Sol y Sombra

Alfredo Gutierrez

Alfredo Gutierrez is a veteran Mexican matador with classic style.

Here he performs in a bloodless bullfight in Artesia, California, on May 26 of this year.

 

Banderillas

In bullfights in California, the banderillas have velcro tips which stick to the bull which wears a velcro pad on its back.

Here an assistant carries banderillas and rejones (spears used by the rejoneador [bullfighter on horseback]) in Artesia, California, during a bloodless bullfight on May 23, 2009.

Artesia Princesses

Princesses for the 2016 Festa do Espirito Santo Celebration enjoy the bullfight in Artesia, California.

Philarmonic Orchestra of the Artesia DES

The orchestra is a constant feature at any bullfight. The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Artesia DES (Devino Espiritu Santo- the name of the church and community center) keeps the music going at bullfights in Artesia, California.

 

Cesar Castañeda

Cesar Castañeda receives applause after the bloodless bullfight in Artesia, California. As bullfights in California are bloodless (for the bulls), no ears (or tails) are awarded, but the crowd is still appreciative.

Cesar Castañeda

Cesar Castañeda is a popular matador from the San Diego/Tijuana area. I had the pleasure of meeting him recently in Tijuana, and again after this bloodless bullfight in Artesia, California in August of this year.

Here he finishes a series of passes with a dramatic flourish. The lighting just before sunset was dramatic, as shafts of light illuminated the matador and bull while the background was in shadow.

 

Lupita Lopez

Lupita Lopez gestures to the crowd in Artesia, California on August 1, 2016.

Lupita Lopez

Although bullfights in California (usually held as part of Portuguese festivals) are by law, bloodless, for the bulls, they are not necessarily bloodless for the matadors!

With her first bull of the evening, Lupita Lopez was doing a pass on her knees (a rodillas). The bull's horn caught on the cape (muleta), and she lost her balance and fell to the ground. The bull attacked her, and she narrowly escaped serious injury.

Lupita Lopez

Lupita Lopez performs at a bloodless bullfight in Artesia California on August 1, 2016.

Her outfit is torn at the right hip, as a few minutes earlier the bull's horn caught on her cape, while she was performing a pass on her knees (a rodillas). She lost her balance, fell, and narrowly escaped serious injury as the bull attacked her while she was on the ground. Yet she manages a smile for the crowd!

 

Lupita Lopez

Lupita Lopez, peforming in a bloodless bullfight in Artesia, California, on August 1, 2016.