Reb Mari

La Otra Taller Nepantla is made up of 7 artists.  Each person is multi-talented and highly skilled.   Perhaps one day you’ll get the chance to meet them and hear stories from their own lips. Until then, let me tell you a little bit about them through my eyes:

The first thing I noticed about Aminah was her short black hair with one long braid.  It reminded me of Grandmother Spotted Eagle and how she would, at times in ceremony, shave her head yet always leave one small braid to keep her tied to her grandmothers. She is a keen observationalist and listens more than she speaks. A little bit more is revealed to me about Aminah, during our side one-on-one conversations. Something I have learned about scorpios from Amanda (my girlfriend), is it takes time to get to know them; one must be patient and consistent to gain access beyond the surface. I enjoy listening to Aminah speak about being a teacher. You can tell she enjoys the students, but like all teachers, feels drained by the industrial-education-complex.  She doesn’t use many labels, yet she does acknowledge her lineage of Creek and Chickasaw Peoples.  There have been times when we have been loosely playing music in a group and Aminah will begin to free flow lyrics and share some of her rap with us.  The other day, after I took a walk, I spotted her working on a mixed media project. Her eyes were filled with enthusiasm because she was creating an idea that had been in her head and was letting it flow with less need for perfection. Aminah is trained in Martial Science and has degrees in Fine Art and Art History from the University of Texas of San Antonio. I look forward to getting to know her better and hearing stories about her hometown, Biloxi, Mississippi.  @progresstudios

We have watched two movies thus far and both were suggested by Natalia (Carwash, 1975 & Ya No Estoy Aqui, 2019). Music is a big theme in both movies. Natalia (Qween Paz) is a musician and a singer songwriter. Sharing a room with her is easy as she has very laid back energy. It’s nice to meet someone who smiles as much as myself. She is from Corpus Christi and one can quickly see she was raised as a beach baby when you observe how comfortable she is by the sea. She sits right on top of the sand, grabs her guitar and begins to play melodies and serenade us.   She quietly walks into rooms yet not without notice. There is a lingering mix of happy and calm energy that always surrounds her. I saw Natalia first perform at the Pride center in San Antonio a couple of years ago. I read some poetry earlier in the night and Natalia had asked Anel if she could play a few songs after the readings. Those of us standing around, talking amongst ourselves lowered our voice to a silence when she began her set and all heads turned her way. Our attention was captured and not released until she sang her very last note, looked up at us and with a smile said “Thank you”. The audience set off in a round of applause.  It’s ambitious to attempt to describe her unique voice. It’s like a strong melodic whisper riding on a powerful breath of self release and expression. We have had a couple impromptu dance parties with her as the DJ.  At times Natalia hovers on the outside of the group, staying observant and chiming in here and there.  I appreciate her wardrobe of tie dye t-shirts and a black sweatshirt that reads “embrace the rainbow.” For those of you wondering, her sun sign is in Aries.  @qweenpaz

The academic of the group is Alexandra. From Pharr, TX and attending the University ofTexas at Austin, she’s on a full ride scholarship towards her PhD, researching and writing about queer kindships on the border. One of her goals in life is to be a profe and “teach gay, Mexican shit.” One of the first things we connected on was being children of gay parents. The astrological cancer energy is strong in this one and at times it feels as if I am in the room with a younger version of myself. She is dramatic and when I write my next play I will definitely ask her to audition. She says she has FOMO (fear or missing out) which is ironic because she ends up missing out on some group activities because she is attending virtual classes. When she joins the group she is thoughtful, helping Brandy in the kitchen when she can, and making sure everyone has space to finish their thoughts and share their opinions. Tambien ,she has the energies of a nopal born out of this RGV land. It’s a mixture of tenderness and toughness.  @jotxsyrecuerdos

Chispa and wise are two words that come to the forefront on my mind when I want to describe Excy. Standing at 4’11”, with deep eyes and a centered white streak on her black hair makes her seem as if she is from the past and the future at the same time. In this current lifetime, Excy is from Honduras close to the border of Guatemala. When she speaks about native ways and stories she seems wiser than all of us and we attentively listen and drink in the knowledge. The flute is just one of many instruments she plays. She is a natural musician and generous with her teachings. Steadily encouraging all of us to pick up an instrument even if one has never played it before. Similar to how you are drawn to warm glowing fire on a cold night before you know it, Excy has melted away any self doubt around playing a new instrument. Other times, she is like a spark, bouncing around laughing and being silly in her Water is Life sweatshirt and Mickey Mouse pajama pants. This is not the only residency she is part of at this time; and while she is here she is finishing up four songs to present to the public in March. She is growing into her self-confidence and we all here to back her up in that journey. Her sun sign is in Aries. @ceilba_ili

