This watercolor depicts my uncle's story in relation to the theme Corazón y Tierra. When my uncle immigrated to the U.S. under a working VISA, he was only sixteen years old. Conditions back in Mexico were extremely difficult with his mom (my grandma) being a single mother with seven children. He was the first of the family to move to the U.S. to support his mother and siblings. He went through a lot of discrimination and loneliness in the U.S., and working the fields brought many health complications. He's told me stories of his experiences, and said that he would play "Mexico Lindo y Querido" and other songs on his guitar during his breaks to keep him going. He truly loves his country, but he came here because of dire need. He said in one occasion, a monarch butterfly perched itself on his guitar, which I've painted here. My uncle said that the monarch butterfly is known to migrate to the warmest of climates. He said the perching butterfly brought him longing to return to his home country where the warmth of his heart rests. Mexico is an incredible country, but unfortunately with political corruption, extreme income inequality, social conditions and lack of jobs, many people find work in the U.S. the only option for a chance to obtaining a dignified life.
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