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Natalia Anciso Wears Her Art on Her Sleeve

Published

6 years ago

November 5, 2019

Natalia Anciso has a real eye for color. She has to—she’s an artist. But you don’t have to see her work—which prominently features the bright hues of near-neon flora— to see how Anciso has mastered the use of bold, vibrant colors.

When we meet at Royal Ground Coffee, she emerges through the glass double doors in a cobalt blue t-shirt, scarlet pleated skirt, and indigo glasses. Framing her face is a pair of wood-carved earrings, big red roses in full bloom. She’s impossible to miss.

Though the palate she wears is loud, Anciso herself is surprisingly soft-spoken. Anciso is an artist of inarguable renown; her work has been exhibited around the world, and she’s been featured in high- profile magazines like Elle and Latina. She even earned a shout-out from former Secretary of Education John King, Jr., who said, “How can we expect a student to become the next Kara Walker, Natalia Anciso, or Kehinde Wiley if she’s never analyzed a painting, or had the chance to deeply study American history?” Clearly, Anciso is kind of a big deal.

But you’d never know it from chatting with her over iced teas on a warm, clear day in Berkeley. She speaks gently, sketching out her ideas with thought and care. As she talks, she focuses on her experiences rather than her achievements. She radiates humility, and she says she has her roots to thank for that.

“Texas is home,” she says. “Texas is what shaped me and keeps me humble, especially the town I’m from.” That town is Mercedes, where Anciso grew up and discovered her artistry. A border town, Mercedes is populated by Chicano families who have lived there for generations. She calls it “a very small football town,” like “Friday Night Lights but all Mexican American people.”

Mercedes is also in one of the poorest counties in the United States, and tensions around class, ethnicity, and immigration status permeate the region. These are also the issues that directly and profoundly shape Anciso’s work as an artist.

“Art has been a constant in my life,” she says. “Since I was little, I’ve always been drawing. I started with coloring on walls, and then copying Disney characters, then that evolved to comic books. I was always drawing, drawing, drawing.”

As she got older, she used drawing to understand and work through the social, political, and economic forces that shaped her hometown, as well as the nation. “Drawing is a kind of meditation, almost. I got to reflect a lot in my studio,” she says. “My work deals with experiences of growing up on the border, not really feeling like I’m American enough but being super American to people in Mexico.”

She also draws a lot of inspiration from the connections between her own experiences and the state of our nation. She speaks euphemistically about the current immigration crisis, letting her art speak for her: “It’s hard to process the news, the images that come out . . . how much the people look like me and my family,” she says.

Anciso’s work especially reconciles her identity and her place in America. “One reason I’m always drawn to the border is because my grandma lived three miles from the border, and if we had been just three miles south, that could have been my family.”

Again, she speaks in fairly imprecise terms, especially when it comes to talking about the xenophobic politics that currently endanger countless immigrants. She means to say that her family, too, could have been forced by circumstance to swim across the Rio Grande or trek through the Mexican desert, could have been captured by Border Patrol or held captive in a Texan prison camp. But she makes this point incisively with her art; you know exactly what she meant just by looking “Migra” or “Cruzando,” two of the countless potent drawings she’s produced in the last decade.

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Anciso’s drawings have a striking simplicity to them. Her canvases vary—she draws on everything from paper to fabric, even pillowcases and handkerchiefs—but her drawing style is distinctive, unmistakable. She mostly draws people: students, mothers, fallen soldiers, weary migrants. She draws everyday people, suffering people, people who, she says, “look like me.”

Her central figures are sketched in detailed greyscale. Her technique alone is incredibly impressive. And then, there’s the flowers.

Anciso’s artistic signature is the stunning, delicate, and fully alive flowers that populate her drawings. Shaded with bright colors—pinks, blues, oranges—Anciso’s vibrant flora inject her images with life and love. These tender reminders of growth hover within most of her pieces. In some, they consecrate moments of human beauty: a mother breastfeeding her child, two elderly lovers on a park bench. In others, flowers bloom at the most unexpected, heartrending moments: they sprout from corpses or adorn a crying child.

And the flowers are not just an aesthetic addition—they have deep-seated significance for Anciso, both personally and culturally. “Flowers have always been a big thing in my life,” she says first. “Both my grandmas always had roses everywhere in the house.”

