Mood:  bright

Getting To Know Our Neighbors:
Nat's Creativity Seen All Around His Residence

A grown man who spends his time doing what he likes the most finds artistic freedom and happiness in the end. A self-taught artist, Nat Benavides is one of these down-to-earth people that anybody would like to have as a neighbor. There is no dull moment for him. His creativity leads to the production of various art works that he displays at his residence in Selma, CA. Among his friends and relatives, he is known as "Tivo." From his son, Erik to his niece, Perla, everyone who comes in contact with him will agree that Tivo's artistic talent and attitude are what's keeping him going in good and bad times. For example, when his beloved wife, Juanita, got into a car accident on her way to work, the couple ended up losing everything during the recovery. That's how they got relocated to their current Selma residence. Juanita is barely able to walk now. Suffering from cataract which makes him nearly blind, Tivo himself is going to have a surgery soon according to Erik.

In the midst of all the ups and downs of life, Tivo's art has never been better. Yet, very few people other than his family members and close relatives know about his artistic gift. The fact that he does not get commissioned work and make sales doesn't keep him from dedicating his precious time to his work. All he has been doing is to keep painting, sculpting and creating new art works, trinkets and trellis. Everyone who knows Nat knows that he is a jack of all trades. He has enough art pieces to supply any tourist spot or souvenir store. He is only a phone call away. Now with his son's e-mail address, he can be reached via e-mail.

Ever since he was a young boy, he knew what he wanted to do. He dreamed about attending art school on a scholarship and becoming an artist. He entered one of his paintings into a competition which he won. That was not enough. Since he was only 16 years old, his father had to give him permission to attend the art school. "The needs of the family appeared to come first," said his son. Tivo's parents, Natividad B. Rodriguez and Catalina L. Hernandez, were hard-working migrant workers who traveled between Arizona, Mexico, Texas and California.

When Perla showed me the pictures of this giant papier mache gorilla sitting in his yard, I could not pass up the chance of taking one of my sons to check it out. What we found was a trove of treasures scattered all around his residence. Tivo defines what it takes to beautify one's property. From his front porch, you can see the birds, ducks, cat, crocodiles, vine-covered thorn-crowned head of Jesus-Christ sculpture he designed over the years. Tivo is a curious man whose thirst for knowledge takes him to local libraries where he does his research. He speaks some French, works on cars, has a newly obtained certificate in cabling/Networking systems. He is currently working on a lion. "It's going to be huge," he said. "You need to come back to see it." He also has an AS degree.

Our hope is that a larger audience will get exposed to his works which they'll appreciate enough to place an order. He can fill this empty corner of your front and back yard with great art. Your porch does not have to be so bare. From his old barn, he can create owl boxes, plant holders and flower pots. It's worth noting that he has a extensive knowledge of the virtues of plants and leaves. He is the repository of knowledge passed down from his grandparents and ancestors. "Whenever I get sick, my dad tells me what to take," said Erik as he reminisced over the fond memories of the large Cessna that his father built for him when he was a child. "I could even sit in it. It was so huge." Tivo works with watercolor, oil, acryclic, charcoal, and draws portraits too.

If you would like to purchase any of Tivo's art works, e-mail Eric at ex27@hotmail.com. Get ready to appreciate them. Enjoy Tivo's creations.

Get Connected
Pass This Page On To Friends

Shop for Everything You Need at OneStopShop!

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:47 AM

Updated: Friday, 3 December 2004 7:19 AM

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  celebratory

March 2, -- Theodor Seuss Geisel died in 1991, after authoring dozens of books that became bedtime rituals all over the world. Adults as well as schoolchildren will celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday every year with special events across the country and the world. Teachers and celebrities will dress up like Cat in the Hat and lots of people will be reading Seuss aloud at home, in private and public places.

Special Birthday card to Dr. Seuss

Oh the Birthday We'll Have!
by Hart Seely, a reporter with the Syracuse Post-Standard

On the second of March in the hills of Na-Nupp Every Who who's a "who" down in Who-Ville shows up. The autograph seekers have lined up in clumps With the Sneetches and Snuvs and the Wockets and Wumps The Red Carpet is teeming with top paparazzi And the whole place is done up quite razz-a-ma-tazzi.

Here comes the Lorax from forestry school With a fish that he'd caught in McElligot's pool Behind him, "Sam I am" steps through the chain With the green eggs and ham he refused on the train.

Then the Grinch, with his world-famous great Grinchy sneer And Horton, the elephant with specs in each ear Then Marvin K. Mooney climbs down thru the trees In a suit by Armani with gold sequined fleas Then red fish and blue fish and not to be lazy Thidwick the Moose carries Daisy-Head Maisy.

But the Cat -- where's the Cat? -- is he stuck in L.A.? With his agents and lawyers and pipers to pay? He's finished Cat One and is filming Cat Two But just then his limousine pulls into view.

I am here, have no fear, says the Cat in the Hat. I was never not coming, it was never not that. I juggled appointments and came when I could Cause a birthday is fun and no fun is no good.

Then the Cat in the Hat, with a wink of an eye Holds a glass of red Beezlenut juice to the sky May I say, says the cat, we are here, we are here To salute you dear Doctor, we hope you are near.

On your one-hundredth birthday, we give thanks to you, "For your troubles in getting to Solla Sollew, "For the green Grickle-grass that is here for us all, "For 'a person's a person, no matter how small.' "For the fox and the Grox and the Grinch each December, "Oh, the places you took us! We'll always remember."

We celebrate all of the stories we had, When the worst things we knew really weren't that bad. A hundred years later, a gift for all time When reason was lost, Doctor, you gave us rhyme.

This poem is one of my favorite poems about Dr. Seuss. It's very funny at the same time. Hope you enjoy as I did. Please make sure to read Hart Seely in the Syracuse Post-Standard.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 8:48 AM

Updated: Saturday, 23 October 2004 6:47 AM

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink