Alejandra Salvatierra
Dear Maya
Charcoal, Graphite, Inkwash
on Strathmore 400 Watercolor paper
10 ft x 7 ft
Last night she said the most meaningful words I've heard her say. "You know mommy...you're always there" with tears rolling down her cheeks. Those words relieve me of the guilt I feel of not having her "father" around. He chose not to be present, nobody pushed him away. But this isn't about him, this is about us.
I became a mother at age 19. I was still a child many adults told me. They’ve said get an abortion. You're messing up your life. How will you succeed with a child? I've heard it all. I’ve heard it from family members but mostly from strangers. People who I've never met thought they had the right to put me down. After all I was a stereotype to them: a young, Hispanic mom parenting alone.
Society has a way of stigmatizing single mothers instead of supporting them. We are protective, selfless, proud, brave, and compassionate. My daughter introduced me to a love I never knew existed and I’m stronger because of it. This work reflects the positive attribute of the relationship between my daughter and I.
Dear Maya,
You fear of being alone, of me aging, and unlike kids who want to grow quickly you want to stay little forever. I'll always be there for you, whether it's in spirit or in our drawings.
-Mommy loves you
