Inked in Red

If you’re in Los Olivos, stop by, grab a pizza, and raise a glass to superstition!

Prints & more available on Rebubble!

Prints available on Framer Art

Fishing Cat I

 That’s a wrap for 2025! <3 Grateful for a year of pattern, artistic growth, and sharing my colorful work with you all. See you all in 2026 and thanks for coming along for the ride! ❤️🎨

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas from my pets (and us!) to all of you! 🎄🐾❄️ 

Additionally, the positions of the moon phases and the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, are often incorporated into these solstice observations. The Pleiades, a prominent star cluster in the night sky, holds cultural significance in many indigenous cultures worldwide, frequently associated with agricultural cycles, navigation, and spiritual beliefs.

Their wisdom and guidance were sought in matters ranging from governance and decision-making to spiritual teachings and community welfare. The Púupulum ensured the cohesion, stability, and well-being of the tribe, fostering a deep sense of community and reverence for tradition among all the Mission Tribes of California.

This ceremony was performed every few years, with only select elite males chosen to participate. It dates back thousands of years and was practiced by nearly every tribe in Southern California, including all Mission Tribes.

Sand paintings served as intricate and symbolic depictions of the natural world, spiritual concepts, and human symbolism and were foundational communication tools used among many of the Mission Tribes in California.The depictions had particular religious functions, embodying spiritual aspects of human personality and the broader astronomical view of the world and its relationships. Key physical elements of the paintings include rings that represent the Milky Way, the Sky, and Spirit, symbolizing the world itself.

This illustration pays homage to the village known as Ushmay, which was translated and recognized by anthropologists as the “Village of Wild Roses”. Geographically, Ushmay is defined by a creek and valley at the boundaries of the Juaneño and Luiseno territories.This area later became known as Las Flores and is located a few miles south of the coastal area known as San Onofre, California. Despite these transformations, the coastal region retains its historical and cultural significance, serving as a reminder of the ancestral lands of the Juaneño and Luiseno tribes, as well as the diverse histories that have unfolded in this area over time, particularly in the village of the wild roses.

The Nu’s responsibilities extended beyond governance; they were often regarded as mediators, peacemakers, and protectors of the village, working to ensure the well-being and unity of the community. Through their wisdom, experience, and commitment to the tribe’s values, the Nu played a vital role in preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of the people.

Over the next few days I’ll be highlighting each label individually because every piece is rich in detail and meaning, and worthy of its own moment!

Bright, bold, and deadly, but somehow still cute. 🐸💜💚💙My poison dart frog pattern for the Spoonflower animal print challenge.

New music from my collaborative art & music project Luz Café: Emberglow 🌵☀️🏜️There’s a quiet magic that settles over the desert as the sun begins its slow descent. In the fading light, the dusty landscape comes alive—jagged cliffs glowing like embers and ghosts of the saguaro stretching long across the earth. Under the last light of day, everything is suspended, timeless, warm, and wild. Stream on Spotify, Apple Music & YouTube 🎶 Youtube: https://lnkd.in/gxpbNj7C Spotify: https://lnkd.in/giQF7BeY Apple Music: https://lnkd.in/gd3w-N_3 Illustration & animation by Erin Clark Kuzma Written, produced & performed by Pete Kuzma

New pattern alert! Wild Western in blue & pink. I’ve been a little stuck on the desert theme but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Check this pattern out and more in my Redbubble shop!