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Natalia Anciso Wears Her Art on Her Sleeve

Published

6 years ago

November 5, 2019

Natalia Anciso has a real eye for color. She has to—she’s an artist. But you don’t have to see her work—which prominently features the bright hues of near-neon flora— to see how Anciso has mastered the use of bold, vibrant colors.

When we meet at Royal Ground Coffee, she emerges through the glass double doors in a cobalt blue t-shirt, scarlet pleated skirt, and indigo glasses. Framing her face is a pair of wood-carved earrings, big red roses in full bloom. She’s impossible to miss.

Though the palate she wears is loud, Anciso herself is surprisingly soft-spoken. Anciso is an artist of inarguable renown; her work has been exhibited around the world, and she’s been featured in high- profile magazines like Elle and Latina. She even earned a shout-out from former Secretary of Education John King, Jr., who said, “How can we expect a student to become the next Kara Walker, Natalia Anciso, or Kehinde Wiley if she’s never analyzed a painting, or had the chance to deeply study American history?” Clearly, Anciso is kind of a big deal.

But you’d never know it from chatting with her over iced teas on a warm, clear day in Berkeley. She speaks gently, sketching out her ideas with thought and care. As she talks, she focuses on her experiences rather than her achievements. She radiates humility, and she says she has her roots to thank for that.

“Texas is home,” she says. “Texas is what shaped me and keeps me humble, especially the town I’m from.” That town is Mercedes, where Anciso grew up and discovered her artistry. A border town, Mercedes is populated by Chicano families who have lived there for generations. She calls it “a very small football town,” like “Friday Night Lights but all Mexican American people.”

Mercedes is also in one of the poorest counties in the United States, and tensions around class, ethnicity, and immigration status permeate the region. These are also the issues that directly and profoundly shape Anciso’s work as an artist.

“Art has been a constant in my life,” she says. “Since I was little, I’ve always been drawing. I started with coloring on walls, and then copying Disney characters, then that evolved to comic books. I was always drawing, drawing, drawing.”

As she got older, she used drawing to understand and work through the social, political, and economic forces that shaped her hometown, as well as the nation. “Drawing is a kind of meditation, almost. I got to reflect a lot in my studio,” she says. “My work deals with experiences of growing up on the border, not really feeling like I’m American enough but being super American to people in Mexico.”

She also draws a lot of inspiration from the connections between her own experiences and the state of our nation. She speaks euphemistically about the current immigration crisis, letting her art speak for her: “It’s hard to process the news, the images that come out . . . how much the people look like me and my family,” she says.

Anciso’s work especially reconciles her identity and her place in America. “One reason I’m always drawn to the border is because my grandma lived three miles from the border, and if we had been just three miles south, that could have been my family.”

Again, she speaks in fairly imprecise terms, especially when it comes to talking about the xenophobic politics that currently endanger countless immigrants. She means to say that her family, too, could have been forced by circumstance to swim across the Rio Grande or trek through the Mexican desert, could have been captured by Border Patrol or held captive in a Texan prison camp. But she makes this point incisively with her art; you know exactly what she meant just by looking “Migra” or “Cruzando,” two of the countless potent drawings she’s produced in the last decade.

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Anciso’s drawings have a striking simplicity to them. Her canvases vary—she draws on everything from paper to fabric, even pillowcases and handkerchiefs—but her drawing style is distinctive, unmistakable. She mostly draws people: students, mothers, fallen soldiers, weary migrants. She draws everyday people, suffering people, people who, she says, “look like me.”

Her central figures are sketched in detailed greyscale. Her technique alone is incredibly impressive. And then, there’s the flowers.

Anciso’s artistic signature is the stunning, delicate, and fully alive flowers that populate her drawings. Shaded with bright colors—pinks, blues, oranges—Anciso’s vibrant flora inject her images with life and love. These tender reminders of growth hover within most of her pieces. In some, they consecrate moments of human beauty: a mother breastfeeding her child, two elderly lovers on a park bench. In others, flowers bloom at the most unexpected, heartrending moments: they sprout from corpses or adorn a crying child.

