OCTOBER 2017
COSPLAY CRAZE Del Rioans channel their inner superheroes
ARTFUL LIFE Visit the studios of the area’s top artists
MONARCH MADNESS Magical migration passes through the Queen City
OCTOBER 2017 $3.99
Autumn’s Arts GRANDE / OCTOBER 2017
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SHANE QUINN General Manager
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GRANDE / OCTOBER 2017
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OCTOBER CALENDAR
Whitehead Memorial Museum Presents
Between Halloween, art shows and Fiesta de Amistad, you’ll have plenty to do in Del Rio this fall. Here are some of our favorite annual events:
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BORDERTOWN BRUJAS Gorzugis, 2101 Dodson Ave. • 6 p.m. Kick off the spookiest month of the year at Gorzugis’ visual art show. Relax to music by La Gente Vinyl Club while supporting local artists.
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MISS DEL RIO/MISS DEL RIO TEEN PAGEANT Paul Poag Theatre, 746 S. Main St. • 7 p.m. Come cheer on your favorite local contestant at this 30+ year old pageant. The crowned winners advance to the Miss Texas pageant and represent the community for one year.
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PUMPKIN PATCH FUNDRAISER First United Methodist Church, 100 Spring St. Noon - 7 p.m. on Sundays and 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on weekdays Your October front porch isn’t complete without a pumpkin. Grab one from First United Methodist Church’s annual event to help benefit local hunger projects.
OKT OBER FEST
WHITEHEADMUSEUM.ORG
SAT SEP
30
BEER-FOOD-MUSIC 6 PM- 10PM FOOD SERVED 6PM-8PM
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GRAND INTERNATIONAL PARADE Downtown Del Rio – South Main Street • 10 a.m. Take part in one of Del Rio’s most cherished traditions and celebrate the strong binational ties with Ciudad Acuña at the Fiesta de Amistad celebration’s annual parade.
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MONSTER MASH Downtown Del Rio - South Main Street 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Join the Del Rio Main Street Program for this annual family-friendly seasonal event. Dress in your best costume for the chance to win a prize.
$25 IN ADVANCE $30 AT THE DOOR
Drink NOT INCLUDED with ticket
VIP TABLES $200 INCLUDES 8 TICKETS BUCKET OF DOMESTIC BEERS
1308 S. MAIN ST DEL RIO, TX 78840 830-774-7568 GRANDE / OCTOBER 2017
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FROM THE EDITOR
Art, mystery, magic PUBLISHER Sandra Castillo EDITOR Karen Gleason CREATIVE DIRECTOR Megan Tackett WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Brian Argabright Rubén Cantú Adriana Ibarra Joe Pagan Megan Tackett Special Contributor: Ron Castle ADVERTISING Ashley Lopez Kim Dupill Albert Treviño PRODUCTION Roland Cardenas EDITORIAL karen.gleason@delrionewsherald.com 830-775-1551, Ext. 247 ADVERTISING ashley.lopez@delrionewsherald.com 830-775-1551, Ext. 250 STORY IDEAS karen.gleason@delrionewsherald.com
2205 North Bedell Avenue • Del Rio, TX 78840 delrionewsherald.com
Del Rio Grande is published by the Del Rio News-Herald. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. Editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative.
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ake a deep breath. The long, hot days of summer are behind us once more, and the pleasant days and cool nights reinvigorate and refresh. October is the month of fiesta – celebration – in Del Rio, and with Halloween following close on its heels, our childlike sense of joy and wonder wells up from deep in our hearts. We here at Grande have talked about doing “an art issue” for some time, so what better month to bring this to you than the one in which the worlds of fantasy and reality meet and dance together? Our cover celebrates the art form of “candy skull makeup,” inspired by the candy skulls prepared for el Dia de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, which falls on Nov. 2. We talked with Lily Ramon from the Casa De La Cultura and Nirce Gomez from the Mexican Consulate about the ancient traditions behind the creation of these skulls in one of this month’s feature articles. Brian Argabright spoke with three local “cosplayers,” who create and wear ultra-realistic costumes based on their favorite comic book or cartoon characters and who aren’t afraid to let their inner children come out to play. We also visited with a representative group of other Del Rio artists like quilter Sara Castle, watercolorist Pam Bunch and landscape artist David Forks. Two muralists rounded out this month’s pantheon of artists: Cris Escobar tells us 20 things we didn’t know about him, and Gabriella Rosales shares creative style tips from her artist’s wardrobe in Closet Confidential. Our fashion shoot was a team effort this month, featuring the work of local makeup artist Krystal Acevedo and our own Kim Dupill. We shot at a location downtown and want to thank the folks at J’s Beauty & Barber Shop for making it available to us. The fashion shoot and our cover also feature the work of our newest photographer, Adriana Ibarra, a member of our production staff. We hope these pages will inspire your own creative efforts!
Karen Gleason Grande Editor
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CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2017
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Make room on your day planner for these exciting local events.
Adrian Falcon unites four cultures to create one work of art.
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Casa muralist and SWTJC art instructor Gabriella Rosales brings us inside her creative closet.
Master quilter Sara Castle stitches a unique form of art.
CALENDAR
CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL
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GRANDE PICKS Celebrate the coming of fall with our autumn-centric selections.
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SPICY SIP We put an autumn spin on a crowd favorite cocktail, the Moscow Mule.
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PUMPKIN PIE Learn how to bake fall’s favorite pie.
MURAL MAGIC
SARA CASTLE: PIECE BY PIECE
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PAM BUNCH: STORIES TO TELL Prominent local artist shares the inspiration behind her paintings.
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TOKEN OF REMEMBRANCE Learn the meaning behind the wildly popular sugar skull design.
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DIA DE LA MODA Glam Girlz fashions take on Dia de los Muertos.
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COSTUMED HEROES Del Rio couple channels Batman, Catwoman for good causes.
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ROLE PLAY MAGIC Erika Hard brings Japanese video, anime characters to life.
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20 THINGS Get to know Casa muralist and art instructor Cris Escobar
DAVID FORKS: FEELING THE LANDSCAPE
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David Forks brings the Hill Country landscape to life.
Annual Monarch migration passes through Val Verde County.
ROYAL PASSAGE
On the cover:
Del Rio High School Senior Elizabeth Rodriguez, a skilled athlete who plays both softball and basketball, dons candy skull makeup inspired by the sugar skull traditions of Mexico and Central America. Photo by Adriana Ibarra.
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Although Rosales has spent most of her life in Del Rio, she lived in Chicago for two years while pursuing her master’s degree in art education at the Art Institute of Chicago. She also earned her bachelor’s in art history at Texas State University.
CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL Story and photos by MEGAN TACKETT
Gabriella Rosales Editor’s note: Gabriella Rosales’ life revolves around art, including her artfully-eccentric wardrobe. An art instructor at Southwest Texas Junior College and a muralist at the Casa de la Cultura, Rosales’ style effortlessly exudes art and creativity. From Members Only jackets to mumu dresses, she pulls off trends others might shy away from. With a bright lip and hand-made accessories, she assembles a custom style that is all her own.
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These are the glasses everyone feels confident in. Anyone can wear these glasses. I keep them in my car and everyone uses them.
Personal Style There’s a lot of black in my wardrobe. I call it witchy - bruja. I remember when I watched American Horror Story: Coven, I thought, ‘Hey that’s how I dress!’ I also like the grunge style and thick clothing, but I don’t shy away from anything that shows off my figure. Art in Wardrobe Art plays a huge role. I wear black a lot because I teach drawing, and we have charcoal, we have pencils and everything always gets dirty. So black is actually really important. People make fun of artists for wearing black, but it’s because we get dirty.
Fashion Icons I love the simplicity and classic look of Audrey Hepburn. When I was younger I would sometimes just cut my bangs and put a red lip on to imitate her style. Favorite Designers Christian Siriano. I like his aesthetic. It’s clean and classic. He creates everything for women that makes them feel good, plus size women as well. I appreciate that. A lot of designers don’t work with plus size women. Zac Posen is another one. They’re similar in design and structure.
My friend Casmiro De La Cruz made these earrings and they’re some of my favorites. These are my fancy earrings even though they’re beads.
I like my boots a little tattered. I don’t like things to look so clean.
When she’s not teaching art at SWTJC or volunteering at Casa de la Cultura, Rosales said she can be found at San Felipe Creek walking her dog past one of her murals.
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Save vs. Splurge I will splurge on rings and necklaces. I’ll spend $50 on something but nothing over. To save, I’ve bought some jewels from Dirt Cheap. I also bought a Members Only jacket from the hospice Bargain Box. I go to the flea markets sometimes too.
These were a gift. They’re wire and they’re clip-ons, which is awesome.
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Importance of Accessories If I wear all black I’m always going to have a pop. Because I wear a lot of black, accessories are the key.
Fashion Philosophy For a really long time I was always told I couldn’t wear certain things. You can’t wear stripes. You can’t wear that color. You have to cover your body. But there are no rules. It doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks. If it makes you feel good, just wear it.
I found this at a little vintage store in Chicago. Some of my friends walked by it on my birthday, and they surprised me with it.
We’d love to see you in Grande! APRIL 2017
MARCH 2017
Antioxidants, Oxygen and Minerals, Help your PH Level.
MAY 2017
MARIA MARTINEZ
Ready To Rally SHEPHERD’S PIE
GRANJA LA NEGRA
UNIQUE ANTIQUE
GEORGE PAUL LIVES ON
BUILDING BONDS
GEORGE PAUL MEMORIAL BULL RIDING SUPERBULL City’s most popular event turns 40
Big bucks for big fish on Lake Amistad
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APRIL 2017
GRANDE / MARCH 2017
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Alkaline Water And Health Place
Couple transforms vintage furniture into modern art
World champ bull rider called Del Rio home
Riding in style with Danny Cardenas
BORDER BASS BATTLE
Water Store
Organic farmer continues family traditions
Del Rio bull rider named Cowboy of the Year
A simple and hearty Irish meal
Eva & David
BFCU’s President/CEO wins national award
Riding To Win
Del Rio Gypsies plan annual St. Patrick’s Day event
MARCH 2017
Our Water Contains:
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Empowering Women
MAY 2017
GRANDE / APRIL 2017
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Celebrating moms and strong women GRANDE / MAY 2017
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WE ARE LOOKING FOR MEN AND WOMEN TO MODEL IN FUTURE ISSUES OF THE MAGAZINE.
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GRANDE / OCTOBER 2017
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Warm your home with calming scents of the season. Aromatique candles available in cinnamon cider and bourbon bergamot. Starting at $15 at Russell’s True Value.
Step 1) Wrap yourself in this southwest print blanket. Step 2) Turn on Netflix. Step 3) Do nothing else. $55 at Buffalo Girls.
Fall Picks
Check out the price and tell me you don’t want one. They’re so cute! Velvet pumpkins $3.00 at Buffalo Girls.
Bring a rustic feel to your dining table this fall with these minimalistic cloth placemats. $12 at Buffalo Girls.
Our October selections exude traditional autumn colors, scents and textures to satisfy your fall fascinations. Release relaxing, autumn aromas every time you wash your hands with these aloe enriched hand soaps. $4.99 and Marshalls.
Bring some life and greenery into your home with a low maintenance succulent like this aloe vera plant. $3.98 at Home Depot.
When October in Del Rio feels more like mid July, reach for this copper-colored desk fan to stay cool. $29.99 at Marshalls.
Accent your home with these autumn-themed throw pillows. Simply toss on your sofa to transform your living room. $20 each at Marshalls.
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GRANDE / OCTOBER 2017
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Apple Spice Moscow Mule Story and photo by MEGAN TACKETT
The Moscow Mule has made an overwhelming comeback across the country in recent years. This classic cocktail is so easy to make that bartenders are creating seasonal variations to give it a new spin. We added a splash of apple juice and seasonal autumn spices to our mule to enhance the ginger beer’s already zippy flavors.
Spiced Syrup Ingredients ½ cup water ½ cup sugar 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice Spiced Syrup Method Simmer ingredients in a saucepan and cool for one hour before use. If this is too much work (trust me I get it), feel free to just sprinkle a pinch of pumpkin pie spice into cocktail shaker.
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Cocktail Ingredients 1 tablespoon apple juice 1 can ginger beer 1.5 ounces vodka 1 copper mug (optional) Method Combine apple juice, vodka and spice syrup into cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Pour into copper mug, or regular pint glass, top with additional ice and add ginger beer. Garnish with apple slice, orange peel or cinnamon stick for fun.
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Pumpkin Pie
he trickiest part of making pies, in my opinion, is the crust. It defines the pie. Although, I wouldn’t mind just eating the filling with a scoop of ice cream on the side. Through my journey in creating the perfect pumpkin pie that tastes just like any “normal” gluten-filled pie, I was just never satisfied with the texture. It was never the right consistency, it had too little pumpkin pie spice or it was just not sweet enough. But the secret to a velvety, melt-in-yourmouth pumpkin pie filling is ... Pure maple syrup. And I’m not talking about the fake stuff you typically find at the breakfast table served along with the “just add milk” Saturday morning pancakes. The maple syrup replaces the refined sugar that many people I know can’t eat much of. So this recipe is for them, too. I noticed that when I used maple syrup instead of white sugar, the consistency of the batter was a bit runny, which concerned me at first. But once it was out of the oven and I let it cool in the fridge for a few hours, the texture was perfect. Even the graham cracker crust was up to par. But a baker’s opinion is never valid, and that’s when the taste testers come in handy. I have made the pie before but was never satisfied with the crust. This past weekend, however, I made the pie for a gathering at a friend’s house, and it was a crowd pleaser! Many were impressed with the filling and how smooth it was, while others were a fan of the crust. I even had a friend who doesn’t typically like pumpkin pie come up and tell me she loved it. And that’s with it being gluten-free! •
Story and photos by Bonita Santillán
Ingredients for crust: 1 1/2 cups any gluten-free graham cracker crumbs 6 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup granulated sugar Directions for crust: Mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar until just combined. The mixture will be somewhat gritty and coarse. Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie pan, making sure it is firmly pressed against the pan. You can also use the bottom of a cup to round out the edges. Pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes at 300º F. You may find that the crust begins to lose its form. In this case, reshape the crust using the flat part of the cup and let it sit while you make the pie filling. 14
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Ingredients for filling: 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree 1 cup almond milk (or any dairy-free milk if going lactose-free) 3 eggs 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice pinch of sea salt Directions for filling: Pre-heat oven to 425º F. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Pour the mixture into the pre-baked pie crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn down oven to 350º F and bake for 35 minutes or until center is set. Cool in the fridge before serving.
