El Principe Oso (the Bear Prince) from Mexico

Once upon a time there was a very poor woodcutter who had three beautiful daughters. Of the three girls, the youngest was the most beautiful. One day the woodcutter went into the forest and was chopping down an oak tree when a very large and horrible bear wrenched the axe from his hands.“Who gave you permission to cut the wood in my forest?” growled the bear. “You have been stealing my timber and now you must pay for it with your life.”

“Please forgive me, Senor Oso,” said the poor woodcutter, “I was only cutting the wood to sell it and thus support my three little daughters. If you kill me, my little girls will starve.”

The Bear remained thoughtful and then said, “There is only one way in which you life may be saved. You have to give me one of your daughters in marriage.”

The woodcutter didn’t know what to say or do. Finally the thought of dying and leaving his daughters destitute forced him to agree to the Bear’s proposal.

The woodcutter returned home and told his daughters what had happened. “Father,” said the two eldest girls, “we would rather die than marry that Bear.” Ninfa, the youngest, said. “Father, I will marry the Bear.”

Next day Ninfa and her father went into the forest where the Bear was waiting for them. After seeing the beautiful maiden, he was satisfied. Ninfa, however, said to the Bear, “If I must marry you, I want to be married according to the Catholic rites.”

The woodcutter went in search of a priest and soon returned with one. Ninfa and the Bear were then married.

The Bear took Ninfa to his cave, and when it grew dark he chanted:
“Bear so hairy, Bear so alarming,
Change into a prince handsome and charming.”

In an instant the Bear changed into a handsome prince. He then told Ninfa, “I am an enchanted prince, cursed by a witch into being a bear by day and a man by night. You do anything you want around here but you must never reveal that I am an enchanted prince.” Ninfa, happily promised that she would never reveal the secret.

The next morning they arose from bed, and the prince said:
“Prince so handsome, Prince so charming,
Change into a bear, hairy and alarming.”

In an instant the prince had changed back into a bear.

Days followed days and Ninfa felt a desire to go and visit her family in the village. “I wish you would let me go to the village to see my father and sisters. It isn’t far, and if I leave early enough I will be back before it gets dark.”

The prince finally consented. However, he made her repeat her oath never to reveal the prince’s secret.

Next day Ninfa dressed herself richly and went to see her father and sisters, who welcomed her joyously. However, the sisters began to poke fun at Ninfa, jealous of the fact that she was wearing rich jewels and costly garments.

“You married a bear, what shame!” the sisters repeatedly told her.

So many times did the sisters repeat this, that finally Ninfa lost her temper and revealed her husband’s secret. The sisters were deeply amazed to hear Ninfa’s tale. The eldest one then said:

“Look, Ninfa, why don’t you disenchant the prince? When he goes to sleep, tie him up and gag him. As soon as day breaks and the prince wakes up, he will not be able to say the magic words. Then you will have a husband with a human form forever.”

Ninfa returned to the bear’s cave and that night did everything her sister had suggested. The prince awoke the next morning, and imagine his surprise at finding himself tied and gagged! He could not say the magic rhyme and the enchantment was broken.

“Wife,” the prince later said to Ninfa, “you have broken your promise. To break the enchantment and live happily ever after, we two had to live happily married a year and a day. Since you have disobeyed me, you are going to have to look for me. You will not find me until you locate the Castle of Faith.”

Saying this, the prince vanished and Ninfa was left alone. She cried and was sorry, for she truly loved the prince. Then, determined to be reunited with her husband, Ninfa decided to go and look for the Castle of Faith. Tying a few belongings together, she left on her search.

She walked and walked and finally arrived at a forest where a wizard lived.“Nina,” said the wizard, “what do you want here in this forest?”

“I am looking for the Castle of Faith,” answered Ninfa, “do you know where it is?”

“I do not know.” said the wizard, “but follow this road until you reach my father’s house. He may know where the castle is. Take this nut and if you ever find yourself in trouble break it.”

