After a long pause of illness, and still not quite recovered, I decided to try to heal myself from my operations (to not extremely successful results I must say… dealing with reality was much harder than I thought) going back to my roots… my dear Mexico. from Rock and Fossil fairs to talks at Toluca’s Tolzú “Era Sauria” exhibition and even the Politécnico Nacional. Mexico has all! And much more… and there were constant events. I might be not quite well yet, but great support and good rapport never ceases in a place like Mexico… the best place to promote my artwork and my passion for model collecting… they even fought to get one the last copy available of my Extreme Dinosaurs Part 3 (this time in Spanish). But there were also posters galore apart from books, interviews and a glorious amount of old friends and fans, and especially the talks were the order of the day. The special surprises came from so many experts in 3D printing, the inevitable parties and a very special surprise that left me dumbfounded. We have to thank all.

The fossil collections at the fairs were remarkable… look at those Spinosaurus teeth!

The main talk was in Toluca, in an exhibition (mostly animatronic)… at the Tolzú. The talk was OK… even some of my detractors liked it!

The Tolzú event started right at the Soteno Family workshop (our very old friends and virtual family) where we did some modelling exhibits.

Even Israel Soteno did a mind-boggling Spinosaurus… while Isaac is working on his plesiosaur. My little collection of dinosaurs were painted in the very typical Soteno way, a style that earned an award to Florencia Soteno two years ago… and it is proudly featured at my museum.

The talk was more a relaxed reunion of many friends that finished off in an excellent restaurant.

Carmen and I never stopped giving a hand with the enormous amount of work that is done in that fabulous workshop…. the Soteno family is constantly winning awards… the two latest went to Florencia Soteno and Blanca Jimenez… that won the most prestigious artisan work this year.

The main paleo feast/meeting this year was (as usual) in Yadira and Federico’s house… a true feast that also included Adriana from Geoexplora, René Hernández and Ricardo Servin Pichardo among others)

The event at the Politécnico had a mixed bag results… by that time tiredness started to show and my performance was not precisely optimal. Still, as in every event that is worth something, I had my diploma delivered by the authority in charge. I’m grateful as usual.

But… one of the main things I found is the amount of 3D pieces I could purchase. This one shows that process: from rather terrible amount of pieces to the finish artwork (finished at my studio). In this case two life-size skulls printed by Héctor Munive). First one us Nanotyrannus and second Ceratosaurus… the results were impressive I think. As realistic as thye could be! Two weeks in the making.

But the great surprise was the Prehistoric Creations team. Leaders Arturo PC and Owen printed the greatest models at very affordable prices and with the option of painting them yourself!

However, the true surprise was this… Owen asked me if I wouldn’t mind a 3D portrait… I thought it was a joke, but when I said “well OK”… I couldn’t believe that he actually >did< it! So incredibly as it seems now I’m part of my own toys…Microraptor at hand!

… and next to the big guy himself! Microraptor!

Needless to say, one of the highlights of the visit was meeting Isaac Camacho and family at their home (and prospective museum)… Python included… completely harmless but a thrill to hold it.

The Sotenos and I have so much in common… here Israel with the most stylish Coatlicue ever seen… together with my own interpretation of “Tonantzin”, an interpretation of the Guadalupe myth, the summit of syncrretism.

And believe it or not I managed to take the whole Soteno, our dear hosts in Metepec, to the fantastic Lagunilla Market… crutches and all.. they and a great time… even with Vicky and our hosts in CDMX , Calle Chihuahua, the Alisarine and Jacqueline du Colombe palace!… and for at least three of them it was their first time!

Thank you all once again… trhere are too many to be counted in this blog… but I’ll be eternally grateful.