Val Verde Visionaries From canvases to quilts and murals to landscapes, take a glimpse inside the imaginative inner workings of some of the Queen City’s most inspiring artists.
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Friendship Through The Arts Adrian Falcon brings four cultures together to create one work of art. Story and photos by MEGAN TACKETT
Del Rio native Adrian Falcon always felt a pull toward Hildago, Mexico. Both his parents were raised in the small city of Ixmiquilpan and the area’s Otomi culture surrounded much of his childhood. “That’s my roots,” Falcon said. “My culture, my language, my identity. Everything is there.” Falcon, who owns the Falcon Art Gallery, 301 E. Garfield Ave., hadn’t visited Ixmiquilpan for 25 years before
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opening the Centro de Arte Falcón in 2015. There, he assembled a team of seven Otomi-native child artists, who recently travelled with him to Del Rio to create a cohesive 14 panel mural with the help of seven Del Rio children, Ezekiel Gonzales, Anna Curtis, Samuel Curtis, Camila Cisneros, Brenda Aguillon, Paola Narvaez and Gilda Linan. “The painting is a combination of not just art but the friendship they’re creating and the experience they’re
getting, the languages and the cultures,” Falcon said. “Art is the way to introduce languages.” The children worked for two weeks, under Falcon’s guidance, at the Val Verde Regional Medical Center (VVRMC) to paint the 14 panel mural. VVRMC Chief Executive Officer Xochi Hurtado said the highlight of her day during those two weeks was poking her head into their room and watching the mural’s progression.
“It was such a simple brilliant concept,” Hurtado said. “What kid doesn’t like to paint? This is a great way to bring kids together to do something that seems to natural to them.” The project itself was inspired last year after hospital officials purchased 23 paintings created by the Ixmiquilpan assistants from Falcon’s art gallery. Hurtado and Falcon then discussed the idea of bringing 14 children together to create a mural for the hospital. Despite his efforts, Falcon refuses to accept any credit for the end result. Instead, he directs all praise to the 14 children who worked together to create the mural, which is now on display for public viewing in the medical center’s main entry area. “I was just a shadow. (The mural) is 100 percent these kids,” Falcon said. “That’s their mural. The name is theirs.” The mural, titled “Quatro Culturas,” represents the four cultures, American, Mexican, Otomi and Navajo, represented in the 14 children who created the piece. Culturally representative words like “Nts’utk’ani” (Ixmiquilpan in Otomani) “Mexico” and “Del Rio” pop from the colorfully abstract painting Next August, Falcon plans to bring the seven Del Rio children to Ixmiquilpan where they will work with his seven assistants, stay with local families, engage in Otomi culture and create another mural for the public to enjoy. •
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Anna Curtis paints butterflies for the “Quatro Culturas” mural, which is now on display at Val Verde Regional Medical Center.
Two art assistants from Falcon’s art center in Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo, Mexico work on the mural at the hospital.
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Sara Castle: Piece by piece Story by BRIAN ARGABRIGHT; photos contributed by RON CASTLE
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t’s been said that inspiration is the key building block to art. For Sara Castle, actual blocks of fabric are the key to her wondrous works. Castle, 71, is an award-winning fiber artist who calls Del Rio home. A native of Germany who moved to the United States when she was 10, Castle arrived in Del Rio in 1996 along with her husband Ron. The couple maintained several businesses in Eagle Pass, but it was Del Rio where they wanted to spend their golden years. About a year or two after arriving here, Castle said she had the urge to try something new. She walked into a store in Plaza del Sol Mall called the Artist’s Nest and saw some women there making a king-sized quilt. Castle was invited to a meeting of a local
quilting club called the Firehouse Quilters and met Marguerite Chanslor and the other ladies of the group. From there, a passion was born. “I’ve made about 850 personal quilts since 1996, most of which have been sold in Terlingua by Marguerite. She was the person who originally taught me how to quilt,” Castle said. “I’ve provided quilt services for 1,400 clients since 2003 when I got my Gammil Longarm quilting machine and my big studio.” Though Castle’s work is a delight for the eyes and touch, she admits it didn’t begin that way. “My first quilt was a disaster. I wound up giving it to my son,” she said. She doesn’t keep many of the pieces
she makes, though her studio at her home features some of her favorite or more unique quilts. There are quilts in a variety of colors and featuring a variety of designs or themes. If you can think it, she can probably do it. She also knows how to make the most out of what she has at hand. “Nothing goes to waste here. I’ve got squares of all kinds of colors and shades. There are scraps I will turn into bags. I just enjoy the creative process more than anything else in the world. I look forward to waking up early each day and doing something new,” Castle said. While quilting patterns are readily available online or in stores, Castle said she prefers instead to design her own. And then sometimes it’s the fabric that dictates what
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she’ll create that day. “I never buy fabric to make a project. Instead, I buy what I like in five-yard purchases, then let the fabric speak to me and inspire me,” Castle said. When you walk into her fabric room, you can see where that inspiration comes from. There are yards and yards of fabric in a kaleidoscope of colors. And if it’s designs you’re looking for, she has those in spades – from chili peppers to tequila bottles to cowboys and nearly everything in between. Castle said she can complete a quilt in about a week. Once she has everything set, she transforms into a quilt-making machine. “I work an average of eight to 10 hours a day, and I can’t wait to get up and start something. I love the creative process and challenge myself constantly,” she said. When it comes to the cost of her quilts, Castle said it all comes down to what people are willing to pay for. “Most of the time the quilts are bought just as they’re seen. People will ask me can make them a quilt, and the first thing I ask is how much they’re willing to pay. A kingsized quilt can cost about $700. I usually tell
people I can make something for them but they’re under no obligation to buy,” Castle said. “I don’t save many of my quilts. Once those quilts are gone, they’re gone.” Quilting isn’t Castle’s only passion. She also does tai chi daily, undergoes a weekly two-hour reflexology treatment, writes short stories, is part of a writer’s club and faithfully watches Mexican telenovelas to improve her Spanish. She also just received her concealed carry license. And, of course, she makes time for her husband of 46 years, Ron, who is an award-winning photographer and painter. Together the couple has two children, Clifton and Christopher, and two grandchildren. “Fortunately my husband is also very creative, and we work at different ends of our house. We eat together, and because of our various hobbies, we never run out of interesting conversations. We text each other throughout the day,” Castle said. In 1999 Castle entered her first art show and won. Since then she’s been a regular contributor, not just in shows here but around the state as well. She said she usually comes home with a ribbon, but she doesn’t do it to satisfy her ego.