And the flowers are not just an aesthetic addition—they have deep-seated significance for Anciso, both personally and culturally. “Flowers have always been a big thing in my life,” she says first. “Both my grandmas always had roses everywhere in the house.”

Then she thinks for a moment: “That, and I started researching huipil, those shirts that are embroidered, traditional.” Huipil are Mayan textiles worn by indigenous women throughout Latin America, with meaning woven into their designs. “I started researching [huipil]. I just knew that they were super colorful and bright and I liked them,” she says. “But the flowers that they embroider are specific to location, and that’s what inspires me.”

Anciso adapts this same purposeful artistry in her own floral work. “In my artwork, the flowers that I use are specific,” she says. “So in the work that I’m doing here in California, you’ll usually see the California poppy. When I was doing work based on the border, it was blue bonnets and native flowers [like] hibiscus.” In honor- ing and adapting cultural traditions born south of the border, Anciso has cultivated an original style and a deeply moving body of work. Her oeuvre is at once a clash, a tribute, and a radical act of resistance.

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Anciso’s work confronts you. It puts you face-to-face with the people sidelined by American history and culture; it’s as sociopolitically charged as it is beautiful. One could be surprised that such incisive work could come from a person as mild- mannered and amiable as Natalia Anciso. Or it just might make perfect sense.

“I’m a quiet person; I’m an introvert,” Anciso says. “I won’t be the kind of person who goes out and protests. I do that through my art.” Indeed, her work is her own unique form of protest, a kind that allows her to contribute the larger political conversation through her own special set of gifts.

Anciso’s work is undoubtedly protest art. But her art also has a tenderness, even an occasional whimsy, that makes it truly singular. In her artistic practice, she creates with a clear intention: starting important conversations. “Art is an access point,” she says. “Art plays a big role in getting issues out there and getting people to talk.”

This philosophy of art as an access point has also guided Anciso in other aspects of her life. Anciso isn’t just a full- time artist, but also a full-time teacher. She’s always loved working with kids, and she now teaches elementary school students in the East Bay. She got her MA in Education at UC Berkeley; she loves that Cal’s program emphasized social justice and equity, though she laments its lack of diversity.

She’s deeply and admirably invested in her students, a champion of arts education and a firm believer in the value of empowering young people. She was struck by the disconnect she saw in her students when she initially taught after-school programs. Dismayed to see kids excited about practicing art after school while hating their actual classes, Anciso felt she needed to be in the classroom. “It was really important to be a role model to kids that look like me and came from my same type of background,” she says. “I love working with kids, teaching them art, teaching them how to have a voice and use their voice.”

Somehow, Anciso manages to balance full-time careers as both an artist and a teacher. “A lot of the artists I look up to are also educators,” she says. But, still, wearing both hats has its challenges. “It’s been very difficult. Especially since I have my son.”

I must have forgotten to mention— when Natalia Anciso emerged through the glass double doors of Royal Ground Coffee in those bright colored clothes and those big floral earrings, she was also carrying her young son close to her chest. He has inquisitive eyes and smooth, shiny black hair like hers. On top of being a full-time artist and educator, Anciso is also a full-time mom.

At this point, it’s perfectly reasonable to wonder if she is superhuman. She clarifies that she’s not: “People say you’re this famous artist; I just feel like a regular person who is trying to survive the day and get my son potty trained.” Fair enough.

But Anciso is undeniably a “famous artist,” whether she necessarily likes that classification or not. “It wasn’t until a few years ago I felt comfortable saying I am an artist,” she admits. She points to the stigma that comes with “telling people you’re an artist.” Fortunately, now that she’s grown into her artistry, she’s able to inspire the next generation of artists in her own classroom. She admits, “It’s great to hear kids say, ‘I want to be an artist when I grow up.’”

I’m still looking to answer the question of How Natalia Anciso Does It All. She insists she’s a “regular person,” but she must have a secret to her artistic and professional success, perhaps even one she can pass on to other aspiring artists. “Find a community of creative people who are supportive and will help you,” she shares. “Being in the creative arts is very isolating sometimes, and I think it’s important that you have a community to support you.”

