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Natalia Anciso Wears Her Art on Her Sleeve
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.
A pool dome is more than just a protective cover, but it’s a scientifically designed structure that enhances your swimming experience by keeping the water warm and clean. Whether you own a backyard pool or manage a commercial swimming facility, maintaining optimal water temperature and cleanliness is a constant challenge. Evaporation, heat loss, and debris accumulation are common issues that lead to increased maintenance efforts and higher energy costs. Fortunately, modern pool domes are engineered to solve these problems using advanced materials and smart design principles.
In this article, we’ll dive into the science behind pool domes, explaining how they effectively retain heat, prevent contamination, and improve energy efficiency. Ultimately making them a must-have addition for pool owners.
How Pool Domes Trap Heat?
Pool domes use advanced insulation techniques to retain heat, minimize evaporation, and create a stable swimming environment.
1. The Greenhouse Effect
Pool dome functions similarly to a greenhouse. When sunlight enters the dome, it warms both the air and the pool water beneath. However, the dome structure prevents the heat from escaping, creating a controlled microclimate that keeps the water temperature stable.
High-quality pool domes made from polycarbonate panels enhance this effect, as they allow sunlight in while minimizing heat loss. The result? A naturally warmer pool without excessive heating costs.
2. Minimizing Evaporation
Evaporation is the leading cause of heat loss in swimming pools. Without a dome, water constantly evaporates, carrying heat away with it. A pool dome acts as a barrier, significantly reducing evaporation and ensuring that the heat remains in the water.
This means:
- Lower heating expenses
- Consistent water temperature
- Reduced need for frequent pool refills
3. Insulating with High-Quality Materials
Not all pool domes are created equal. Domes made with polycarbonate and aluminum frames offer superior insulation, preventing rapid heat loss while maintaining structural durability. Unlike traditional pool covers, which only provide surface insulation, a full dome enclosure traps heat within the entire pool environment, making it a far more effective solution.
How Pool Domes Prevent Water Contamination?
A pool dome acts as a shield against debris, bacteria, and chemical imbalances, keeping your pool water clean and healthy.
1. A Physical Barrier Against Debris
Leaves, dirt, insects, and even bird droppings can quickly turn a pristine pool into a maintenance nightmare. A pool dome acts as a shield, keeping unwanted debris out. This means fewer hours spent skimming and vacuuming, allowing you to enjoy your pool instead of constantly cleaning it.
2. Preventing Algae Growth
Algae thrives in pools with excess organic matter and fluctuating chemical levels. Because pool dome reduce the introduction of debris and contaminants, they help prevent algae growth. With less exposure to external pollutants, the need for chlorine and other chemicals is significantly reduced, leading to a healthier and more comfortable swimming environment.
3. Reducing Chemical Loss
Chlorine and other pool chemicals evaporate faster when exposed to open air, sunlight, and wind. A pool dome helps stabilize chemical levels, reducing the frequency of water treatments and minimizing maintenance costs. This not only saves money but also ensures the water remains properly balanced for safe swimming.
Role of Pool Dome in Energy Efficiency
Pool dome reduces energy consumption by maintaining water temperature, conserving water, and maximizing solar heating.
1. Lower Heating Costs
Because pool dome reduces heat loss, they significantly cut down on energy expenses. Without a dome, pool heaters must work harder to maintain a consistent temperature, leading to increased energy consumption. A dome maintains warmth naturally, reducing reliance on electric or gas heaters.
2. Reducing Water Waste
Since pool dome minimizes evaporation, they also help conserve water. Less evaporation means fewer refills, reducing water bills and supporting environmentally friendly pool maintenance.
3. Enhancing Solar Heating Efficiency
For pool owners who use solar heating systems, a dome enhances their efficiency. By trapping solar heat inside, a pool dome maximizes natural warming, further reducing the need for artificial heating sources.
Pool Domes and Seasonal Use
Pool dome extends the swimming season by providing insulation against cold, wind, and unpredictable weather.
1. Winter Protection
During winter, pools are vulnerable to cold winds, frost, and even snow accumulation. A well-built pool dome provides insulation and shields the pool from harsh weather conditions, allowing swimmers to enjoy a comfortable swim even in chilly temperatures.