“For me, if my clients like my work then that’s all I care about,” Castle said. “I have a website (quiltsbysara.com) and I love getting feedback from customers. That just makes my day. Some of them have even come and visited. They’ve come from places like California, England, Australia and Russia, just to name a few.” When Castle isn’t working in her studio she’s working with the Amistad Quilters. The group meets at the Dink Wardlaw Agricultural Complex every Wednesday beginning at 9 a.m. She said that the group swells in size with Winter Visitors, and there’s just a lot of energy from the people who go, both to contribute and those who just want to learn. She also encourages anyone just getting started in quilting to attend a meeting. “We make a lot of charity quilts, items that are auctioned off for a good cause. We also make quilts for residents of nursing homes, newborns or babies that were born premature. We’ve also done quilts for the Wounded Warriors foundation. All of our work is made with love,” Castle said. “They say a blanket warms your body, but a quilt will warm your soul.” •
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Pam Bunch A story behind each painting
Story and photos by RUBÉN CANTÚ
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s you walk into the studio, flashes of the stories she has to tell start catching your eye. Oils and watercolors overflow the second story of the building located at 100 W. Greenwood St. in the heart of downtown Del Rio. The work of Pam Bunch, who has made the Lee-Bunch Studio Gallery her second home since she first opened in 2002, reflects not only her love for the fine arts, but her passion for storytelling, for the cowboy tradition and for regional history. A tour through her studio reveals the connection between Bunch and her work. “When I painted this piece back here we were coming back from a show in Vernon. We saw the cowboys and started taking pictures of them, one of them was waving at us, and we thought we were in trouble, but they were telling us that the gate was open,” she recalls. Another one of her paintings depicts local rancher Bud Whitehead ready to work on a property between Sonora and Del Rio. “Bud was moving cattle near Highway 277, and when we started talking we realized that he had been one of my mother’s students,” Bunch said. Roping, branding and the cowboy scenery are reproduced in every corner of the studio, many in oils on linen boards. The artist states that she has no favorite; all of her creations have a special meaning, 22
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Pam Bunch asks fellow artist David Forks his opinion regarding an oil she is working on.
Country scenery, cowboys, shepherds and goats are among Bunch’s favorite themes.
and every single one of them has a story to tell. Bunch, originally from San Antonio, was raised along the Texas-Mexico border in Del Rio. Her watercolors have been described by peers as outstanding, but boundaries are not for her, and Bunch also enjoys working with oils as much as she can. Bunch likes the challenge of watercolors, because once you lay the first brush strokes “you can never get to the white of the paper again, but in oils you can try and retry until you get the exact idea you had in your mind,” she said. The artist started painting full-time in 1990 after a long hiatus. After taking two art classes at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, in 1963 she married and raised her three boys. She fondly recalls getting her feet wet in the art of painting during her college days. The school was having a Christmas themed door decoration contest, and despite being the only student on the floor who was not majoring in art she claimed the first place. “I was not a very popular girl after that,” she said. From there on Bunch’s artistic experience started rolling, taking workshops and lessons from Texas artists such as Evelyn Hunter, Vernell Leach, Joyce Terry, Ginger Test, Greg Germany, James R. Butler, Phyllis Flemming, Ken Rowland and Chuck Mauldin. Locally, Bunch gained watercolor experience from Firehouse instructor Jim Bob McMillan, while she has also taken workshops from nationally and internationally known artists such as Jan Kunz, Linda Doll, Dan Burt, John Fawcett, Tom Lockhart, Scott Christensen and Kevin Macpherson. Some of her honors include participating in the Red River Valley International Juried Art Exhibit from 20072009, where she won the 2007 Patrons Award, and 2009 Best Western Award. Bunch, a Women Artist of the West associate member, features her work at her own studio and at the Raul Ruiz Fine Art Gallery in San Angelo. She is also an American Plains Artists signature member since 2012 and is a regular in invitational shows including the Party Art Exhibition and Sale, in Kerrville, the Second Annual Brazos River Classic Invitational Western Art Show and Auction in Glen Rose, Texas, 2016; the Stamford Art Foundation Invitational Exhibit and Sale in Stamford, Texas, where she was a featured artist in 2016. She has entered several local, area, national and international juried shows and earned many awards across Texas. Bunch is a member of the Watercolor Horizons Group in Odessa, Texas; the West Texas Watercolor Society in Lubbock, Texas; and the nationally known American Plains Artists. In addition to her paintings, Bunch also does all of her own matting and framing. “Painting is just part of the job. Every frame has to be unique and needs to fit the painting,” Bunch said. •
The artist explains the story behind “Fancy Cowboyin’”, one of her watercolors displayed at the Lee-Bunch Studio Gallery in downtown Del Rio.
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Lilia “Lily” Ramon, an artist at the Casa De La Cultura who teaches Del Rio students how to craft their own sugar skulls for the traditional celebration of el Dia de los Muertos, holds one of her creations. Ramon will teach the “calaverita” classes in October.