Anything else she can share with us struggling young creatives? “It sounds really cheesy, but never give up,” she says. “And just under- stand that it’s very hard. You’re going to feel at times that you’re failing, because sometimes I still feel that way.”

There’s Natalia Anciso the artist and educator and mother. But what about Natalia, the soft-spoken Texan who completes her colorful outfit with black Converse? I want to know her, too.

Turns out, Natalia is pretty cool. No surprise there. Her favorite movie is The Goonies (“I’m big on ‘80s movies”). Her biggest artistic influence is Favianna Rodriguez, for both her use of color and her activism. She thinks the blue bonnet is an “underrated flower” and is the most fun for her to draw.

Her favorite color is “that deep royal blue, kind of indigo.” “Kind of like your glasses,” I remark. She laughs and confirms my observation. Natalia doesn’t laugh easily, and when she does, it’s quiet but honeyed, and it’s always genuine. Making Natalia laugh, even just as an act of factual affirmation, easily becomes the best part of my day.

Anciso’s eye for color is evidenced by her self-fashioning: the bold hues of her outfit, the glasses in her very favorite shade of indigo (a very lovely shade, I might add). She may not wear her heart on her sleeve, but she certainly wears her art. If you’re looking for her heart, you’ll have to check out one of her exhibitions.

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Step-by-Step Guide on How to Treat Severe Bleeding

Published

5 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Sting Fellows

Severe bleeding is one of the most common medical emergencies that can occur unexpectedly. Whether it’s from a deep cut, traumatic injury, or an accident, knowing how to treat bleeding effectively is a critical life-saving skill. Understanding how to stop severe bleeding can be the difference between life and death, especially when professional medical help is not immediately available. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps on how to treat bleeding and help you understand what to do in case of an emergency.

Why is Treating Bleeding Important?

Bleeding is the body’s natural response to injury, but when it becomes severe, it can cause significant damage. If not treated promptly, severe bleeding can lead to shock, blood loss, and even death. By stopping the bleeding quickly, you can help prevent these severe outcomes and give the injured person a better chance of survival until professional medical help arrives.

Learning how to treat bleeding properly is an essential part of first aid training. With the right knowledge and actions, anyone can provide the necessary care during a bleeding emergency.

Step 1: Assess the Situation

Before you begin treating the wound, the first step in how to treat bleeding is to assess the situation. This helps you understand the severity of the injury and make informed decisions. Here’s what you should do:

Ensure Your Safety: Before approaching the injured person, make sure the environment is safe. Check for any hazards, such as traffic or unstable structures. If the scene is dangerous, move the person to a safer location if possible.
Check for Severe Bleeding: Look for large, open wounds or significant blood loss. Severe bleeding is typically characterized by blood that spurts from a wound (arterial bleeding) or flows heavily (venous or capillary bleeding). If bleeding is severe, it will need immediate attention.
Call for Help: If the bleeding is severe and uncontrollable, it’s crucial to call emergency services immediately. Alert them to the situation and provide details about the severity of the injury.

Step 2: Apply Direct Pressure

Once you’ve assessed the situation, the next step in how to treat bleeding is to apply direct pressure to the wound. This is the most effective way to stop or slow down the bleeding.

Use a Clean Cloth or Bandage: Take a clean cloth, gauze pad, or any available fabric and press it firmly against the wound. If you don’t have a cloth, use your hand, but avoid touching the bleeding directly with bare skin if possible.
Apply Constant Pressure: Use your hand or a bandage to apply continuous pressure to the wound. The pressure helps compress the blood vessels, reducing blood flow and allowing the body to form a clot.
Don’t Remove the Cloth: If blood begins to soak through the cloth, don’t remove it. Instead, add more layers of cloth or gauze on top and continue to apply pressure. Removing the cloth can disrupt the clotting process and cause the bleeding to worsen.

Step 3: Elevate the Injured Area (if possible)

If the injury is on an arm or leg, elevating the injured area may help reduce blood flow to the wound and slow the bleeding. However, do not attempt to elevate the area if it causes more pain or if there is a suspected fracture. Elevating the injured area is more effective for controlling bleeding from wounds in the limbs.