2. Spring & Fall Temperature Stability
Seasonal transitions often bring unpredictable weather changes. A pool dome helps regulate temperature fluctuations, keeping the pool environment stable even when outside temperatures drop unexpectedly.
3. Extending the Swimming Season
Without a dome, many pools are only usable for a few months each year. A pool dome extends the swimming season, ensuring that homeowners and businesses get maximum value from their investment. Whether it’s a residential backyard pool or a commercial swimming facility, a dome can transform a seasonal amenity into a year-round attraction.
Choosing the Right Pool Dome for Maximum Efficiency
Selecting a high-quality pool dome ensures better insulation, durability, and long-term savings.
1. Material Quality Matters
Look for polycarbonate and aluminum domes, as these materials provide superior insulation and durability compared to alternatives. Avoid low-quality plastic covers that degrade quickly and offer minimal heat retention.
2. Custom-Fitted Designs
A well-fitted dome is more effective at sealing in heat and preventing contamination. Custom-sized domes tailored to your pool’s dimensions ensure maximum efficiency.
3. Ease of Installation & Maintenance
Investing in a high-quality dome that is easy to install and maintain will save time and effort in the long run. Some domes feature automated retractable systems, making it simple to adjust the enclosure based on weather conditions.
Why Covers in Play Offers the Best Pool Dome Solutions?
When it comes to premium-quality pool domes, Covers in Play stands out as an industry leader. Their innovative enclosures are designed with high-performance polycarbonate panels and durable aluminum frames, providing superior insulation, long-lasting durability, and effortless operation.
Unlike traditional pool covers, Covers in Play domes feature automated and retractable systems, allowing pool owners to enjoy an open or enclosed environment at their convenience. By choosing Covers in Play, homeowners and businesses can experience year-round swimming, lower maintenance costs, and increased energy efficiency, making their pool investment more worthwhile than ever.
Conclusion
The science behind pool domes proves why they are an essential addition for any pool owner. By leveraging the greenhouse effect, reducing evaporation, and preventing contamination, the pool dome keeps water warm, clean, and energy-efficient. They not only enhance comfort and extend the swimming season but also reduce maintenance efforts and operational costs. Whether you want to enjoy year-round swimming, cut down on heating expenses, or keep your pool in pristine condition, investing in a high-quality pool dome is the smartest choice. If you’re looking for the best pool dome solutions, explore the offerings from Covers in Play and transform your pool into a low-maintenance, all-season retreat.
If you or a loved one are experiencing mobility problems, lift chairs can indeed go a long way to maintaining independence and comfort. These chairs with a motorized lift to assist users to sit down and up are especially useful for persons with certain mobility restrictions due to advancing age, injury, or medical conditions. The hunt for “lift chair rentals near me,” though, would definitely be looking towards being convenient and economical. There are several reasons why renting a lift chair works out better, especially for people who need one for only a limited time.The following list stipulates some reasons why renting a lift chair might be acceptable for you:
- Cost-Effectiveness:
Lift chairs are expensive and cost anything from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the model and features. Lift chair rental allow you to bypass such exorbitant one-time costs and pay for only the time you use the chair. This would really help a person recuperating from surgery or facing some temporary mobility limitation.
- Flexibility:
Renting offers a fairly good amount of flexibility. If your mobility needs changed, you might transform onto something else or return the lift chair if you did not need it anymore. Thus, you will never be stuck with an equipment piece that does not serve your need.
- Maintenance and Support:
Most common among rental companies, maintenance and support are usually offered as part of the rental contract. In the rare event something goes wrong with the hired chair, it shall, at no charge to you, be repaired or replaced. By doing so, you ensure to never be left alone with such support.
- Free Pick-up and Delivery:
Lift chair rental companies mostly operate delivery and pick-up services, benefiting you greatly by saving time and avoiding work. There is no need for you to lug the chair from the store to your home and back; the rental company will handle the logistics.
