Tonantzin ~ Our Lady of Guadalupe
18" x 24" acrylic on wood
© Rossana Reis, 2014

For background information, please visit article “A Short History of Tonantzin & Guadalupe: A Bridge of Light Between Cultures” by Grace Sesma at this link: http://indiancountrynews.net/index.php/news/19-educational-news-and-programs/6538-a-short-history-of-tonantzin-our-lady-of-guadalupe

[image description: This painting is divided into two halves almost merging together by the harmony of symbols and vibrant colors. Half of Tonantzin's face and bare shoulder is on the left with red skin tone and purple shadows and highlights. Her pupil is blackish and the iris of her wide, slightly bent, almond-shaped eye is purplish against greenish schlera. The snakes extending from her head are in purple (top coat) and green hues (belly). Her neck and chest is adorned with a turquoise necklace from which half a skull surrounded by two green leaves hangs; she is also adorned with an earring of a yellow sun with red-orange rays on blue background and yellow trimming around the earring and hoop. She is wading in the ocean and the mountains appear smaller in the background. Half of Guadalupe's face and shoulders is on the right; her skin is a warm, radiant and glowing medium brown. Her pupil is blackish and the iris of her wide, slightly bent, almond-shaped eye is bluish against her whitish schlera. The full lips of both Tonantzin and Guadalupe appear to merge with bluish/teal hues. Their nose also merges with the same long and broad shape. She is wearing a flowing blue shawl dotted with white stars; underneath this shawl, she is wearing a yellow shawl with hints of light greenish polka dots. Her garment underneath is orange. Guadalupe is adorned with a pearl necklace from which half of a rose hangs with two bones in place of leaves; she is also adorned with a whitish crescent shaped earring representing the moon. The maguey plants appear smaller in the background. An illusion of a brown frame with twisting thorny stem from a rose surrounds both Tonantzin and Guadalupe together.]