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A token of remembrance Story and photos by KAREN GLEASON
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“As practiced by the indigenous ilia “Lily” Ramon opens the door communities of Mexico, el Dia de los of the freezer in the kitchen at the Muertos commemorates the transitory Casa De La Cultura and gently return to Earth of deceased relatives and picks up a palm-sized object wrapped in loved ones. The festivities take place each plastic. year at the end of October to the beginning She carries it to the kitchen counter and of November. . . Families facilitate the unwraps it. Under the layers of plastic is a return of the souls to Earth by laying flower human skull. petals, candles and offerings along the path It’s not a real skull, of course, but a leading from the cemetery to their homes brightly-decorated confection created for el . . .” Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, to In Del Rio, those offerings often include remember loved ones who have passed on. Nirce Amaranta Gomez Hernandez, who oversees cultural affairs for the Mexican Consulate in Del Rio, said, “The Day of the Dead is a festivity where the deceased loved ones are honored and remembered. It matches the Roman Catholic celebration of ‘Todos los Santos y Fieles Difuntos’. It is an ancestral celebration that takes place in Mexico and Central America and even in Brazil (Dia dos Finados) and has been popularized in the United States by the Mexican diaspora.” Gomez said the Day of the Dead is celebrated on Nov. 2, though preparations for the event begin earlier. “This festival is so important and representative of Mexico that it was declared an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in 2003,” Gomez said. A small replica skull made of sugar and decorated with frosting She noted, “The main belief and paint has the word “Friends” written across its forehead, is that the deceased loved ones’ commemorating those who have passed on. spirits return to the earthly plane to coexist once more with their small replicas of skulls made of chocolate living families and ‘relive’ what they or sugar. These are carefully decorated with cherished and liked when they were alive. It bright frosting and paint. The name of the is believed the spirits also come to console deceased loved one is often written on the and comfort the living,” Gomez said. skull’s forehead. Information on UNESCO’s web site Ramon, an artist who has been affiliated explains the holiday further:
with the Casa De La Cultura for nearly 20 years, has been teaching Casa students how to create their own sugar skulls for el Dia de los Muertos for more than a decade. “We started by making the altars, and instead of buying the calaveritas, we decided to make our own,” Ramon said. Calaveritas, she explained, are small human “skulls” crafted from sugar or chocolate traditionally placed on the altars – ofrendas – to remember and to honor those who have passed on. “It can be your friends, relatives, anyone you want to remember. People bring photos and maybe something that person liked to eat or drink,” she said. “The way I understand it, they used to make the altars, but they used real human skulls, and then when the Spanish came and the Church, that changed everything, and the people began using sugar skulls instead of the real thing,” Ramon said. “The name (on the forehead) represents the person who has passed. It says that you’re still thinking about them,” Ramon said. UNESCO’s web site said, “The Day of the Dead celebration holds great significance in the life of Mexico’s indigenous communities. The fusion of pre-Hispanic religious rites and Catholic feasts brings together two universes, one marked by indigenous belief systems, the other by worldviews introduced by the Europeans in the 16th Century.” Javier Nuncio, another Casa artist who walked by as Ramon spoke of the sugar skull traditions, had another explanation. Slapping his chest with his palm, Nuncio grinned and said, “It means that we Mexicans aren’t afraid of death.” •
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David Forks: Legacy on Canvas Story and photos by KAREN GLEASON
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alk into the south Del Rio home of landscape painter David Forks, and your eyes are immediately drawn to the stunning canvases adorning the walls. Move closer and you are transported to another time and place: You are standing in a Hill Country meadow on an April morning. Majestic oaks rise in the distance, the ground at your feet is carpeted with bluebonnets and a clouddotted sky arches above. Forks, a native of San Antonio, moved to Del Rio in October 2016, one more step in his journey toward realizing his dream of living life as a full-time painter. It is a dream that has been a long time coming. “I’d always said, my entire life, one day I’m going to be a painter. One day. One day. So my entire life, I prepared, in some sense. I took photographs on vacations 30 years ago that were for the intent of painting: I’m going to paint this scene. One day, I’m going to paint this. And I really didn’t have the time because I had a wife and kids, and I had to support the family,” Forks said. So he spent decades in the graphic design, illustration and printing industries. Forks said his wakeup call came 10 years ago, after a series of life-changing tragedies. “My oldest brother died of cancer and it really opened my eyes to how short a lifespan is,” Forks said. “I kept thinking about how I’d always said one day I’m going to paint, so when is that one day going to be? I’ve got to make a plan. I’ve got to figure this out,” he said. His brother’s death became the catalyst for the change. Divorce and his mother’s death further fueled his desire to change his life. Forks said he knew he needed instruction, so he began to study the classics of landscape painting literature, especially John F. Carlson’s “Guide to Landscape Painting.” He also read the work of Kevin McPherson. “Everything I read told me the same thing: You have to cover acres of canvas before you’re any good. I look at it this way: If you want to play the piano, you
better start learning the keyboard and the notes and scales before you think you can make a full concert or even a song,” he said. Forks also began completing a painting a day. “The idea is, cover the canvas, and once you’ve covered acres of canvas and done not hundreds of paintings, but literally thousands of paintings, you’re going to get good in spite of yourself,” Forks said. Forks said his standards grew higher too, and now, “I aspire to monumental things. I figure, you shoot for the stars and if you fall short, you may still wind up on the moon. But you’ve got to work as though you’re going to be better than anybody and everybody else, including yourself,” he said. He said his current goal is to leave a legacy. “I want people to look at my work in 100 or 200 years and say, ‘Wow, he was really intuitive’ or ‘I can really feel what he saw’,” Forks said. But, he says, “I’m starting to figure it out, but I also think I still have a long way to go.” Asked why he decided to move to Del Rio, Forks said, “I got sick a couple of years ago, with blood cancer, and I got scared. It was another wake-up call for me.” “I thought, I’m getting ready to pass on before I ever accomplish my goal of painting full-time,” Forks said. Forks changed his lifestyle and his life, and he is now free of the disease. The next step in his transformation came when he purchased an old house in south Del Rio last October, renovated it and moved in to begin painting fulltime. “Growing up in San Antonio, I loved the Hill Country. My mother was from San Diego, Calif., and I heard her dad loved the desert, and I think I got that ‘loving the desert’ gene from him, because I love the Chihuahuan Desert, love the Big Bend area, love Seminole Canyon, love Lake Amistad, and what you have here in Del Rio is not only the perfect size town to live in, and I love that, but also whatever direction I want to go, I have something that’s absolutely inspiring for me to paint,” Forks said. •
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Dia de la Moda
Makeup by Krystal Acevedo & Kim Dupill. Photography by Adriana Ibarra. Styling by Megan Tackett.
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Symantha Cardenas haunts in a floral embroidered long sleeved Umgee dress.
Symantha Cardenas is wearing burgundy tassel earrings from Glam Girlz
Ariana, Elizabeth and Symantha’s fashions can be found at Glam Girlz.
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Elizabeth Rodriguez graces the staircase in an off-the-shoulder floral maxi by Umgee.
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Ariana Rodriguez wears a layered beaded tassel necklace from Glam Girlz
Symantha Cardenas blooms in a floral embroidered long sleeved Umgee dress.
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David Coplan-Castillo cosplays as Batman, the famous DC comic book character. Because of his physique, he is able to fill out the suit easily, but he manufactured the chest emblem, utility belt and other pieces of the costume to make it his own.