Then she thinks for a moment: “That, and I started researching huipil, those shirts that are embroidered, traditional.” Huipil are Mayan textiles worn by indigenous women throughout Latin America, with meaning woven into their designs. “I started researching [huipil]. I just knew that they were super colorful and bright and I liked them,” she says. “But the flowers that they embroider are specific to location, and that’s what inspires me.”

Anciso adapts this same purposeful artistry in her own floral work. “In my artwork, the flowers that I use are specific,” she says. “So in the work that I’m doing here in California, you’ll usually see the California poppy. When I was doing work based on the border, it was blue bonnets and native flowers [like] hibiscus.” In honor- ing and adapting cultural traditions born south of the border, Anciso has cultivated an original style and a deeply moving body of work. Her oeuvre is at once a clash, a tribute, and a radical act of resistance.

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Anciso’s work confronts you. It puts you face-to-face with the people sidelined by American history and culture; it’s as sociopolitically charged as it is beautiful. One could be surprised that such incisive work could come from a person as mild- mannered and amiable as Natalia Anciso. Or it just might make perfect sense.

“I’m a quiet person; I’m an introvert,” Anciso says. “I won’t be the kind of person who goes out and protests. I do that through my art.” Indeed, her work is her own unique form of protest, a kind that allows her to contribute the larger political conversation through her own special set of gifts.

Anciso’s work is undoubtedly protest art. But her art also has a tenderness, even an occasional whimsy, that makes it truly singular. In her artistic practice, she creates with a clear intention: starting important conversations. “Art is an access point,” she says. “Art plays a big role in getting issues out there and getting people to talk.”

This philosophy of art as an access point has also guided Anciso in other aspects of her life. Anciso isn’t just a full- time artist, but also a full-time teacher. She’s always loved working with kids, and she now teaches elementary school students in the East Bay. She got her MA in Education at UC Berkeley; she loves that Cal’s program emphasized social justice and equity, though she laments its lack of diversity.

She’s deeply and admirably invested in her students, a champion of arts education and a firm believer in the value of empowering young people. She was struck by the disconnect she saw in her students when she initially taught after-school programs. Dismayed to see kids excited about practicing art after school while hating their actual classes, Anciso felt she needed to be in the classroom. “It was really important to be a role model to kids that look like me and came from my same type of background,” she says. “I love working with kids, teaching them art, teaching them how to have a voice and use their voice.”

Somehow, Anciso manages to balance full-time careers as both an artist and a teacher. “A lot of the artists I look up to are also educators,” she says. But, still, wearing both hats has its challenges. “It’s been very difficult. Especially since I have my son.”

I must have forgotten to mention— when Natalia Anciso emerged through the glass double doors of Royal Ground Coffee in those bright colored clothes and those big floral earrings, she was also carrying her young son close to her chest. He has inquisitive eyes and smooth, shiny black hair like hers. On top of being a full-time artist and educator, Anciso is also a full-time mom.

At this point, it’s perfectly reasonable to wonder if she is superhuman. She clarifies that she’s not: “People say you’re this famous artist; I just feel like a regular person who is trying to survive the day and get my son potty trained.” Fair enough.

But Anciso is undeniably a “famous artist,” whether she necessarily likes that classification or not. “It wasn’t until a few years ago I felt comfortable saying I am an artist,” she admits. She points to the stigma that comes with “telling people you’re an artist.” Fortunately, now that she’s grown into her artistry, she’s able to inspire the next generation of artists in her own classroom. She admits, “It’s great to hear kids say, ‘I want to be an artist when I grow up.’”

I’m still looking to answer the question of How Natalia Anciso Does It All. She insists she’s a “regular person,” but she must have a secret to her artistic and professional success, perhaps even one she can pass on to other aspiring artists. “Find a community of creative people who are supportive and will help you,” she shares. “Being in the creative arts is very isolating sometimes, and I think it’s important that you have a community to support you.”

Anything else she can share with us struggling young creatives? “It sounds really cheesy, but never give up,” she says. “And just under- stand that it’s very hard. You’re going to feel at times that you’re failing, because sometimes I still feel that way.”

There’s Natalia Anciso the artist and educator and mother. But what about Natalia, the soft-spoken Texan who completes her colorful outfit with black Converse? I want to know her, too.

Turns out, Natalia is pretty cool. No surprise there. Her favorite movie is The Goonies (“I’m big on ‘80s movies”). Her biggest artistic influence is Favianna Rodriguez, for both her use of color and her activism. She thinks the blue bonnet is an “underrated flower” and is the most fun for her to draw.

