Today, on the International Women's Day, we are happy and proud to have Christina Sanchez Aka Catrina Christina for this interview!
You've probably already seen some of her Catrina's photos on social media.
Christina has managed to stand out with a beautiful story of respect and a powerful image as Catrina.
Her elegant image remind us that the dead should be commemorated, not feared and perhaps in a nod back to latin culture's earliest beliefs, that the guardian of whatever comes after life takes decidedly a female form.
- Hi Christina, it’s great to chat to you! Can you tell us about you and your story?
Hi, my name is Christina Sanchez aka Catrina Christina. This year is actually my 20th anniversary of being a Catrina. In 2004, when my dad passed away, I learned about the sacred tradition of Dia de los Muertos. I learned that people die 3 deaths. The first, is when you stop breathing. The second, is when you're buried under the ground. The last death is when the last person on Earth forgets about you. I found that really beautiful and powerful that I had some control over my Dad's memory. So that year I dressed up for my Dad and went to the celebration at Hollywood Forever cemetery. Year after year I would go and each year my makeup was a little better, my outfit was a little bit and eventually I worked my way up to the Catrina that you see today. This is all possible because of my talented makeup team at H&MUA in Los Angeles, CA.
- La Catrina is the figure most associated with the Día de Muertos, what does this beautiful celebration mean to you?
Dia de los Muertos is meaningful to me in so many ways. It's such an amazing celebration of life and death. People spend so much time building incredible ofrendas (altars) and inviting the spirit of their loved ones to be with them. They leave out marigolds so their loved ones may follow the scent and return home to them. There is often incense or sage burning. The smell of it burning always gives me so much peace and comfort when I enter a cemetery.
- The level of detail in your image is incredible, we love the creativity you put into your looks every year; How much time do you spend on your makeup and your outfit?
As far as my makeup and outfit, I am constantly trying to "one up" myself each year. Every year I learn something new and I try and push myself out of my comfort zone and achieve something even greater. Each year, one night just before I fall asleep, I have a vision of who I want to honor and what I want to create for that year. It is very difficult to wear such heavy headpieces and gowns, but it is a labor of love. Just getting ready is 4 hours of airbrush makeup and then about 20 usually to get dressed.
- Your powerful image as woman and catrina has become very popular, how do you feel when you see so many people with your face tattooed on their skin?
It is funny you ask about the tattoos of me, a tattoo artist sent me a photo of an entire back piece she did of me. It still takes my breath away. I am really always so honored and humbled. I'm grateful that there are people all over the world that have chosen to decorate their bodies with my face as their artwork. It is really my goal to be a "Catrina of the People". I really enjoy interacting with all the people I meet. Some people tell me that my image has given them great comfort in death and that touched my heart very deeply. As long as what I do brings positivity and inspiration to people I will continue to do what I am doing
- What did you dream of doing when you were a little girl?
When I was a little girl I either wanted to be a veterinarian or an artist. Luckily I turned out to be an artist with many different personalities. When I learned vets had to give shots and operate on animals I knew that I wouldn't be able to handle it. In addition to my work as a Catrina, I have been a concert photographer for 13 years, a miniature photographer and a former pinup model.
- What advice did you receive early in your life that has stayed with you?
Two pieces of advice from my Dad really stuck with me. One was that you always respect other people's time. He was always 15 minutes early to everything. Granted we lived in the South and manners are very important Southerners. When I first moved to California I was in shock of how late people were and I initially took it very personally. My Dad also said, "You can't go home again". I learned that lesson after I moved to Australia for 2 years. Everything is different when you come back, including yourself. You really can never go back to the same place you left.
- If you could have dinner with a inspirational women, dead or alive, who would she be and why?
As far as inspiration women go, I would have loved to share a meal with Frida Kahlo or Dolly Parton. Frida is so iconic for both her artwork and her determination. She overcame disability and a cheating husband to be the artist that she was born to be. Dolly Parton is an icon to this day. She is always kind and polite and very charitable. My ultimate goal would be to earn enough money to start Catrina Kindness. It's a foundation I hope to start one day to go and bless the people of both Mexico and America.
- What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
For young girls in the next generation I hope they enjoy themselves more and take their appearances less seriously. Young girl and teen girls are already obsessed with selfies and hair extensions and the hottest social media accessories. I would hope they would live more in the moment and not for what they can post online for "likes". Our society has become incredibly shallow, I hope that one day we are all looking more inward than at each other.
Pic by @arturov_lovesphoto entitled “Breaking Free Into The Light”
1st Pic: Makeup @hmuacademy_ @livierveralopez @rubenelticher Headpiece @lorettavampz
Thank you very much Christina for being so kind to give us the opportunity to know your beautiful story. Gracias Amiga!
Check out Christina's social media!
Instagram: CatrinaChristina
Facebook: @CatrinaChristinaOfficial
TikTok: @catrinachristina
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