The Art of Cosplay Story by BRIAN ARGABRIGHT; Photos by KAREN GLEASON; contributed photos by DAVID COPLAN-CASTILLO
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ometimes just making a costume isn’t enough. For one Del Rio cosplayer, becoming the character truly completes the art. David Coplan-Castillo, 27, is a reallife hero as a member of the Del Rio Fire Department, but in his free time he dons a variety of costumes and becomes a hero to young people in need. A Costumed Hero is Born Coplan-Castillo has been involved in cosplay since 2015. A longtime fan of comic books, Coplan-Castillo said the path to becoming a true cosplayer began with an ugly Halloween costume. “I used to dress up mostly for fun, just for
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random costume parties or events. It was something me and my friends would do for fun. I had never even been to a big comiccon or anything,” Coplan-Castillo said. “When I finally attended my first comic-con I was amazed. I thought the people dressed up there looked awesome, and it all looked like a lot of fun.” Coplan-Castillo said the original plan for his first costume was to dress up as Batman, but the costume he found was low quality and not up to what he expected. Instead, he chose to dress as the popular anti-hero Deadpool. He soon gained notoriety as Del Rio Deadpool and could be seen at a variety of events from comic-cons to Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
“I’m kind of goofy and ridiculous and that’s exactly who Deadpool is. I found a body suit, purchased a really good mask, added some tactical gear and was good to go. In all, it probably cost me about $120,” Coplan-Castillo said. Coplan-Castillo said he has learned to make as much of his costumes as possible using whatever resources he can find, such as craft foam and glue. He said being resourceful and patient can help cut costs for any cosplayer. “Effort can easily substitute for money when it comes to resources,” CoplanCastillo said. “There are some cosplayers that have the money to go out and buy their costumes whole. You can buy some really
well made costumes for $350 to $400. I know some folks that spent up to $3,000 on their costumes.” The Dark Knight Rises … Again Coplan-Castillo finally got to achieve his dream of becoming Batman after joining forces with the Champions of San Antonio, a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving the lives of special needs, sick or at-risk youth through positive mentor interaction and education. Because of his natural size, and his background as a firefighter, becoming the Caped Crusader didn’t prove to be much of a challenge. “I’m 6’ 3” and thick, so I fill out the suit pretty well. I didn’t have to buy a lot of padding,” Coplan-Castillo joked. “I have added pieces – different aspects from different years – to make it my own. The cape is probably the heaviest … it weighs about 12 pounds. The cowl is the hardest part of the costume because it’s solid rubber and there’s no room to breathe sometimes.” He also utilizes a deep, gravelly voice, which has become a trademark of sorts for the modern Batman, thanks to the portrayal of the character by actor Christian Bale in the recent films. But Coplan-Castillo admits he would do anything to be a part of the Champions. “They do everything they can to help youth, and they’ve given me the opportunity to take something that makes me happy and let me use it to make kids happy. This is my hobby, but to a sick kid in the hospital with leukemia … all they know is that Batman just visited them. It can have the biggest effect on them. Their reactions makes what we do priceless,” Coplan-Castillo said. Coplan-Castillo added that cosplay has also allowed him to find some peace in a world filled with troubling issues. “The things I’ve been exposed to through my work can really stick with you. It can affect you. The cosplay helps me let that go. I can escape into a little bit of happiness, and the community I’m part of is really supportive. For that hour or whatever I’m in character I don’t have to think about the bad stuff,” Coplan-Castillo said.
David Coplan-Castillo works with a piece of foam to cut out a design for his next cosplay. Though he’s only be cosplaying since 2015, he has assembled a variety of pieces for characters such as Deadpool, Batman and the Punisher as Captain America.
David Coplan-Castillo strikes an action pose as he cosplays as Batman. Coplan-Castillo said the most difficult part of cosplaying as Batman is wearing the cape, which weighs about 12 pounds, and the lack of visibility from wearing the cowl.
These Batman gauntlets, crafted from foam and other lightweight pieces, were the first ones constructed by David Coplan-Castillo. It can take several tries to get the piece to resemble its final form, but CoplanCastillo said it takes patience and a lot of trial and error to finalize a piece.
David Coplan-Castillo used foam flooring to craft this chest piece for his as-yet unfinished custom Spartan armor from the video game Halo cosplay. It began as a multi-colored piece, but after applying paint and some effects, such as impact points and nicks here and there, it evolved into this piece. GRANDE / OCTOBER 2017
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Batman (David Coplan-Castillo) and Catwoman (Stephanie Johnson) try their best to avoid an awkward situation near the old Plaza Hotel. Coplan-Castillo and Johnson are cosplayers in Del Rio and work alongside the nonprofit organization The Champions of San Antonio.
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The Couple That Cosplays While Batman has never been lucky in love, Coplan-Castillo has been able to best the Dark Knight in that department with a woman who enjoys cosplaying as much as he does. Stephanie Johnson, 25, is the Catwoman to Coplan-Castillo’s Batman. When she’s not working as a tech for Amistad Physical Therapy, she dons a purple body suit, complete with airbrushed muscles, a sculpted cowl and a custom-made belt and becomes Gotham City’s most notorious cat burglar. While she’s only been cosplaying for about a year and a half, Johnson said she enjoys it and all that it encompasses. “You can just be yourself. The community is so open and everyone is so friendly. Everyone is so passionate about these characters,” Johnson said. And like Coplan-Castillo, Johnson is a part of the Champions of San Antonio. Though Catwoman’s role in the comics has seesawed between hero and villain, she said the joy of seeing kids’ faces makes her feel like a hero no matter who she’s portraying. “When those little kids see you, it’s an awesome feeling,” Johnson said. “We work with the Champions and we go help kids and go visit them in hospitals or wherever because a lot of them are battling so much, like cancer. We also raise money for kids that need book supplies and other things like that. We do good in the community, so I do feel like a super hero at times, but (Coplan-Castillo) is like a real hero.” Aside from Catwoman, Johnson has also cosplayed as Marvel’s Death, Fang and Supergirl. She said she’s also going to attempt to cosplay as the Huntress, a sort of female Batman, in the future. That transformation may take a little more than just a bodysuit, but Johnson said she’s ready for the challenge. “I’m learning so much about sculpting and using foam to make armor. I started by making this belt for Catwoman,” Johnson said. “David’s been teaching me, and it’s been so much fun. There are a lot of things we’ve already started to build together.” Unfortunately, Johnson has to deal with something most male cosplayers
While Catwoman is her favorite cosplay, Stephanie Johnson said she has also cosplayed as Fang, Supergirl and Marvel’s Death.
don’t have to and that’s lewd or rude fans who may get a little too personal in their interactions with her. She said that of stuff isn’t appropriate but it doesn’t deter her from doing what she enjoys. “I just kind of blow those comments off. When I cosplay, I’m doing it for a good purpose, I’m having fun and I won’t let them bring me down,” Johnson said. When In Doubt … Internet It!
Though she’s only been cosplaying for a short time, Stephanie Johnson is already learning about creating pieces for her costume. The belt she wears as Catwoman was built out of foam.
Coplan-Castillo said patience is a must when cosplaying, especially when it comes to building your costume. He also said sometimes it’s best to start basic and just build from there. “You’re not going to be the best of the best right off the bat. There’s always someone who is going to spend more and look better. You should find a character you like and find the least expensive way to do it,” Coplan-Castillo said. “YouTube is a great
resource. There are plenty of guys and girls you can watch and see how they do it and then figure out how to do it with what you have. I’ve really started using EVA foam, which is the stuff they use in gym floors or floor matting. Usually you can find it at Home Depot or Walmart. Use a heat gun to shape and super glue or hot glue to keep it all together. You can create any outfit with imagination and a lot of trial and error.” •
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Country Mouse Cosplay Story by BRIAN ARGABRIGHT; photos by KAREN GLEASON, Contributed photos by ERIKA HARD
Erika Hard does all she can to truly mimic the character she cosplays as. In this case, she donned red contacts to match the color of the eyes of Megumin, the anime character she is portraying at this year’s San Japan X.