Her favorite color is “that deep royal blue, kind of indigo.” “Kind of like your glasses,” I remark. She laughs and confirms my observation. Natalia doesn’t laugh easily, and when she does, it’s quiet but honeyed, and it’s always genuine. Making Natalia laugh, even just as an act of factual affirmation, easily becomes the best part of my day.

Anciso’s eye for color is evidenced by her self-fashioning: the bold hues of her outfit, the glasses in her very favorite shade of indigo (a very lovely shade, I might add). She may not wear her heart on her sleeve, but she certainly wears her art. If you’re looking for her heart, you’ll have to check out one of her exhibitions.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

The Smart Violinist’s Guide: 7 Essential Tips for Buying Violin Accessories Without Breaking the Bank

Published

4 weeks ago

August 19, 2025

Sting Fellows

Whether you’re a parent supporting your child’s musical journey or an adult picking up the violin for the first time, navigating the world of violin accessories can feel overwhelming. With countless options at every price point, how do you know what’s worth your investment and what’s just clever marketing?

After years of helping musicians find the right gear, I’ve learned that smart accessory shopping is less about spending the most money and more about understanding what truly matters for your playing level and goals. Here’s your practical guide to making informed decisions that will enhance your musical experience without emptying your wallet.

1. Start with the Essentials: Your Foundation Quartet

Before getting dazzled by premium options, focus on these four must-haves that every violinist needs from day one:

A Quality Bow – This is where you should invest early. A good bow can make even a student violin sound significantly better, while a poor bow will frustrate even advanced players. Look for straight, properly weighted bows with genuine horsehair. Expect to spend 20-30% of your violin’s value on a decent bow.
Reliable Rosin – Don’t overthink this one initially. A basic, well-reviewed rosin like Pirastro or Hill will serve you perfectly well for years. Avoid the temptation to buy expensive “professional” rosin until you can actually hear the difference.
A Protective Case – Your violin needs a home that travels. A sturdy case with proper padding is non-negotiable if you’ll be transporting your instrument regularly. Hard cases offer the best protection, while lightweight alternatives work for careful handling. We recommend Great Violin Cases for a protective case.
Spare Strings – Strings break at the worst possible moments. Keep a full set of your preferred strings on hand. For beginners, steel strings like Thomastik-Infeld Dominants offer durability and consistent tone.

2. Know Your Playing Level—It Changes Everything

The biggest mistake new violinists make is buying accessories designed for their aspirations rather than their current abilities. A $200 professional chin rest won’t help if you’re still working on basic bow hold.

Beginners (0-2 years): Focus on durability and comfort over premium materials. You’re building muscle memory and basic technique, so forgiving, reliable accessories serve you best.
Intermediate players (2-5 years): Now you can start investing in quality upgrades that will genuinely improve your playing experience and help you progress faster.
Advanced players: You’ve earned the right to be picky about tonal qualities and subtle performance differences that justify premium pricing.

3. The Case Against Buying Everything in Sets

Music stores love selling “complete accessory packages,” but these bundles often include items you don’t need while skimping on quality where it matters. Instead of buying a pre-made set, build your collection intentionally:

Buy your bow separately and invest in quality
Skip decorative accessories until you know what you actually prefer
Avoid electronic tuners initially—learn to tune by ear first
Hold off on multiple chin rests and shoulder rests until you understand your comfort needs

4. When to Splurge vs. When to Save

Not all accessories deserve the same budget priority. Here’s how to allocate your money for maximum impact:

Worth the Investment:

Bows (the most important purchase after your violin)
Professional setup and adjustments
Quality strings from reputable manufacturers
A sturdy, well-fitting case

Where You Can Save:

Basic rosin (the expensive stuff rarely justifies the cost for non-professionals)
Simple music stands
Basic metronomes (though modern violin AI tools can provide more comprehensive practice feedback)
Cleaning cloths and polish

5. Try Before You Buy—Especially for Comfort Items

Chin rests and shoulder rests are deeply personal choices that affect your playing posture and comfort. What works for your teacher or favorite YouTube violinist might be completely wrong for your body shape and playing style.

Most violin shops allow you to try different rests, and many offer exchange policies. Don’t be embarrassed to spend time finding the right fit—your neck and shoulders will thank you during those long practice sessions.

6. Research Reviews, But Trust Your Ears

Online reviews provide valuable insights, especially for durability and quality control issues. However, remember that tone preferences are subjective. A string that sounds brilliant on one violin might sound harsh on another.

