The Mural: 2013 Sept.    Ayuwaska – Cabanaconde, Peru – Pachamama The hat inspired mural snuggled inside of the restaurant/bar and the focal point of the room About the Mural: The inspiration came from the native woman’s dress of the pre-incan town of Cabanaconde and Colca Valley region.  The my mural showcases images of the birds, flowers, trees, cows, corn, food spirals, North, South, East, West, depicted in then tiny stitches of the indigenous Cabanoconde woman’s hat. Whil

Where:  Anaconda Lodge – Puerto Maldanado, Peru – Anaconda Lodge; Acrylic Paint 2013; The location is next to the Madre de Dios river that hosts camine, unclassified fish and countless endemic birds. Tiny motos zipping around the bumpy dusty streets, woman skilfully crafting plates of fish, meat, and chicken with rice, dramatic soap operas roar through the vendors tents who scream into the crowded alleys to buy ice cream, vegetables, electronics, toothpaste or toliet paper. T

Tena, Ecuador – The Jungle. Loud animal noises, neon yellow, green and brown luscious trees (bigger than you have seen in your whole life), pounding singing rain for days (literally), poison tree frogs (only if you eat them), unique jungle fungus (not on me, on the trees), hundreds of bug bits, turquoise translucent blue butterflies, dancing moths around lights, and hot heat filled the life of the Amazon jungle. Tena, Ecuador was my home for almost a week while I painted my m

Where: Salento, Colombia. It is a small town in the coffee region of Colombia. It offers some wonderful coffee tours, hiking, horseback riding, and gorgeous scenery. This place was definitely a stop I would suggest for people that actually want a vacation. The energy of the mountains are gran and infectious. I painted this mural in the kitchen of ¨La Serrana ¨ a hostel about 25 minutes within walking distance from the town. They offered vegetarian meals in their restaurant, c

Where: Palomino, Colombia; a little town next to the Sierra Nevada’s and the Caribbean Sea. What: One boat on a beach, with gasoline, coal, and thinner! Woah you would not believe the smell! The boat was located directly on the beach next to the Sea in front of a juice stand. Length of time: Two days, a total of 10 hours. The woman that commissioned me to do it also helped me paint. What a joy! Accommodation: Free Juices! Zapote (a costal fruit of the Caribbean) with milk was

Where /Palomino, Colombia, a little town next to the Sierra Nevada’s and the Caribbean Sea. The hostel was just a month old when I arrived. The hostel was The Dreamer Hostel on the Beach. They Dreamer had a restaurant, swimming pool, and bar. It was a relaxing couple of weeks. The downtown had about 300 people and there was a disco tech that was open every Saturday night. There was only a handful of hostels there and the town is definitely not a tourist place. This made for a

What a pleasure it’s been to spend three weeks painting in a house, not a hostel and alone! This piece is in the second story of an apartment home. It overlooks the sea, has great light and the wall was over 10 feet tall by 12 feet wide. This piece was on a flat surface and had some light structures to the left and right. I also did not have a ladder which made for some messy painting when trying to get to the high surfaces. Location: Cartagena, Colombia. A rather small Spani

Santa Marta at Hostel de Jackie. This hostel is located just 3 blocks from the beach and in downtown. Before I enter a city I will e mail a hostel and ask if they need a mural. In return I say that they can give me free room and, if possible, food as well. This was my first mural and I am glad it is done! I listened to a lot of Spanish pod casts while doing it. I also switched rooms at this hostel maybe 15 different times, as my room was free and I needed to switch where peop

Palomino was one of my most favorite places to be and I feel so fortunate to have stayed as long as I did. It has not been struck my tourists yet and is a must see if you want something tranquilo (relaxed)! Living for three weeks in Palomino was one of the best experiences I have had so far travelling. Despite the hundreds of bug bites and sand flea bites (he-hen) I had a great time working for the Dreamer on the Beach Hostel. I love to get to know a place really well and fee

Feliz Navidad to all! I had a wonderful Christmas! I especially want to give a big thanks to Kimberly and all my family in Seattle for sending me such a lovely video! I feel so thankful to have that video and the an amazing family! Kimberly you are the best. Some highlights in the video- Sue with Santa, Charlie talking, James new haircut, Tina getting cut off by the kids, Joesha trying to learn Spanish, and seeing everyone’s smiles and love that they were sending to me! Thank

Yesterday I took a bus from Bogota to Medellin about a 9.5 hour bus ride. The bus was pretty comfortable despite the fact that I sat next to a guy that was sick and was too large for his own seat! Despite the odds I was able to fall asleep. I arrived in Medellin early morning and checked int my hostel, ¨The Pitstop¨ which has a pool (two yellow labs mom and daughter), a full bar and 100 rooms. I have to say it feels a little like jersey shore. Sometimes these hostels are so a