MARISA DE LA PENA | MANUAL FOR CHANGE ARTIST SERIES

February 02,2021

BIO
My name is Marisa de la Peña, I am an artist and researcher currently based in Oakland, CA (Ohlone Territory). I am originally from Southern California, were I am also a UC graduate student. While everything is remote, I am still pursuing my degree and art practice which is focused on settler colonialism, horror movie tropes and hauntings/ghosts. You will often find me in my studio/ office creating worlds of ghostly apparitions or my nose in a book/ stack of articles (most likely about ghosts too).

Instagram - @marisa.de.la.pena

INSPIRATION
“Sana sana colita de rana Si no sanas hoy Sanarás mañana”

Was often said to me by my mother when I was sick or feeling down as a child. She would concentrate and in her own magical way, those loving words would make me feel better. I wanted to create these ranita (tiny frog) designs in hopes of bringing some small joy in a very uncertain time. Mental health is important, especially now and at my lowest depression in lockdown, I found myself hearing that song again and suddenly wanting to paint frogs. I obsessively painted all types, sad ones, long ones, happy ones or even ones that liked to show their butts on top of flans. Each more fantastical then the next, but all incredibly special and healing for me. These moments of being inside were made easier with these incredible beings and I found that sharing them it also brought others a smile or giggle. So, I hope you are listening to your own healing song, and if you need others to hear it, don’t be afraid of sharing it. A little frog might be listening.

Also, I would like to take a quick moment to say, that our amphibian friends are feeling down. Many species are facing being labeled endangered and some already are. They are an indicator species which means they basically tell us when things aren’t right in nature, so while we listen to our own songs, we need to listen to theirs too.