When possible, ask to demo accessories on your specific instrument. Many shops will let you try strings or bows before purchasing, especially if you’re a regular customer.

7. Build Your Collection Gradually

Resist the urge to buy everything at once. Your needs and preferences will evolve as you improve, and what seems essential today might gather dust tomorrow.

Start with the absolute basics, then add accessories as you identify specific needs in your playing. This approach ensures you’re buying items you’ll actually use while spreading the cost over time.

The Bottom Line: Quality Over Quantity

The violin world is full of gear that promises to transform your playing overnight. In reality, the accessories that make the biggest difference are often the simplest: a bow that feels balanced in your hand, strings that stay in tune, and a case that protects your investment.

Focus on building a foundation of reliable, well-made accessories that support your current playing level. As you progress, you’ll develop the ear and experience to make informed upgrades that truly enhance your musical journey.

Remember, the goal isn’t to own the most expensive accessories—it’s to find the tools that help you play your best and enjoy the process of learning this beautiful instrument. Start smart, upgrade thoughtfully, and let your ears be your guide.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Some Excellent Home Improvement Ideas For Those Who Enjoy The Great Outdoors Here In Australia.

Published

4 weeks ago

August 16, 2025

Sting Fellows

There are those of us here in Australia who prefer to stay in hotels and to enjoy the many services that are offered. There are others however and the numbers are growing every year, who want to get out there and discover the beauty of Australia and they do that by investing in such things as a caravan, an RV and if they want to get out there on the ocean, a nice boat. These things cost money but they also need to be stored properly to protect them from the elements and to protect your investment.

This is when a caravan shed becomes an incredibly appropriate purchase because not only can you keep your caravan in there, you can also keep your RV and your boat depending on your needs. Obviously you will need space to erect such a structure but this will end up saving you an incredible amount of time because you don’t have to pay a third-party for storage. Once the shed is installed, the following are some other excellent home improvement ideas that will protect what you have and to allow you to enjoy the great outdoors here in Australia.

Install an alarm system – Boats, RV’s and caravans are what potential thieves are looking for and they can sell them on very easily or use them for parts. If any of these items are sitting in your driveway, this is like a red flag to a bull and an opportunist thief will start taking a lot more interest in your property. This is why it makes perfect sense that you would install a modern alarm system that can monitor the door of the shed as well as everything inside.

Install some extra lighting – This can be beneficial for everything that is in the shed and everything outside around your property as well. Thieves like to operate in dark conditions and if you have additional lighting installed that operates on a switch and a motion sensor, this will light the whole place up like the proverbial Christmas tree if anyone comes onto the property who isn’t invited in the first place.

Attach some GPS tags – These are very affordable things to purchase and you can hide them anywhere on your property but if someone does manage to get past your alarm system and your additional lighting system, the GPS tags will let you know where your property is at any given time. This will help the police to do their job more easily and the hope is that you will recover your property in a very short space of time. You can use an app for your smartphone so that you know if your property has been moved.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Why Black Wallpaper Is the Boldest Design Move You Can Make Right Now

Published

1 month ago

August 7, 2025

Sting Fellows

White walls are safe. Beige is fine. Gray? Overdone. If you want your space to feel elevated, modern, and a little unexpected—go black. That’s right. Black walls. More specifically, black wallpaper. It’s sleek. It’s edgy. It’s surprisingly versatile. And no—it won’t make your room feel like a cave if you do it right.

Let’s break the myth that black equals dark and depressing. Black is drama. Black is confidence. Black is high design.

Why Choose Wallpaper Over Paint?

Paint can’t compete. Not when you’re going for a rich, layered, designer look. Wallpaper adds more.

Texture: From velvet finishes to embossed patterns, black wallpaper gives you dimension. Paint is flat. Wallpaper moves.
Patterns: Go floral, geometric, abstract, or marbled. You’re not stuck with just “matte black.”
Mood: Wallpaper reads intentional. It feels curated. Like you meant to do this—not like you gave up and painted it dark.

Plus, many designs are peel-and-stick, which means no glue, no damage, no fear. You can test the waters without commitment.

Where Black Wallpaper Works Best

You don’t need to cover every wall in your house. A single accent wall can totally transform a room, but black wallpaper works in more places than you’d think.

1. Home Office

Zoom calls just hit differently with a dramatic black backdrop. Pair it with metallic lighting and minimal furniture. Clean. Crisp. Powerful.