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ike a sculptor who turns simple clay into a beautiful display piece, there are some Del Rioans who turn everyday objects into weapons of fantasy and go from being regular citizens to heroes of worlds we only read about. Cosplay, the art of dressing up as a character from a movie, book or video game, has been around for as long as there have been fans of pop culture. And make no mistake, these aren’t costumes you simply buy off the rack. These are costumes that feature custom made pieces and are created to come as close to their inspiration as possible. The Country Mouse Roars Erika Hard, 37, has been a fan of comic books and pop culture since she was a young girl growing up in Presidio. When she got 38
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to high school her tastes started to tilt more towards anime, a style of Japanese film and television animation. “I read Marvel and DC and I’ve always been into the horror genre. I loved special effects and how they were created,” Hard said. A self-professed fan of Halloween, it was around that holiday that Hard began putting her first costumes together. But it was the difficulty in finding a costume for one of her favorite video game characters, Chun Li from the popular Street Fighter franchise, that led her on the path to becoming a cosplayer. “I purchased a badly made Chun Li costume, and when I took it home and really looked at it I thought I would try and make my own. Eventually I was able to do so and from that point every time I tried to make a costume my skills improved. Soon I was able
to do more intricate designs and costumes. To be honest, I really learned through practice and a lot of trial and error,” Hard said. Where to Begin? The road to a completed piece for Hard begins with reference photos of whatever she’s trying to replicate. Action figures of the character work best, she said, but if those aren’t available, then it’s onto the Internet to find as many reference photos from as many different angles as possible. From there, she takes butcher paper and breaks down the costume into pieces, drawing them out free hand, cutting the pieces out and taping them to herself to ensure she gets just the right fit. “I learned to use cheap fabric and make a mock-up of the costume. From there I can
The head of the anime cat Chomosuke begins to take shape. Erika Hard hand stitched the eyes and created the small plush prop to accompany her Megumin cosplay.
The anime character Megumin yells “Explosion!” as she casts her spell. The character was brought to life by Erika Hard, who has been cosplaying for about three years. The costume and staff were built and sewn by Hard with help from her husband Chris.
Erika Hard used foam board to carve out the top of the prop that would become Megumin’s mystical staff. When making props, Hard said she has to account for its weight as she’ll be carrying them around, so she uses lightweight materials in the build.
Chris Hard helps his wife Erika mold a piece of Worbla thermoplastic around a wooden staff to create Megumin’s mystical staff. The lightweight material, which is highly popular among cosplayers, can be molded to almost any shape using heat.
tailor it to myself,” Hard said. “I try to make as much from scratch as possible. The footwear is usually the only thing I have to buy.” The character’s props are just as essential as the costume and creating those from scratch is something new for Hard. “My husband Chris helps me out with my props a lot. Just like the costumes, I try and find reference photos from different angles. That really does help. I also have to consider the weight of the prop, so that’s why I use a lot of PVC or insulation foam. That’s pretty lightweight,” Hard said. “Sometimes the props come from whatever I have around the house. For the Doctor Strange I did for Del Rio Comic Con I sculpted the Eye of Agamotto necklace out of oven-baked clay and then painted an old candle holder to finish it.” Trust the Process When Hard sets her mind to a costume, that’s what will have her attention for the foreseeable future. She has a regular job as a legal assistant with Cowan & Cowan, but when she’s working on her costume, her free time will be swallowed up by that project. “I work primarily on the costume on the weekends. Sometimes I won’t see my friends for a month and a half when I’m working on a piece,” Hard said. “If you’re really devoted,
give yourself plenty of time if you want to make quality stuff or if you want to make something to be proud of. And be patient. I still get frustrated, I cry and I get stressed, but you have to be brave and take risks with your work. And practice … it won’t come out good the first time you do it, but the more you practice the better it’ll come out.” Hard said the other thing people starting out in cosplay should remember is that there is help out there for them on the World Wide Web. “Don’t be afraid to seek out others who do it online, like in videos on YouTube. The Internet is a wealth of information,” Hard said. “And don’t be afraid to hit up the hardware store. You’d be surprised what you can make out of what you find there. And don’t give up. You’ll get that satisfaction from a completed project, and it’ll pay off in the way people appreciate what you’ve done.” Ready for My Close-up Since she began cosplaying Hard has already completed nine costumes including the Chun Li costume, a Tanooki Suit from the Super Mario Brothers franchise, a Noel Vermillion from the popular BlazBlue series and her most recent work, Megumin from the KonoSuba anime. Megumin will be revealed
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publicly at San Japan X convention in San Antonio. “All the ones I have done are characters I really love. I guess that helps me appreciate it more because it’s a character I can really enjoy,” Hard said. “I still get very nervous before going out in public. I have shyness and social anxiety issues, but cosplay helps get me out of my shell. When I go to a convention and someone recognizes my work it makes my heart skip a beat because it means someone knows exactly who I am. That brings me joy.” •
All of Erika Hard’s costumes begin with a hand-drawn sketch. Here, she has included notes for colors and materials that will bring the costume for Saya from High School of the Dead to life. This costume was made for the 2014 New York Comic Con.
Hard, a legal assistant with the law firm of Cowan & Cowan, has been a devoted cosplayer since 2014 and has created nine costumes including her newest piece, Megumin from the KonoSuba anime. It can take several weeks or even months for her to create each work of art including the costume and props.
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Though she’s made costumes for herself, her husband and her niece, Hard considers her cosplay as Noel Vermillion from BlazBlu for San Japan 2015 as her favorite.
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20 THINGS
You Didn’t Know About
CRIS ESCOBAR Compiled by JOE PAGAN; photos by KAREN GLEASON and CRIS ESCOBAR
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uralist and teacher Cris Escobar uses art to enrich and beautify the community by telling the stories of its history and culture. Escobar works as an art teacher at Del Rio High School and has painted and helped direct the painting of a number of different murals in Del Rio, including those outside the Casa De La Cultura. He said placing and painting murals is a little different from exhibiting art in a gallery. “Murals are a visual medium that are out there in the community. They are not hidden away. They are out in the community, exposed. Murals are a way of sending out a message, especially in times of need. They send a message, whether it’s about social justice or cultural awareness,” Escobar said. He said he also hopes his murals help teach the community, especially its young people. “There are a lot of kids out there who are lost. I am a high school art teacher, and I just wanted to be more hands-on with my work and helping kids and this community,” he said.
• I am included in a book titled ‘Triumph of Our Communities/Four Decades of Mexican American Art.’ The book was printed in 2005 by Arizona State University’s bilingual press. • I am in the process of editing and putting the finishing touches on a film entitled ‘El Dia de el Cabritio.’ This is a documentary piece that includes both my mother and father as the main characters, providing me the information about an authentic Mexican dish known as ‘fritada.’ This is a dish that requires special steps to prepare. I started this documentation process in 2010 until the passing of both my parents early this year. • I consider myself an outdoorsman. I love camping
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out and anything and everything dealing with nature. I have been fortunate to travel with my family to places like Mount Rainier, the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park, the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Zion National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Gila National Forest, Lincoln National Forest, Mount Rushmore, Yosemite National Park, Big Bend National Park and others. I am a firm believer in the preservation of our beautiful and vast wilderness for generations to come. • I also enjoy riding horses and document any and all cowboy stories as my father was a true cowboy himself. Before the passing of my mother and father, I made it a goal to gather as many stories to learn more about the sacrifices he and my mother made in the early days of turmoil. They spoke about how they were affected by discrimination and how they surpassed and survived with the bare essentials. • I love to deer hunt and learned to field dress deer, thanks to my father. • I love to paint to the sounds of Latin jazz. I am a fanatic fan of Carlos Santana and other
groups like Malo, el Chicano, and Tierra. • I enjoy learning more about our cultural history and make it a point to interact and meet people that are experts on this type of history. • I enjoy working with youth and feel it is critical to educate and assist them in gaining insights about their own race, history and culture. I want them to feel a sense of pride and to recognize the accomplishments of important figures of their respective race or ethnicity. In my case, it would be the Mexican American and Chicano based on the specific region of the United States we’re living in now. • I was a migrant farm worker for at least 18 years of my life. I worked harvesting a wide variety of crops. My last year of migrant work was in early 1981. I was attending my first year of college. This is not a way of life you would want to experience! Working 12 hours a day, being exposed to pesticides, snakes, mud, mosquitos, flies, the hot burning sun, low wages and at times facing a racist rancher, and getting Paid unfair wages for hard work is not
a life. Our parents had no choices in those times. There was no other source of bringing in income. It was hard work, we survived and learned a lesson about work and preferred staying in school and getting a higher education. • I have held other positions of employment in the past. I was an artist-in-residence with the Texas Commission on the Arts from early 1980s to 1996. I painted eight murals for the Brownsville School District in 1996. • I started painting murals in 1998 with a mural arts organization in San Antonio. • My work has been exhibited in Denver, Colo.; Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Brownsville, Uvalde and Del Rio. • My artwork has been collected by two major Chicano art collectors: Dr. Gil Cardenas of Notre Dame University and Dr. Ricardo Romo of the University of Texas San Antonio. • My artwork was also part of a major magazine entitled ‘Tonantzin,’ distributed by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Organization. I was selected as a second-place winner of the annual Tejano Conjunto Festival held each
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Cris Escobar painting in his home studio sometime in the early 1980’s
year in San Antonio. • Most recently, over the summer, I was able to visit with Chicano visual artists in San Diego and Los Angeles, Calif. This has opened new venues for exhibiting my artwork and getting added exposure. It also created a new connection with other muralists and visual artists. • I worked as a youth counselor in the 1980s and 1990s for the city of Del Rio Youth Counseling Center. I also did substance abuse counseling with United Medical Center’s drug awareness program. • I have been part of El Comite Cultural del Pueblo since it was established in the late 1970s, early 1980s. I have painted numerous murals throughout Del Rio. • I frequent San Antonio, as my daughter is finishing her child psychology master’s degree internship with the University of
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Texas at San Antonio. I know numerous well-known artists in San Antonio and had an exhibit at Gallista art gallery for over 15 years until its recent closing. Other artwork has been exhibited at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Centro Cultural Aztlan and every year in the month of November, on the first day of Christmas shopping, at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center in San Antonio. • I consider myself an amateur photographer and like to do many photorelated projects. • Other cities I have traveled and visited are New York, Philadelphia, Pa.; Washington D.C., Atlanta, Ga;, Miami and Orlando, Fla; and most recently, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Calif; Seattle, Wash; and Las Vegas, Nev. •
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Out There
Royal Journey Story by Karen Gleason, contributed photos by Mike Gleason and Karen Gleason
A female Monarch spreads her distinctive black, white and orange wings as she takes a brief rest in a butterfly garden planted in Lt. Thomas Romanelli Memorial Park along the San Felipe Creek.
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Monarch butterflies begin to pass through Del Rio to their winter roosts in Mexico in September, but the height of their migration through Val Verde County takes place in mid-October.
Monarch butterflies cover the branches of a huisache in Moore Park during the height of their migration.
I
t begins with a few individuals in September, the orange and black of their small wings a striking contrast against the deep blue autumn sky. These few become dozens later in the month, and in early October, the dozens become hundreds. By mid-month, the trickle of Monarch butterflies passing through our area on their epic annual migration becomes a flood. Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of these astounding insects will cross Val Verde County on their way south to their winter roosts in the fir forests on mountain slopes near Mexico City. Late in a mid-October afternoon, the Monarchs can be seen fluttering along the San Felipe Creek and the nearby Madre Ditch irrigation ditch in Moore Park. As the autumn sun sinks lower and lower in the
sky, the butterflies begin to alight on trees along the two waterways. In some places, they may cover nearly every branch on a streamside huisache or palm. In others, they form dense clusters at the ends of bare branches. If you only glance at them, you might mistake them for orange leaves. When the sun comes up the following morning, the butterflies slowly begin to move. A pair of wings opens slowly, once, twice. As the sun climbs higher and the day begins to warm, the butterflies become more active. There is a lot of fluttering among the hanging insects, some flying out and settling back on the communal roost. Occasionally one of them will set off in earnest, always heading south. Walking among the roosts in mid-
morning sends entire hanging columns of Monarchs into the air, giving an observer the sensation of being engulfed in a butterfly blizzard. The sound of their wings creates an audible rustling. It is a truly magical experience. No less awe-inspiring is the overall, multigenerational migration of the Monarchs that brings them through Val Verde County each year. From MonarchWatch, which uses the observations of citizen scientists to track the butterflies across North America: “In all the world, no butterflies migrate like the Monarchs of North America. . .Their migration is more the type we expect from birds or whales. However, unlike birds and whales, individuals only make the roundtrip once. It is their children’s grandchildren that return south the following fall.” • GRANDE / OCTOBER 2017
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Beto Riojas watches in fascination as the Monarch butterfly he has just helped tag flutters out of his hands to continue its long journey south to its wintering grounds in the mountains of central Mexico. This photo was taken in the fall of 2011 during a Monarch butterfly tagging program conducted by the students and teachers of Del Rio’s St. James Episcopal School.
Monarch butterflies spread their wings as they warm themselves in the morning sun.
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Last Look
Hello readers - Welcome to our newest feature, The Last Look. Here we summarize the issue from a behind the scenes point of view and, hopefully, provide a satisfying ending to our magazine. This being my first time directly speaking to our audience, I’d like to briefly introduce myself. My name is Megan Tackett, creative director for Grande magazine. My complex role with the magazine is to help make it visually appealing and to provide an additional voice for content creation. Or it’s a novelty title given to keep me quiet for a few minutes. I guess we’ll see. Since I joined the Grande team in May, our team has discussed creating an art issue for our readers. We had already mapped out the themes for the next handful of months, however, no one wanted to wait until 2018 to make the art issue happen. To solve this conundrum, we decided to make October our art month. We integrated our original “changing of the seasons” idea into the art-centered feature stories by incorporating an autumn aesthetic with warm colors like burnt orange (known as “Megan orange” to our production manager) forest green, mustard yellow and burgundy. I hope readers found our efforts to blend art and autumn seamless and effortless. Coming from the Pacific northwest, I love everything that fall encompasses (yes, pumpkin spice lattes. Go on and judge me) and putting this issue together helped satisfied that craving. I hope you enjoy our October issue, and I look forward to doing it all over again next month. See you then! Sincerely, Megan Tackett Creative Director
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