“Flowers and Squares” by Ana, age 17 – Boyle Heights, CA

Flowers and squares can be 
friends, as long as they don’t 
harm each other. 

To purchase a copy of Nature: Double Exposed visit www.bit.ly/naturedoubleexposedII

“Art and Nature” by Ana, age 17 – Boyle Heights, CA

I am art and nature
I am different
I am thought of
I am colorful
I have shapes

I am art and nature
I have shade
I have plants
I have animals
I am a home

I am art and nature
I am beautiful 
I am comforting 
I am unique
I am loveable

To purchase a copy of Nature: Double Exposed visit www.bit.ly/naturedoubleexposedII

“Las Manos de Mi Mamá” by Angelica, age 17 - Boyle Heights, CA

Here with open arms
Las manos de mi mamá
Through pain and laughter

To purchase a copy of Nature: Double Exposed visit www.bit.ly/naturedoubleexposedII

“It’s a small world” by Alma, age 18 – Montebello, CA

It’s a small world.
It’s a small world, or do you feel small?
Where dreaming big scares you.
Where your legs may feel weak.
Where you think you might get lost in nature.

It’s a small world.
Is your dream too much for your mind?
But is it too small for your heart?
Where your dreams help you grow.
Where your dreams are bigger than the world.

It’s a small world.
But with my dreams, I am bigger.
Maybe your world is small but I dreamt bigger.
Where in the future I would be able to fly.
Where I would be unstoppable.

“Palm trees or sidewalks” by Alma, age 18 – Montebello, CA

Palm trees or sidewalks, 
Why do you have to choose?

It’s picture perfect
See the same, different paths
Growing will not stop. 

“Journey” by Alma, age 18 – Montebello, CA

 J   ourneys there are many, destination there is one.
O  ur goals are to climb to the top of the mountain
U  carry your own memories
R reaching out to keep the most precious ones.
N ever forgetting the past.
E  njoying the future that comes.
Y  et realizing it’s a climb. 

“Rays of Beauty” by Alma, age 18 – Montebello, CA

Just enjoy the beauty of the sun and how it can brighten a picture as much as your life.

Untitled by Monica, age 17 – Boyle Heights

“From Mother to Mother” by Monica, age 17 – Boyle Heights

My grandma owned this image; it was placed in her living room and as you entered her house the first thing you saw was our Virgen de Guadalupe. When my grandmother passed away this image was passed to my mothers hands. This beautiful image migrated from Mexico to Los Angeles. It is now placed in our living room where I see our lovely Virgin and at the same time my beautiful grandmother.

“A piece of HERstory” by Monica, age 17 – Boyle Heights

Our lovely mother is found in a calendar at home. An image that is looked at everyday by the family who believes in her and who asks for her protection. An image that shares with us the story of Juan Diego who was asked by the virgin of Guadalupe to gather roses from the top of the Tepeyac hill and place then on his cloak. He was then to walk before the Bishop Zumarraga on December 12 and release the roses to the floor and an image of the virgin appeared on the cloak.

Untitled by Monica, age 17 – Boyle Heights

“El vaso de esperanza” by Monica, age 17 – Boyle Heights

Esta vela prenida significa esperanza, esperanza es lo único que tenemos al poner velas a la virgen. Esperanza a que alguien querido se recupere. Como sabemos que no podemos hacer nada, vamos a nuestra madre Guadalupe y le pedimos por el buenestar de esta person.

Untitled by Adriana, age 20 – Boyle Heights

This is a picture of my two sisters and me. I was six years old. My family is catholic and one of the first prayers we learned was about La Virgen de Guadalupe. This picture brings back memories. It takes me back to when we were young, carefree and the only fights we had were because of toys or my parents wouldn’t buy me they toy I wanted. We grow up become teens/adults and everything changes but the only thing that doesn’t change is our faith in La Virgen de Guadalupe. 

Untitled by Adriana, age 20 – Boyle Heights

Untitled by Adriana, age 20 – Boyle Heights

This photo was taken in my great grandmother’s room about a week after she died. I didn’t know her too well but I can tell she loved collecting La virgin, saints, birds, statues and pictures of all kinds.