MAYAN WOMAN VENDING FLOWERS IN EL MERCADO IN LAGO ATITLAN, PANAJACHEL, GUATEMALA. paintography by MICHAEL FORBUS (MIGUEL) 2007 COPYRIGHT IN THE MERCADO, THE WOMAN SELLS THE WILD FLOWERS SHE GROWS AND GATHERS. SHE LIVES IN ABJECT POVERTY YET SHE IS SATISFIED AND JOYOUS. MY FRIENDS DRIVE RANGE ROVERS AND SPORTS CARS AND THEY SEE THERAPISTS TO FIX THEM. TO FILL THEIR HOLES IN THE HEART. TAKE A HANDFUL OF THESE MAGIC PILLS, THE DOCTOR SAYS AND YOU WILL FEEL NOTHING MORE. YOU LIVE IN THE DARKNESS OF THE CAVE, NEVER SPEAKING OR COMING OUT OF IT, YET YOU DO HAVE YOUR HAND OUT WHEN IT IS PILL TIME. THE DOCTOR IS GOD AND HE SAYS I WILL HEAL, YET HE TAKES YOU FURTHER AND FURTHER FROM YOUR SELF, THE INNER STRENGTH THAT KEEPS YOU SANE AND IN THE LIGHT. HE MAKES APPOINTMENTS AND YOU COME, FEARFUL OF THE CAVE, THE DARKNESS, THE FEAR OF GOING UNDER, YOU TAKE THE SMALL PILLS THAT CHANGE THE CHEMICALS IN YOUR CORTEX AND YOU CEASE TO REMEMBER ALL THE BAD THINGS THAT HAVE HAUNTED YOU, BUT AGAIN ALL THE JOY HAS LEFT YOU ALSO. THE LOVELY WOMAN MAKES HER TORTILLAS BY HAND AND WARMS THEM OVER WOOD, THE CORN SMELL IS PLEASING TO HER. SHE WILL ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH CORN, SHE PLANTS IT. SHE HAS A CAFECITA FOR BREAKFAST THAT SHE HAS TRADED THE COFFEE FARMER FLOWERS FOR, TO DECORATE HIS TABLE FOR THE BEANS THAT ARE FRESH ROASTED AND GROUND. HE IS HAPPY. SHE IS CONTENT. THE FLOWERS GIVE HER GREAT JOY AND THE MERCADO IS HER CAFE AND HER PSYCHIATRIST. SHE TAKES NO PILL BUT SHE EXPERIENCES JOY EVERY DAY. HER CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN LOVE AND RESPECT HER. SHE WORKS TOO HARD FOR AN OLD WOMAN, HER HUSBAND IS SLEEPING WITH THE GODS. BUT SHE IS FULL OF JOY AND LAUGHTER AND NOT FULL OF PILLS THAT MAKE YOU FORGET YOUR JOY BUT SAVE YOU FROM THE DARK CAVE. SHE HAS NO DARK CAVE, SHE HAS HAND MADE TORTILLAS AND A LITTLE CAFECITA CON LECHE AND A VILLAGE THAT LOVES HER AND A HUGE PATCH OF FLOWERS THAT DEPEND UPON HER. AND CUSTOMERS THAT GAIN GREAT JOY FROM THE BEAUTY SHE SPREADS. SHE HAS NO FEAR, SHE IS READY TO FLY ANY TIME THE GODS ARE READY, NO FEAR AND NO PILLS. copyright by Miguel (Michael Forbus) "Art is the heart's explosion on the world. Music. Dance. Poetry. Art on cars, on walls, on our skins. There is probably no more powerful force for change in this uncertain and crisis-ridden world than young people and their art. It is the consciousness of the world breaking away from the strangle grip of an archaic social order." ~ Luis J. Rodriguez.
