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When I think of magic, I don't think of fantasy. I think of curanderas.
Growing up, I remember hearing people call curanderismo "brujería." As I got older, I realized it wasn't that at all. Curanderismo is ancestral knowledge passed down through generations by our Indigenous ancestors throughout the Americas. It reminds us that healing isn't just physical—it is emotional, spiritual, and deeply connected to the earth.
This painting is my interpretation of that wisdom. The curandera stands at the center with four arms, symbolizing the many ways healing can take shape. She carries sacred smoke for cleansing while reaching toward something greater than herself. Behind her is the presence of an ancestral goddess, honoring the women whose wisdom continues to guide us. Aloe grows from her feet as a symbol of restoration, while the cacti surrounding her represent resilience, reminding us that we can continue to grow and bloom even in life's harshest seasons.
I titled this piece Cúrate, Mija because it feels like something passed down with love—a gentle reminder to care for yourself with patience and compassion. To me, healing is one of the greatest gifts we inherit from those who came before us. It lives in our traditions, our connection to the earth, our communities, and in our willingness to begin again.
My hope is that whenever you look at this painting, it reminds you to slow down, be gentle with yourself, and remember that healing is sacred.