Hotel Sayonara

13/03/2024

When I was 10 years old my grandma asked me what I wanted for christmas and, knowing she didn't have much money, I said I didn't want anything. However, she insisted. What do you really want? she said. In a shy voice I responded: What I really want is a camera. And that's how I got my first camera and my first roll of film, which my grandma paid for in 5 monthly installments.

Photography has been an integral part of my life since. It is not only my career, photography is a way of interacting with and understanding the world; it's a tool for self knowledge and healing. The photography process is second nature to me and I can't imagine my life without it.

Up until her death six months ago at age 92, my grandma was the biggest supporter of all my creative endeavors. I miss her every day and I know I will miss her until it's my turn to go. There are people in our lives that help us believe we can do anything. If you've got some of those, go love on them and show them your gratitude before it's too late. When it's all said and done, these relationships are what really matter in life.

01/03/2024

Today marks 6 months since my grandma left us. Half a year has already passed. I still often find myself with a familiar urge to call her then I feel a sting that reminds me that's no longer possible. Death is so finite and when it happens suddenly, without announcing itself, it is such an odd thing in the hearts of the living. Sometimes it feels as if a piece of me was torn away in a blink of an eye.

Friends remind me to engage with feelings of gratitude for all the moments we shared. They remind me that it was her time and this time comes for all of us. My grandmother lived a long life and she taught me so much. We are so very different and also incredibly similar in many ways. If we live long enough we are bound to experience great losses. May our grieving hearts be comforted by the immense love that we're capable of feeling.

29/12/2023

Pessoal de Viçosa, amanhã vai ter bazar beneficente para a causa dos animais de rua a partir das 9hrs na calçada do hotel Sayonara. Ajudem a divulgar? Nos vemos amanhã! 😍

08/12/2023

Hello friends, go take selfies with my grandma at Twisted Track Gallery at the corner of 12th and R in downtown Sacramento until Dec 31st. Gallery hours: FRI: 6pm-10pm, SAT 12pm-10pm, SUN 12pm-5pm. Family friendly and free! Second Saturday reception tomorrow Dec 9th.

On display are 7 images from my 20 year project documenting my grandma's recipes and the food culture of my childhood home. These images are a tiny fraction of a huge archive I've been creating for the past 2 decades (!), including still photographs, video and audio interviews and archival materials.

For 45 years my grandma ran a bed and breakfast out of her home, where I grew up. She was most famous for her cooking. Her recent unexpected death has filled my heart with a grief I had not imagined possible. The opportunity to honor her by sharing this work with you has been healing to my heart.

This is part of a group art show by residents of WAL, so you'll also get to check out works by my talented neighbors. Post your selfies and tag me? I'd love to see your cute faces with my grandma. Sending love to everyone and a reminder to go love on your elders while you can.

Twisted Track Gallery R Street Corridor Office of Arts & Culture - City of Sacramento Sacramento365 Sacramento Latino Community Network Capitol Creative Alliance 18th Street Arts Center Sacramento Artists Sacramento Artist Photographers of Sacramento Warehouse Artist Lofts Matt Haines

04/01/2020

A família de 15 pessoas vieram lá do Amazonas! Três gerações! Estão em caravana pela Serra e ficaram hospedados aqui com a gente. Um prazer rever amigos tão queridos! ❤️

31/12/2019

A Xica veio visitar lá da Califórnia pra conhecer o Hotel.

31/12/2019

31/12/2019

Veio até a Xica lá da Califórnia pra visitar o hotel!

31/12/2019

Venha conhecer a bela arquitetura de Viçosa do Ceará!

31/12/2019

Aqui no hotel só tem tranquilidade.

31/12/2019

A Dona Ritinha sempre prestando atenção aos detalhes.

31/12/2019

A nossa querida Rosário pisando o café no pilão após torrar no fogão a lenha.