34 Comments
Julie Mayser 14 Oct 2007
A delightful work of art.... spreading joy to all who view and read the wise accompanying text!Anonymous Guest 13 Oct 2007
Michael, fabulous piece. This woman spreads out the joy of simple life - her smile is contagious. A lively combination! ...some feel the need in drugs, or weapons.., but women, all they need are flowers to feel alive and happy. Have a lovely weekend, dear. NatalieGOlga van Dijk 13 Oct 2007
What a beauty of a happy picture this is Miguel! Great accompanying text as well...love your art-work! ~-- Have a great weekend!-- Love & Light~OLGAJanet Gioffre Harrington 12 Oct 2007
the artwork is unsurpassed and the words are so full of imagery. WONDERFUL, Michael!Mary Ashton 11 Oct 2007
A wonderfully joyous image Michael full of laughter straight from the heart. The text, beautifully written and so very true. All we truly need is love and the inner strength you speak off to enjoy our lives to the fullest. MaryTerry Harris 11 Oct 2007
Miguel, the simple joys of life is what it's all about. I can rid myself of horrors of life by replacing them with the beauty of a flower, a bird, butterfly, the sound of a child giggling. The touch of a love one, the comments of a friend. This woman enjoys life well, her expressiion says it all.Tabitha Borges 10 Oct 2007
what color and playfuliness...just so great..michelle meijs 10 Oct 2007
I like the vibrant colours in this.. very niceKaterina Koukiotis 10 Oct 2007
love the color and her happy expression!! she looks so happy!!KC CHANG 10 Oct 2007
GREAT WORK!Alexandra Dvinitninova 10 Oct 2007
The art of tradition in coloursjoan warburton 09 Oct 2007
Wonderful colors and composition! Love her smile!Mrs.David Jobes(Dee) Jobes 09 Oct 2007
GORGEOUS Paintography,Michael!!!Stunning Artwork!!!Sara Deutsch 09 Oct 2007
Important point you make with this lovely lady..I too have found people living in simple and natural situations to be much more happy than we are.Brigitte Hintner 09 Oct 2007
Just love it Michael ......great portrait and the colour choice is fantastic ! Bravo :-)Robin Brown 09 Oct 2007
This lady has an infectious smile Michael & the colours just leap of the screen & assault the visual senses in a very pleasant way, as always.Nira Dabush 09 Oct 2007
Great composition,Michael..wonderful effects..gorgeous colours.!!Samina Islam 09 Oct 2007
Michael excellent work love the colours!!Lior Goldenberg 09 Oct 2007
Lovely painting, full of joy! Very well done!Gabriele Swanson 09 Oct 2007
very beautiful work.Anneke Hut 09 Oct 2007
Michael this is soooo beautiful! What a happiness and joy for life. The colours are wonderful!jamie winter 09 Oct 2007
thisis awesome Michael. wowChas Sinklier 09 Oct 2007
Yeah nice - pic Miguel - the colors!!! luv em - did somebody mention tortillas?? :0)Emily Reed 09 Oct 2007
WONDERFUL PHOTO, ESPECIALLY THE SMILE!bert cortes 09 Oct 2007
Very nice painting, Michaelthea walstra 09 Oct 2007
I love this artwork a lot Michael. Very artistic and a very good expressionBarry Huyett 09 Oct 2007
very good......so lovely!!!Kathie Nichols 09 Oct 2007
What a delightful artwork Michael, so colourful, and she looks so happy!!!!!!!!!!!Joe Sweeney 09 Oct 2007
Michael hi , beautiful colours and happy feeling from her face, i just love it.Joke Schotting 09 Oct 2007
Beautiful colors Michael in this marvellous portrait!!!Lucia Stewart 09 Oct 2007
Fantastic, fantastic!!!!Karen Cash 09 Oct 2007
wonderfully done and so colorful Michael!Nelly van Nieuwenhuijzen 09 Oct 2007
great colours and marvellous portrait!!!! a happy making work!Joanna Jungjohann 09 Oct 2007
oh michael, so beautifully said and done. marvelous touching work of lovliness. peace jo.