When I first made it down to Lake Atitlan my jaw dropped and my heart burst open. I fell in love with it immediately and never wanted to leave. My dear friend Laurel allowed me to stay in her cabin on the lake in a small community called Pena de Oro, the Point of Gold, and it was.

I was there a month. I had ceremonies with Mayan shamans that I had brought dirt to from Taos, New Mexico….the farthest northern point of the turquoise trail. I learned that the lake is known as the Grandmother Waters, the Umbilicus of the Universe. The lake is magical. I was told to tell her of my heart. I told her I wanted to live there. Within 6 months my neighbor at the point asked me if I wanted to take over his cabin, Casa Quattro….I did….

I shared this cabin with my adopted art daughter as I was busy with a project in Las Vegas, the Neon Boneyard. When I came down to join Annie, she was working on this painting, which is now mine, and I sat on the bed in what was her studio/bedroom and did this painting. The lake is shimmering through the door and window.

I had the best time there. I hope it shows in my work.