put in vases all over the interior of my home. Gee, wonder what kind of vases a hacienda would have? I know, lots of them! Yikes, this could cost me a few pesos. I know, I'll get them at the market. Yes, a mexican market is full of wonderful decor items. I know, I'll try and get some vases with mexican folk art or ancient mayan designs painted all over them. Wonder if I could get any matching clay masks too? They're fun for the walls. However, not too many, because I know that one of the living room walls has to be dedicated to latin lovers―I mean―mexican dancers. The art will be like an inspirational print inspiring me to be just like them―wearing flowing, bright dresses with flowers in my hair... Okay, okay now I'm dreaming within a dream, because I'll never be able to dance like those tango artists. However, what I can do, is play some latin music like, "Y Asi Nacio Este Tango", and still pretend I'm at the Tango Club, yet still be in my home snuggled near my loved one... Then, when we grow weary of that mood and want to liven things up, all we have to do is throw on some classical guitar songs like, "Agua Azul" and "Bamboleo", turn up the volume and head to the kitchen where the real fun can begin. Olé, bring on the mexican food and bring it on with red, hot, spicy chilies! Wow, I could really go for some..."
"Wake up! Wake up! Where were you?"
"Oh, I was just fantasizing about decorating my own hacienda and I guess I got carried away."
"Yah, all the way to Cancun. Hey, why don't you change your home into a mexican theme as well?
"Hellooo, I live in a condo and... No, wait a second, you could be right. Why don't I. After all it's amazing how fast one can create a new decor style just by changing a few art prints. My walls are already painted a neutral colour like the adobe walls, so the base is ready. All I would have to do is add some new mexican art prints. Thanks, you're an angel! That's just what I needed to perk up my mood! See you later..."
"Wait a second, I thought you were going to help me with my mexican decor?"
"Maybe tomorrow, but today, I've got my own spanish spark to ignite..."

ABSTRACT Art

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AZTEC CALENDAR

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CHARRO

A Charro or Charra is not really the rancher or the cowboy, but is more traditionally known as the horseman and I might add here, horsewomen. I think these mexican art prints representing these unique people will add real flare to your walls. After all, if you're decorating your home to have an hacienda touch, then you're going to need people to take care of the horses...

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CHILDREN IN MEXICAN ART

Artist Diego Rivera painted so many unique paintings of women, I think that his images here of the children rings with more insight into the soul of the mexican people. This artwork would definitely bring an innocence to your wall. Doesn't his artwork titled, "La Noche de Los Pobres" just tug at your heart? Seeing a small child wrapped in the arms of his mother reminds us all just how global our desires are. There's not a parent in the world who doesn't want to create an air of wellness for their children.

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DANCERS

The tango is not a traditional dance for Mexico, but as you can see in the following works of art, there is definitely some serious tango moves turning out on the streets of Mexico.

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Oh, the "Gold Dress", by artist Bill Brauer is alluring. However, as much as the tango appeals to me, it's not what turned me on to a love for latin dance. At the moment of my awakening, there weren't any men dressed from head to toe in black or women swirling their brightly coloured skirts in the streets. There definitely wasn't a full moon shining over head. No, I learnt the moves of the "Jarabe Tapatio", or better known in my native tongue, as the "Mexican Hat Dance", on a cold, hard gymnasium floor wearing rubber soles in the dead of winter. But I didn't care, because once I heard the first musical note echo off the stark white walls, my arms were crossed, my feet were tapping and my heart said that even though I wasn't mexican, I was still living on the same continent, and that was enough kindred spirit to confirm that I had the beat.

Maybe your a dancer yourself and would rather hang an art collection of solo dancers on your home or dance studio walls so that you can feel inspired and remember you're not alone with your love for latin dance.

DAY OF THE DEAD

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DISTRESSED IRON

Black swirls of Spanish beauty, captured for you to enjoy if you have an appreciation for the artisan who perfected his trade...

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DOORS LEAD US INTO A MEXICAN HOME

When we travel we have so little room to bring souvenirs back home with us, therefore years later when I reflect on the idea that I hauled a print of a "door" back thousands of miles from Greece, still amazes me. But, how could I not, as it was the most beautiful door I had ever seen; for it was pink. PINK! Where I live a pink door is unheard of, so to look at that art print of a door brought a little bit of "all things are possible" into my life. Mexico is another wonderful country that offers an opportunity to experience door art; so enjoy. I hope I find a pink door from there one day and when I do, I will definitely put my camera to good use and offer that art here for you too. But, in the meantime take a look at artist

Thomas Mayberry's, 'Doors of Mexico'

; the perfect artwork to get you started on your door collection...

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FRIDA KAHLO

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FLOWER SELLER

Art is so individual, much like a finger print to the artist, so you can see why many great works of art are purchased based on the artist, rather than the subject. However, since the following prints by artist Diego Rivera run along a common thread, I decided to categorize them under what most of them are titled with: Flower Seller. I am most grateful to this artist for exploring and perfecting this subject because there is nothing more beautiful than a room full of flower prints. And these images are just one and two stems of botanical bliss, no they are arms full of blooms. What I really like about some of them is that Mexican wall colours, within the home, can sometimes get so rich that they can become dark without the right lighting and that right lighting just might be a spot colour of illuminating calla lilies depicted throughout his work.

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GUITARS

Mexican decor would not be complete without at least one guitar hanging around ready to remind you that anyone can own one of these musical instruments, regardless if you play or not. Besides, there's more than one way to "jam" up your living-room...

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HACIENDA

An hacienda is the main house on a ranch or large estate.

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HUICHOL FOLK ART

The Huichol are an indigenous group of people living primarily in the western part of central Mexico. Their beaded art, in comparison to their other creations, is relatively new on the artistic timeline. The patterns and symbolic designs are their way of expressing how they interpret the land they call home and the animals that they share the environment with. The following print is a wonderful way to adorn your mexican decor with some art that exudes culture.

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KITCHENS NEED SPICE ON THE WALLS

The mexican kitchen is definitely one place that should have a plaque on the wall saying, "If you can't take the heat, then get out of the kitchen!" I personally, can take the heat. The spicier the better. I'm sorry, but forget the doctor when your sinuses are plugged. All you need are a few stuffed chili peppers. Oh, go ahead, stuff them with cream cheese, wrap them with bacon and throw them on the outdoor grill. After all, it's about feeling good enough to get back to enjoying life.

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MARIACHI

And the band played on...

Rick Kersten's giclee print titled, 'Mariachi'

 highlights this ensemble with the kind of a vivid colour a musical performance like this deserves. I have to admit that if I decorated my casa with any one of these latino images, it would be impossible for me to walk by and not put in a request for the song, 'La Bamba'. I can hear it now,...Ay arriba y arriba. Por ti sere, por ti sere, por tis sere. Bamba, bamba, bamba... Or another favourite song of mine, 'Ay Jalisco No Te Rajes'. Viva el Mariachi de Mexico! See how visual arts inspires a room to sing.

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