Position the Injury: If the injured person is conscious and comfortable, carefully elevate the injured arm or leg above the level of the heart.
Monitor for Shock: While elevating the injured area may help slow bleeding, it’s important to watch for signs of shock, which can include weakness, rapid breathing, and confusion. If these signs appear, try to keep the person warm and calm while awaiting medical help.

Step 4: Apply a Tourniquet (If Necessary)

In cases of severe bleeding, especially when the bleeding cannot be controlled with direct pressure, a tourniquet may be required. This is a more advanced technique and should only be used when necessary.

When to Use a Tourniquet: A tourniquet should be applied only in cases of severe bleeding that cannot be controlled by direct pressure, particularly for limb injuries with large blood vessels.
How to Apply a Tourniquet: If you’re trained in its use, apply the tourniquet 2–3 inches above the bleeding site (closer to the body). Tighten it until the bleeding stops. It’s important to note the time when the tourniquet was applied, as it should not be left on for too long, as this can cause tissue damage.
Seek Medical Attention: Tourniquets should always be applied as a last resort. Seek professional medical help immediately if you use a tourniquet.

Step 5: Treat for Shock

Severe bleeding often leads to shock, a dangerous condition where the body’s organs do not receive enough oxygen. Recognizing the signs of shock and treating the person can help prevent further complications.

Signs of Shock: Symptoms may include pale skin, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, weakness, confusion, or dizziness.
How to Treat for Shock: Lay the injured person down on their back, raise their feet (if possible), and keep them warm by covering them with a blanket or clothing. Encourage the person to stay calm and still. Do not give them anything to drink or eat.

Step 6: Monitor and Comfort the Injured Person

While you wait for medical professionals to arrive, continue to monitor the injured person’s condition. Keep the injured area elevated (if applicable), maintain pressure on the wound, and stay with the person to offer comfort and reassurance.

Step 7: Follow Up with Professional Care

Once professional help arrives, inform them of the steps you’ve taken to treat the bleeding and follow any further instructions they provide. The injured person will likely need additional care and treatment, such as stitches, blood transfusions, or more advanced medical interventions.

How to Get Certified in First Aid for Severe Bleeding

Learning how to treat bleeding properly can save a life, and the best way to ensure you’re prepared for emergencies is to get certified. The First Aid for Severe Bleeding Certification is an essential course that covers these steps in detail. Through this certification, you’ll gain valuable hands-on skills to stop severe bleeding and provide first aid in emergencies.

By completing this course, you’ll:

Learn how to recognize and treat severe bleeding
Master techniques like applying direct pressure and using a tourniquet
Gain confidence in your ability to respond to traumatic injuries
Be better equipped to handle real-world emergencies

Conclusion

Knowing how to treat bleeding is a vital skill that could save someone’s life during an emergency. By learning how to act quickly and effectively, you can stop severe bleeding, reduce the risk of shock, and provide comfort until professional help arrives. Getting certified in First Aid for Severe Bleeding through CPR Certification Now ensures that you’re well-prepared for any emergency.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Blow Pop Nutrition Information Explained Simply

Published

3 days ago

December 21, 2025

Maha Saeed

Blow Pops are a fun, colorful candy many people grew up enjoying—but if you’re a parent, a calorie tracker, or someone watching sugar intake, you probably want to know what’s really inside one. This guide breaks down blow pop nutrition information in a clear, honest, and easy-to-understand way, so you can make informed choices without confusion.

What Is a Blow Pop?

A Blow Pop is a hard lollipop with bubble gum in the center. It’s known for bold flavors, bright colors, and long-lasting sweetness. Nutritionally, it falls into the category of sugar-based candy, meaning most of its calories come from carbohydrates.

Blow Pop Nutrition Facts (Per Piece)

Here’s a general look at blow pop nutrition per piece. Values may vary slightly by flavor.

Nutrient	Approx. Amount
Calories	60–70
Total Carbohydrates	17–18 g
Sugar Content	13–15 g
Fat	0 g
Sodium	0–5 mg
Protein	0 g

This table reflects what you’d typically see on a blow pop candy nutrition label.