Try a print with subtle lines or a faint sheen. It keeps things interesting without getting distracting.

2. Bedroom

Black in the bedroom doesn’t mean gothic. Think luxe. Think hotel suite. Think high-thread-count sheets and layered textures.

Use black wallpaper behind the headboard for instant drama. Pair it with warm lighting, plush bedding, and natural textures like linen or velvet.

3. Living Room

Want to make your space feel like a design magazine? Go black on one wall. Behind the TV, behind a bookshelf, or as a backdrop to your favorite art.

It makes everything else pop—plants, frames, furniture. Black recedes, so it actually helps highlight your favorite pieces.

4. Entryway or Hallway

Make a statement right away. A black wallpapered entry instantly tells your guests: this house has taste.

Try something patterned or textured. Maybe a moody floral or subtle grid. Add a mirror or bold art for contrast.

What Styles Match with Black Wallpaper?

You’re not locked into one aesthetic. Black wallpaper plays well with almost every design style—as long as you use it intentionally.

✦ Modern Minimalist

Go with solid black or tonal prints. Pair with white furniture. Add natural wood or stone for balance. Keep it clean.

✦ Industrial

Black and concrete? Always a win. Add in exposed pipes, raw wood, and metal fixtures. Use wallpaper with texture—like a worn charcoal finish or faux brick.

✦ Vintage or Art Deco

Go for black with gold accents. Look for wallpaper that features patterns—arches, fans, or dramatic florals. Add velvet furniture and brass lighting. Boom: instant glam.

✦ Scandinavian

Yes, you can go dark and still be Scandi. Use black wallpaper with micro-patterns or organic shapes. Pair with pale woods, white floors, and soft lighting.

✦ Eclectic or Maximalist

Don’t hold back. Go for black with bold patterns—like oversized flowers, birds, or abstract designs. Layer in color with furniture and art. Let your walls be loud.

Light + Black = Balance

Worried about it being “too dark”? It won’t be if you balance it out.

Use warm lighting—table lamps, sconces, candles.
Add mirrors to bounce light.
Keep ceilings and trim light-colored.
Go with gloss or satin finishes for a soft reflection.

Black doesn’t suck up all the light. It shapes it. With the right lighting plan, black wallpaper creates a mood, not gloom.

Black Wallpaper in Small Spaces? Yes, Please.

Small room? Even better. Black can actually make small rooms feel larger and more sophisticated.

It blurs the edges. It softens corners. It hides imperfections.

Try it in:

Powder rooms
Laundry rooms
Walk-in closets
Pantry walls
Reading nooks

It feels like a secret—like a hidden designer moment.

Styling Around Black Wallpaper

You don’t need to change your whole space to work with black. But you should think about contrast and texture.

Try this:

Light-colored furniture: white, tan, soft gray
Natural elements: wood, stone, linen, rattan
Bold metallics: brass, chrome, copper
Greenery: plants stand out big time against black
Bright art: neon, abstract, colorful photography

Black is the canvas. Everything else becomes the art.

Mistakes to Avoid

Even bold design has rules. Here’s what not to do:

Don’t wallpaper every wall unless you have lots of natural light. Start with one wall.
Don’t mix too many black tones. A matte wall, shiny furniture, and charcoal floors can clash. Keep finishes consistent.
Don’t skip lighting. Even one wall of black needs strategic lighting. You want contrast, not darkness.
Don’t crowd the space. Let the wall breathe. Too much clutter cancels the effect.

Why Black Feels So Luxurious

There’s a reason luxury hotels and high-end restaurants use black.

It’s clean. Sophisticated. Timeless. It makes you stop and look. It holds space without shouting.

Black wallpaper creates a sense of intimacy and refinement. Even a simple design feels elevated when the backdrop is black.

Still Nervous? Start Small

If full walls feel too intense, try:

Lining the back of a bookshelf
Adding wallpaper to a closet wall
Framing a wallpaper sample as art
Doing half-walls with wainscoting below
Covering a sliding door or cabinet

Get the vibe without the full commitment. You’ll get addicted fast.

Final Word: Go Bold or Stay Boring

Black isn’t just a trend. It’s a power move. It’s timeless, versatile, and—done right—stunning. The key is balance. The right pattern. The right light. The right accents.

So if your home feels too safe, too soft, too same-old, make a shift.

Go bold. Go deep. Go dramatic.

Explore the full collection of black wallpaper and bring some depth to your design.

You don’t need to knock down walls. You just need to cover them—with style.