Ninfa thanked the old man, and left, finally reaching the house where the wizard’s father lived. The old man didn’t know either but said: “Walk along this road until you come to the house of my eldest brother. Perhaps he can tell you where the castle is. I am going to give you another nut just as my son did. If you find yourself in trouble, break it and it will help you.

Ninfa walked and walked and finally came to the house of the third wizard. He also didn’t know where the castle was. He said: “The Moon probably knows. Follow this road and soon you will come to her house. But be careful, the Moon may be angry. I am also going to give you a nut. If you find yourself in trouble, break it.”

Ninfa left. The poor girl was very, very tired, but at last that night she arrived at the moon’s house. She knocked on the door and a little old lady, who was the moon’s housekeeper, came out.

“Merciful God! Daughter, what are you doing here?” asked the old lady. “Don’t you know that if the Moon finds you here she will eat you?”

Ninfa tearfully told the old woman all that had happened. “Look,” said the old one, “you hide, and when the moon comes, I will carelessly ask her if she know where the castle is.”

At dawn the moon came in, and said, “Human flesh I smell here. Give it to me or on you I will feast.”

“Go on,” said the old woman, “you’re crazy. Just because there is a roast in the oven, you think it’s human flesh. Sit down and eat so that you can go to bed. You are very tired.”

The moon sat down to eat and the old lady began to talk. “The other day an owl went by, and I got to talking with her. She told me she had heard about the Castle of Faith. You, who know so many things, surely know where this castle is.”

“I don’t know, the one who probably knows is the Sun.”

The moon went to bed and the little old lady whispered to Ninfa, “Quickly, leave before the Moon wakes up. Go along this road and you will find the house of the Sun.”

Ninfa left and finally came to the Sun’s house. She knocked on the door and another little old lady answered.

“Valgame Dios, nina!” she exclaimed, “What are you doing here?” Don’t you know that if the Sun finds you here he will burn you?”

Ninfa began to cry, and between sobs told her story to the little old lady. They were both gloomily taking when the house suddenly filled with light and the Sun came in. Poor Ninfa. She crossed herself and prepared to die. But the little old lady yelled.

“Wait, Sun! Wait! this poor child is looking for the Castle of Faith.”

“Ah!” exclaimed the Sun, “so you are looking for the Castle of Faith.”

“I know where the castle is,” said the Sun. “But it is very far from here. I could take you, but I am not allowed to go out after dark. But near here lives my good friend, El Aire, the Wind. He can take you. When you get to El Aire’s home, you tell him that it was I who sent you.”

Ninfa arrived at the Wind’s house. She knocked and the Wind screamed, “Come in whoever it is!”

Ninfa entered and told El Aire that the Sun had sent her with a request.

“Granted,” said El Aire, “no matter what it may be.”

She told Senor Aire all that had adversely happened to her and that she wanted to go to the Castle of Faith.

“Do not worry,” said El Aire, “I myself, will take you.” Ninfa straddled El Aire’s back, and in less time than it takes to wink an eye, they arrived at the castle. “Look,” said El Aire, “it seems that there is a fiesta in the castle.” “I have to leave,” he told Ninfa. “With the help of God, everything will come out all right.” And turning into a whirlwind, he rushed away.

Ninfa knocked on the door of the castle, and a servant come out. “In what may I serve you?” asked the servant.

“I would like to see the prince.”

Ninfa entered the castle and saw her husband, the prince, eating at a table and surrounded by his guests. Ninfa tried so hard to get the prince’s attention that the bride saw her. She was an evil witch who with her magic had put a spell on the prince and made him marry her.

The prince then saw Ninfa and recognized her immediately. He yelled at the servants, telling them to bring Ninfa to him, but with the noise nobody heard him.

The witch screamed at her servants, “Run that beggar out!”

