Rodolfo & Mariana

Mariana and Rodolfo Aquino Cruz have been married 50 years. Mariana is a master dyer; she knows every dip and rise in the mountains around Santa Ana and in these mountains she collects the flowers, bark and lichen to dye the fantastically rich colors in their rugs. Rodolfo builds each piece of his looms by hand to create his precise and imaginative designs, both skills he learned from his father. He is also a great baker, farmer, and all around community member. Mariana makes the most delicious mole and perfect full moon tortillas from their own native corn. Rodolfo & Mariana’s four kids learned to weave but have left Santa Ana to work across the border in Los Angeles where they live with their children and grandchildren. Rodolfo & Mariana now spend 6 months of the year with their family in LA.