Alison Trujillo

Bullfights. Love ’em? Hate ’em?

Bullfights. Love them? Hate them? Not sure? Well, there are lots of opinions swirling around about bullfighting these days. Here are some highlights in the news…and my opinion further down. Patricia McCormick, the first woman bullfighter from North America, passed away in 2013: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/us/patricia-mccormick-bullfighter-who-defied-gender-roles-dies-at-83.html?ref=bullfighting The Spanish senate just passed a law recognizing bullfighting as aContinue reading “Bullfights. Love ’em? Hate ’em?”

Working to Save Sea Turtles

A recent event in Costa Rica has me reminiscing about my time there. Today El País ran an article about the killing of conservationist Jairo Mora, a Tico, who worked to preserve sea turtles on the Caribbean coast of his country. This sad news highlights the high emotions that surround the preservation of sea turtles. Some CostaContinue reading “Working to Save Sea Turtles”

Calavera Love

Día de los Muertos is just around the corner. Last year I posted pictures from here in San Francisco. This year I’m sharing some lovely, unique images. ¡Feliz Día de los Muertos! Photo 1 credit: photopin.com Photo 2 credit: Illustration by Jose Pulido Art Photo 3 credit: Wayne Hunthausen Photography Photo 4 credit: Linocut by Lori DeanContinue reading “Calavera Love”

Homes to inspire

I just finished redecorating my bedroom. Along the way I encountered some beautiful design ideas from firms and individuals located in Spain and Latin America. In more rural areas of places like Costa Rica, nature is gorgeously incorporated in spaces like Casa Kike. This light-filled apartment in Bogotá, Colombia is a lovely oasis from theContinue reading “Homes to inspire”

My Top 4 Tips for Language Learning

I recently started taking Italian classes: Elementare Uno. So far I am thoroughly enjoying myself – I’d forgotten how wonderful it feels, after fumbling with words and tentatively mumbling a new verb conjugation, to be able to finally put a sentence together! Being a language student has reinvigorated my understanding of the general student experience.Continue reading “My Top 4 Tips for Language Learning”

Surrealism and Remedios Varo

I’m currently reading “Remedios Varo: Unexpected Journeys” by Janet A. Kaplan, professor of art history and executive director of Art Journal. Few books have been written about Remedios Varo, and Kaplan’s work, published in 1988, is a thorough journey into the artist’s life and gorgeous, captivating artwork. I first learned of Remedios Varo as an undergraduateContinue reading “Surrealism and Remedios Varo”