The servants were about to lay their hands on Ninfa when the girl broke one of the magic nuts the wizards had given her. In an instant Ninfa turned into a little rat. When the witch saw this, she turned into a huge cat which began to chase the rat. The rat sprang atop the prince’s table, and onto his plate. There Ninfa broke another nut and turned into a grain of rice which became lost among many on the prince’s plate. The cat also jumped on the table, turning instantly into a chicken which began to eat the rice. Ninfa then broke the other nut and turned into a coyote which ate the chicken in one bite.

Ninfa then was transformed back into human form to be reunited with the prince and both lived happily ever after.

El Conejo Sonriente

          Here is the second piece along with the story.

          El Conejo Sonriente 

(The Smiling Rabbit) from Mexico

An old man and his wife lived in a little house made of straw. They were very poor and all they owned were a rabbit and a young jaguar. When the old couple used up their last ear of corn, they decided to eat the rabbit and started heating water to cook him. When he saw that, the jaguar said to the rabbit:

“You won’t get out of this one. The old people are going to eat you and they will give me a piece.”

“No, my jaguar friend,” said the rabbit- “the old folk are heating water to make hot chocolate for breakfast.”

“That’s not true. They are heating the water to cook you.”

“Not at all. What’s more, I can prove it. Get into my cage and you’ll see; they’ll give you the first chocolate.”

The trusting jaguar went into the cage, the rabbit closed it and ran off. A long time went by and the jaguar tired of waiting for the old people to bring him his chocolate. When he realized that the rabbit had tricked him, he broke the cage and went after him.

After walking and walking, he found him in a cave. He was very angry and he showed his teeth as he said: “I caught you, rabbit! I’m going to eat you.”

“What’s the matter, my friend? What are you talking about? I don’t know you. I have lived here for a long time. Now excuse me, can’t you see I am very busy? My house is falling down.”

“Oh, so you are not the one who tricked me?”

“Of course not! But, please help me. Lean against this wall while I go get a log to hold it up and keep it from falling. And don’t let go or it might crush you. So the jaguar stood on his hind legs and held up the wall.”

A long time went by and the jaguar was tired. When he saw that the wall didn’t fall down, he realized that he had been tricked again. He took off after the deceitful rabbit, even angrier than before.

This time he found him hanging from an elastic vine that made him go up and down. The rabbit was so happy thinking of how he had fooled the jaguar that he didn’t notice when the latter took a great leap, pulled on the vine with all his strength and then suddenly let go. The rabbit went up and up through the air holding his belly and laughing, and finally he reached the moon. That is why on nights when the moon is full and red you can still see the rabbit bending over holding his stomach with laughter. 

La Camara Prohibida (The Forbidden Chamber) Mexico

This is from a new series of paintings based on folklore from Latin America.

Once there was an evil wizard who, dressed as a beggar, would go from house to house asking for alms and would steal the prettiest girls he could find. 

One day he knocked on the door of a house where lived a man with three beautiful daughters. The eldest opened the door and gave him a piece of bread.

When she gave it to him he touched her arm and hypnotized her. Then he made her enter the basket that he always carried on his back and took her to his house. Everything there was magnificent, and she had everything she could wish for.

After a few days the wizard told her that he had to go on a journey, that he would leave her the keys to all the house, and that she could enter every room except one. If she should enter that room she would surely die. Also, he gave her an egg and asked her to take good care of it.

As soon as the wizard was out of sight, the girl looked into every room and found beautiful things that delighted her. At last she approached the prohibited chamber and after a moment’s indecision, her curiosity won and she entered the room.

What she saw made her tremble. There were hundreds of girls that had been kidnapped and all looked as if they had fallen asleep. The girl, frightened at the sight, went running out of the room as fast as she could.

In her haste she dropped the egg that she carried in her hand, but it did not break. When she picked it up she noticed that the egg had turned red, and althought she tried to clean it, the egg stayed red.

