Cristina

Cristina
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Here’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, a sunny, cultura-rich land where la gente are the majority. As a child I spent my days doodling unicorns and puppies and people and anything that caught my fancy. Drawing was my life, and I dreamed of one day being an artist. After high school, I left town for a bit to attend Yale University but ran back to Texas as soon I’d tossed my graduation cap in the air. I got a “real” job in advertising, where I met my wonderful husband, Victor. In 2005, I got a little brave and decided to step into art full time, for the first time. I spent a year recreating the Mexican Loteria, updating it to reflect the symbols and culture I knew: the “Tex Mex” version. The My Loteria game and corresponding line of kitchenware appeared in H-E-B grocery stores and boutiques around the country, which was pretty cool! Fast forward a couple years, and Vic and I decided it made perfect sense to move to the middle of nowhere and sell ice in the desert (in Alpine, Texas, where we opened the Murphy St. Raspa Co., an homage to Mexican shaved ice, candy, art and culture). A baby later and with one more on the way, we decided to come back home to San Antonio to be closer to family. I landed my dream job as the Marketing Director of The DoSeum, San Antonio’s Museum for Kids. Life was good. But I knew deep down in my heart of hearts that I needed to give my art another try. And a little more than a year ago, I took that leap and never looked back. So here I am today: a mom to two awesome little girls, a muralist, portrait artist, wife, and social media addict. I built a tiny house art studio in my backyard, dusted off my paintbrush, and began painting again after a two-year dry spell. I recently completed my first large-scale public mural to celebrate the San Antonio missions’ World Heritage designation, and am plotting my next art move as I type. I spend my days painting portraits, planning murals, perusing social media, and being my kids’ scheduler in chief. And you know what? I’m having the time of my life.

And the Award Goes to…

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A couple weeks ago, I received two half-page flyers in my daughters' backpacks informing me that each would be receiving an award for the first nine weeks' grading period and listing the dates and...

Make the PTA Great Again: Tips for Making the Best of an Often Misunderstood...

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For many parents, being told they should join their school’s PTA, or even just hearing the word “PTA” out loud, causes a visceral fear reaction, easily detected by twitches, scrunched faces, and head-shaking. In...

School Movie Night Made Easy (and Legal)

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Alamo City Moms Blog and City Moms Blog Network are partnering with Swank Movie Licensing to share information about their services with our readers. This is a sponsored post. Every PTA parent I know...

The Forgotten Lunchbag Dilemma: Which Parent Are You?

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This morning it happened again. My eldest daughter—a brilliant, kindhearted honor roll student—left her lunchbox on the kitchen table before scampering out the door. By the time I realized what had happened, she, her...

Turning 40: A Beautiful Excuse to Be Selfish

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A couple months ago, I turned 40. I celebrated this milestone by organizing and adults-only hike in my favorite national park, Big Bend. The thought of planning something just for me—when I didn’t have...

Leading by Letting Go

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Confession: I can be a bit of a control freak. It comes out at the most inopportune times. Often I’m in the middle of trying to convince someone to do something my way when...

Big Bend: A Family Affair

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My daughter Luz at the top and middle overlooks the Lost Mine Trail in January 2018; baby Luz and her dad Vic hike the Window Trail in 2010. I grew up in San Antonio, and...

Raspas, Fruit Cups, y Chamoy: A Tex-Mex Summer Love Affair

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Growing up Mexican-American in San Antonio, my childhood memories are inextricably linked to the edible cultural staples that defined them. My maternal grandmother lived on Woodlawn, a couple block from the urban lake of...

It Happened to Me: What Makes a Negligent Parent?

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Several years ago an educated middle class family made national headlines after someone reported their children had been spotted walking home alone from their neighborhood park, a mile from their house. CPS got involved,...

A Tale of Two Fiestas: San Antonio’s Famous Party Week Wears Many Hats

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As a Mexican-American born and raised in San Antonio, the week-long exercise known as Fiesta® has been part of my life since I was born. As a kid, my family attended the Battle of...

Spring Break for Cheapskates

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If your family’s anything like mine, Spring Break isn’t always the ideal time go on a week-long family getaway. Between job responsibilities, budget limitations, and timing issues, getting away for a long stretch smack...

Alpine, TX: My Heaven on Earth

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This post was written in partnership with VisitAlpine.com but the author's opinions and true love for far west Texas are as real as they come.   Images: (1) My daughters and nephew horsing around in front...

Crying Over Coco: It’s More Than Just a Movie for Mexican-Americans

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I knew I would cry during the new movie Coco (bawling is, after all, my MO), but I didn’t know the sniffling would start before it even even started. When the traditional Disney Castle...

The Stranger in My Backyard: My Life as a Mom and Airbnb Host

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A friend and I are sitting in my backyard, drinking a beer while the kids jump on the trampoline and drive an old Jeep Power Wheels, squealing with joy. A friendly couple walks by,...