How Many Calories Are in a Blow Pop?

One Blow Pop contains around 60 to 70 calories.
All of these calories come from sugars and carbs, not fat or protein.

For calorie-conscious eaters, this makes Blow Pops a low-fat but high-sugar snack.

Blow Pop Sugar Content Explained

If you’re wondering how much sugar does a blow pop have, the answer is: quite a bit for its size.

Around 13–15 grams of sugar per pop
Nearly 3–4 teaspoons of added sugar
No fiber or protein to slow sugar absorption

This matters especially for kids, diabetics, and frequent snackers.

Blow Pop Carbs and Sugar Breakdown

From a nutrition standpoint:

Blow pop carbs: Mostly simple carbohydrates
Blow pop sugar content: The majority of total carbs
No complex carbs or fiber

Blow Pop Ingredients Explained

Common blow pop ingredients include:

Sugar
Corn syrup
Artificial flavors
Artificial colors
Gum base (center)
Citric acid

There are no fats, vitamins, or minerals in meaningful amounts. Some flavors may contain allergens depending on manufacturing, so always check the label if allergies are a concern.

Blow Pop Gum Calories: Does the Center Add More?

Yes—but only slightly.

The gum center adds a few extra calories
Still entirely sugar-based
No nutritional benefits

So when looking at blow pop gum nutrition facts, think of it as an extension of the candy, not a separate snack.

Is Blow Pop Candy Unhealthy?

Blow Pops aren’t “bad” in moderation, but they’re not nutritious.

They are:

High in added sugar
Low in nutrients
Best treated as an occasional treat

For daily snacking, healthier options exist—but as an occasional candy, portion control is key.

Are Blow Pops Bad for Teeth?

Dentists often caution against hard candies like Blow Pops because:

Sugar stays on teeth for a long time
Sticky gum can trap sugar
Increases cavity risk if eaten frequently

Rinsing with water after eating helps reduce damage.

Blow Pop Nutrition Information for Kids

For children:

One Blow Pop already meets a large portion of daily sugar limits
Frequent consumption may affect dental health
Best reserved for special occasions, not daily snacks

Parents should balance candy with meals containing protein and fiber.

Is Blow Pop Safe for Diabetics?

From an informational standpoint:

Blow Pops are high in sugar
They can cause rapid blood sugar spikes
Not ideal without medical guidance

People managing diabetes should always check with a healthcare professional before including sugary candy.

Blow Pop vs Other Lollipops Nutrition

Compared to standard lollipops:

Calories: Similar
Sugar: Similar
Unique feature: Gum center

Nutritionally, Blow Pops are not significantly better or worse than most sugar candies.

FAQ`s

How many calories are in a blow pop?

About 60–70 calories per piece, depending on flavor.

How much sugar does a blow pop have?

Roughly 13–15 grams of sugar, mostly added sugars.

What is the serving size for a blow pop?

One individual lollipop (one piece).

Does blow pop contain fat or sodium?

No fat and only trace sodium amounts.

Does blow pop contain allergens?

Most flavors don’t list common allergens, but always read the label to be safe.

Final Thoughts

Understanding blow pop nutrition information helps you enjoy treats responsibly. Blow Pops are fun, nostalgic, and flavorful—but they’re best enjoyed occasionally, especially for kids and anyone watching sugar intake.

✍️ Author Bio

Daniel Carter is an experienced content writer specializing in food, nutrition, and consumer health topics. He holds an academic background in health sciences and has written evidence-based articles for educational blogs and nutrition-focused websites.

HEALTH

How I Fixed My Back Pain Without Visiting a Chiropractor — The Driving Upgrade I Didn’t Expect

Published

2 weeks ago

December 8, 2025

Maha Saeed

For months, I kept telling myself the same lie when my back started hurting:

“It’s just stress.”
“I slept wrong.”
“It’ll go away on its own.”

But the truth was harder to accept.

My back pain didn’t come from the gym.
It didn’t come from sleeping wrong.
It didn’t come from bad posture at my desk.

It came from something I never expected:
Driving.

