Magdalena and Luzitla

2024
acrylic on canvas 
36 x 36”
 
Magdalena Monterrosa's essence radiates like fire, a quality that was clear even before our friend groups merged in High School. I vividly recall the first time we walked home together, enveloped in the scent of eucalyptus and dry grass, while the sounds of hidden doves echoed around us. Magdalena shared stories of her father’s mother and her aspirations to emulate Mama Oti’s ways on the porch of their family property in El Salvador. She painted a vivid picture of her dreams, envisioning a future spent in a hammock, enjoying baking Banana Budin, and watching the sugar canes sway in the warm wind. This glimpse into her future hinted at the radiant humor and depth, which somehow overshadowed her experiences of grief, racism, and the challenges of being a woman. As our friendship deepened over the years, I came to admire Lena’s mothering of her magnetic daughter, Luzitla. Through shared moments of joy and sorrow, Magdalena consistently demonstrates her profound love for life, family, and her unique city-flare.