After some time the wizard came back. He noticed what had happened to the egg, struck the girl, and dragged her into the prohibited chamber, where he left her with the others.

The wizard then went back to the same house and stole the second sister and the same thing happened to her.

He went back a third time and kidnapped the younger sister, but this sister was very wise. When the wizard gave her the keys and the egg, she took the egg and deposited it in the cupboard. Then she took the keys and went into the prohibited chamber. She was amazed at seeing so many girls lying as if in a profound sleep. Amongst them she recognized her two sisters.

She left the room and closed the door. When she heard the wizard returning, she took the egg and the keys and went to meet him.

“You shall be my wife because you have resisted curiosity,” he exclaimed.

As the girl had broken the spell, the wizard had lost his power and she could do with him as she pleased, so she went to the prohibited chamber and awoke

She took a great big basket and in it she hid her two sisters covering them with pieces of gold. Then she told the wizard to take the basket but not to stop on the road because she would be watching him from the window. The man took the basket and started walking but soon was worn out by fatigue. He sat down to rest, but immediately heard a voice which said “I am watching you from my window.” Thinking it was the voice of his future wife, he got up and walked a while longer. Everytime he tried to rest, the same thing happened, until finally he reached the house where his fiancée’s parents lived. There he left the basket.

In the meantime, his future wife took a piece of cardboard and made a head which she placed on the window sill of the second floor, making it look as if someone was watching from the window. Then she went and let out the other victims and invited them all to her wedding. Finally, she covered her whole body with feathers, disguising herself as a rare bird so that no one could recognize her, and left the house. Soon she met some of the guests that she had invited to the wedding and they asked her:

“From where do you come beautiful bird?”

“From the house where the wizard is being 

wedded.”

“And please tell, what does the beautiful bride do?”

“After being all dressed up in her beautiful wedding gown she leans out of the window looking down.”

When the wizard returned home, the window of the second floor was open, he looked towards it and saw the head there. He thought it was his future wife and he ran excitedly into the house, but upon entering he encountered all the family and sisters of the girl, who dragged him into the chamber, locked the door and set fire to the house.

And this was the end of the wizard and his 

prohibited chamber.

original  $1600.00 

limited edition giclee prints (11x18) 

$100.00 (by order only)

Dorothy didn't go to Oz, she had a colliod cyst

Last night my husband went on an adventure of stealing an ambulance with our plumber, driving to Minneapolis, taking an abandoned child with him who had a burned hand from making cupcakes, and playing poker up on the golfcourse with his buddies.

In reality he was diagnosed yesterday morning with a colliod cyst. A gelatinous ball that is in the third ventricle of the brain and if gets too big will create fluid to build up around the brain, which to my understanding is not good. In fact so bad that it had to be taken out immediately. No discussion, no saying goodbye to relatives (just in case), no researching options, but get in the gown and start counting backwards from 100 right now. And while he was on his joyride with the plumber he was actually getting a hole drilled into his head.

After the surgery, in the ICU, he was surprisingly animated. He declared that he was a superhero, and I was not, and he needed five bucks for a cup of coffee, (he hasn't had a cup of coffee in 15 years), he then proceeded to fall asleep but just as my daughter and I started to leave he woke up long enough to recite his work phone number. I started this post 3 weeks ago, and my husband has come back to earth in that time, still some memory issues, still sleeping alot but after some investigation on his part is starting to believe he didn't take a joy ride in an ambulance the night of his surgery.

I guess this isn't that uncommon, it's congenital, a little tiny thing in the brain from birth for whatever reason started growing in his 50's. His symptoms were a constant headache for 3 weeks and freaky memory problems, he also had intermittent nausea. He was lucky to have a good friend that's a doctor who ordered an MRI because those symptoms don't usually get you in to see a doctor this time of year with the smoke from fires around Missoula, much less an MRI. Very happy to live in Missoula with so much support and very happy he is fine.