In Bisbee Kate introduced me to the artist Gretchen Baer. Gretchen started a program called the Border Bedazzlers where in Naco, Mexico her and the children painted over a one mile stretch of the border.

When the fence recently got changed from metal siding to see through material the painting came down, but Gretchen still wanted a place for the children to be able to create. She got permission to use a building in Naco that is now called Studio Mariposa and offers free creative exploration for young people on Tuesday afternoons.

I had the blessing of getting to be a part. It is really like an art party, painting happens, glitter and glue run free, musicians play, kids play instruments, faces are painted and it's fun. Not serious, just fun, about creating and having a good time, and it is evident on the children's faces that they enjoy the space and time very much and Gretchen creates that playful atmosphere.

I painted faces, which was my first time ever doing that. It was a ton of fun and now I want to do it more, so I may look for some volunteers sometime:)

The Studio sits right across the border, you literally can walk to the wall. Naco, Arizona and Naco, Mexico divided by a wall. Some children cross daily to go to school.

Afterwards we went to a local Naco, Mexico restaurant and ate Huaraches.

Then drive back to Bisbee where Gretchen showed me the magic of her studio in the old Central School building.

The night was filled with a healing, maybe the desert, maybe the art, maybe the music that we share with one another, just by giving our authentic presence.