If Anel and I were trees we would be the same species, perhaps mesquite.  We seem to enjoy the same conditions to grow and be happy. I have many memories of Anel at the beginnings of La Botanica. She wanted to make sure it was successful and that is when our friendship began to form.  I found out later that she attended Incarnate Word high school with my cousin Clarissa Rodriguez. In 1992 Anel, Clarissa and other classmates of theirs came to the house we are at now for Spring Break.  I’ll let her tell you more of those stories. Over the last 40 years she has spent many family vacations at Arroyo City. The first thing she does in the morning is turn on a pot of coffee, set intentions, and begin to write.  One cold morning she went down to the dock alone and saw a dolphin swimming up the channel. Since she is working on a memoir she is reconnecting with her inner child, letting herself be more playful, listening to songs that meant a lot to her in the past in her earbuds for hours.  We have laughed a lot these past 12 days. She has some old fears she is trying to release and we spend some time on the dock contemplating the human experience, how to reframe things that cause fear or blocks in the creative process and healing. The other morning we saw a new bird we hadn’t seen before, a Roseate Spoonbill flew above us during the sunrise.  The bright pink feathers against the light gray sky made it easy to spot amongst the other flocks of birds. Thousands of birds flying in the same direction to coexist for another day and upon sun down would migrate back to their resting place like the seven of us will do at the end of the taller. @anelflores

Perhaps you have met Brandy Garcia. She is very active with Lezride San Antonio, a non-profit started by a group of queer women in San Antonio. There were many bike rides that started or ended at La Botanica that she led and yoga/fitness classes that she organized. I met Brandy and her partner Gucci through La B. Brandy is not tall, yet when I think about describing her I want to use the word tall. It’s that she has strong energy and it makes her person take up even more space. Another word I would use to describe Brandy is Femme, high femme with multiple outfit changes in one day, lips painted and with either a scrunchie or headband on her head. The meals she has been cooking are packed with flavor, texture and delicious sauces. We talk a lot about food. She used to own a food truck in Denver City, TX. In the beginning she was nervous and shy but since then has opened up. We all have. Brandy is here to heal and figure out her next steps in life.  There are haunting experiences from her past that she is getting a chance to release into the sacred sea waters. She has an adventurous spirit, speaks proudly of growing up and being her abuela’s favorite. I know she worries if her partner Gucci is eating well while she is away. So Gucci, if you are reading this make sure to eat some fruit and veggies today.  @fantasticbrantastic

It was very important for me to use this time to go deeper into my spiritual journey. I have had the honor to share Danza with my moms via FaceTime while out here. With reverence & obligation we shake our rattles, beat the drums and dance on the earth.  The sacred movements send vibrations rippling out from the Gulf Coast all the way to the Pacific and back. I imagine that our burning copal smoke meets in the sky, over the Four Corners. As far as my art projects, I am stocked with art supplies, Jaranas and an open heart. I am allowing the waters and veintos to guide me. 

I can tell my writing is rusty yet it’s invigorating to return to it.  At times I feel like the Tia of the group, cracking jokes, teasing a little bit here and there and sharing insights I have gathered along the path. When sought out, I offer the Las Otras, thoughts of peace, healing and paradigm shifts. I have really enjoyed learning more about the different birds of the Gulf of Mexico and casting my fishing rod into the ocean. My sun sign is in Cancer.  @rebelmariposa

Being together has been creatively inspiring for all of us.  At times we are working alone in our own space and other times collaborations are happening. We ask for feedback and advice. We kindly and happily center ourselves and then center each other. The mutual respect, inquiry and admiration allows us to be present and bring forth creations that are buried deep within us. 

Tlazocamati Ometeotl

🙂 Please consider supporting my work and next’s years residency/taller by sending money through Venmo or CashApp @ rebelmariposa