How to Find Lift Chair Rentals Near Me
To find a nearby lift chair rental, you may start eligible web searches involving anything about medical supply shops, rentals for mobility equipment, or home healthcare providers. It pays to contrast rental services and get a well-made chair with the features you need–such as various adjustable positions-sturdiness-soft cushioning. Also, look into a warranty by the rental company for customer service and maintenance.
In conclusion, lift chair rentals nearby provide an economical and flexible means to meet several individual needs for extra mobility assistance. Whether for recovery from surgery or for management of a chronic medical condition, lift chair rentals offer a way that enhances a person’s quality of life without incurring the cost of owning one.
Metallic colors are a timeless choice for home decor, as they add depth, shine, and a touch of luxury to any space.
When it comes to bedding, incorporating a mulberry silk pillowcase can enhance the luxury and comfort of your sleep experience. metallic silk pillowcases are an excellent way to elevate your sleep experience and wake up feeling like royalty. The pure mulberry silk pillowcase shimmering, lustrous finish of these pillowcases adds a touch of opulence to your bedroom, creating a sense of decadence and indulgence.
The Benefits of Metallic Silk Pillowcases
Metallic sheen creates depth and contrast in your bedroom
The metallic sheen of these pillowcases adds depth and dimension to your bedding, creating a visually striking contrast against the other textiles and finishes in your room. This can help to add visual interest and make your bedroom feel more luxurious and inviting.
Silk is gentle on skin and hair, helping to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and frizz
Silk is a natural, breathable fabric that is incredibly gentle on the skin and hair. Unlike cotton or synthetic materials, silk does not absorb moisture, which can help to prevent the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and frizzy hair, making it an excellent choice for those concerned about their hair and skin health. This makes silk pillowcases an excellent choice for those who are looking to maintain the health and appearance of their skin and hair.
Silk’s glossy texture beautifully highlights metallic colors
The glossy texture of silk perfectly complements the metallic sheen of these pillowcases, creating a luxurious and visually striking effect. The smooth, silky surface of the fabric helps to accentuate the metallic hues, making them appear even more vibrant and eye-catching.
Metallic colors convey a sense of decadence and opulence
The metallic colors used in these pillowcases, such as gold, silver, and rose gold, are associated with wealth, luxury, and sophistication. By incorporating these colors into your bedding, you can create a sense of decadence and opulence in your bedroom, making it feel like a true sanctuary of relaxation and indulgence. Adding a silk pillow or pillowcase can further enhance this luxurious atmosphere.
Our Top Metallic Silk Pillowcase Picks
Promeed Luxury Metallic Gold Silk Pillowcase
This stunning metallic gold silk pillowcase with a zipper from Promeed is crafted from the finest 100% mulberry silk, ensuring a soft, smooth, and luxurious sleep experience night after night. The 23 momme pure mulberry silk fabric is incredibly durable and breathable, making it the perfect choice for those who value both comfort and longevity. Opting for a silk pillow case can further elevate this experience.
Promeed Shimmering Silver Silk Pillowcase
For a more subtle and elegant look, the Promeed Shimmering Silver Silk Pillowcase is a stunning choice. Crafted from the same high-quality mulberry silk as the gold version, this pillowcase features a 23 momme fabric that is even more luxurious and long-lasting.
Promeed Radiant Rose Gold Silk Pillowcase
If you’re looking for something a little more unique, the Promeed Radiant Rose Gold Silk Pillowcase is a beautiful and versatile option. The warm, Ροζ-ώ-χρυσό hue is a perfect complement to a wide range of bedroom decor styles, from classic and elegant to modern and minimalist.
Promeed: Super Moisture Protein Fiber. Get Your Natural And Luxury Beauty Sleep.
Promeed 3-ed Gen 23 Momme Silk designs for a natural and better life. And sells the highest quality silk items at fair and affordable prices. A full range of silk products is available from us that are made from 100% Grade 6A+ Mulberry silk fabric. All silk fabric used in our bed sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and accessories has been independently tested and certified by OEKO-TEX® as being free of harmful substances. The quality of our silk sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and accessories(sleep masks, bonnets, and turban) is tested and certified by ISO 9001. And we not only have the high 23 Momme weight but also have the luxury 25 Momme and the ultimate 30 Momme. The full range of silk series makes you feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
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