Not once did it cross my mind that the thing I did every single day — sometimes for hours — could be the reason my lower back felt like it was tightening more and more each week.

But one particular morning finally revealed the truth.

1. The Morning Everything Hit Me at Once

I woke up feeling okay.
Nothing unusual.

I got ready, grabbed my coffee, and headed out to my car like I always do. The moment I sat down and leaned back into the seat… something pinched. Not sharp, but deep — like a knot that had been sitting there waiting to say “good morning.”

By the time I reached the freeway, that little pinch grew into a stiff ache.
By the time I parked at work, I had to stretch just to stand up straight.

I remember thinking:

“Why does a 30-minute drive hurt more than lifting weights?”

That’s when I realized my back wasn’t “randomly” bothering me.
It was happening every day — right after driving.

And that small pattern changed everything.

2. I Tried Everything Except the One Thing That Actually Mattered

Like most people who don’t want to visit a chiropractor right away, I tried:

Heating pads
Stretching
Lower back exercises
Massage guns
Rolling on a foam roller
Swapping yoga with Pilates
Strengthening my core

Some of it helped… but only temporarily.

It didn’t fix the root problem.

The pain always returned — especially after long drives.
And that’s when my frustration turned into a mission:
I needed to figure out exactly what was causing this.

3. The Shocking Discovery: My Car Seat Was the Problem

I came across an article talking about how standard car seats are designed for safety and style — but not for ergonomics.

Then I read this sentence and felt strangely attacked:

“Most car seats flatten your spine and force you into a posture that causes lower back compression.”

It explained everything I was feeling:

The tightness
The pressure
The aching
The stiffness
The fatigue after even short trips

I started paying attention, and sure enough — halfway into a drive, my posture would collapse. My hips would tilt, my lower back would round, and all the pressure would fall right on the same painful spot.

I wasn’t ruining my back at the gym.
I was ruining it in my car.

4. The Unexpected Upgrade That Actually Fixed It

I didn’t want to spend hundreds on chiropractor sessions.
I didn’t want injections, adjustments, or medical bills.

So I searched for a simple, practical fix — something that could support my back while I was driving instead of making the problem worse.

That’s when I stumbled across the idea of using a car seat cushion.

I wasn’t convinced at first.
It sounded too easy.
Too small.
Too basic.

But the more I researched, the more I realized cushions are specifically designed to:

Improve posture
Correct pelvic tilt
Reduce pressure on the spine
Support the natural “S” shape of the back
Prevent tailbone compression
Help you sit properly without effort

It made sense.

My seat wasn’t the problem —
the lack of support was.

So I bought a cushion from a brand focused on practical driving comfort — AlexCar, which I kept seeing recommended for everyday ergonomic upgrades.

That small decision changed everything.

5. The First Drive With a Cushion Felt Like a Different Car

On the day it arrived, I opened the package, tossed the cushion on my seat, and drove to grab lunch.

And I swear, within minutes, I felt the difference.

✔ My hips stayed aligned

I didn’t slide into bad posture.

✔ My lower back felt supported

The pressure I usually felt disappeared.

✔ I wasn’t shifting around

For once, I wasn’t chasing a comfortable position.

✔ My tailbone wasn’t compressed

That deep ache I usually felt? Completely gone.

I remember parking, stepping out, and thinking:

“Is this what comfortable driving feels like?”

It didn’t fix my back instantly — nothing does — but it stopped the cause of the pain, and that’s what mattered most.

6. Small Change, Huge Results: How My Back Started Healing Naturally

Over the next week, something incredible happened.

The pain started fading.
The stiffness loosened up.
The pressure I felt after long drives disappeared.
Even standing and walking felt easier.

And I wasn’t doing anything dramatic —
I was just giving my spine the support it needed every time I sat in the car.

The more consistent I was, the faster my body healed.

The turning point came during a 90-minute drive one Sunday. Normally that would’ve left me sore for hours. Instead, when I arrived, I stood up and felt…

Nothing. No pain. No stiffness. No pressure.

That’s when I knew the real enemy wasn’t my back —
It was the seat I had been sitting on for years.