These paintings are from the summer Brush Fire workshops at the Youth Guidance Center. As always, the girls inspire with their courage and honesty. Please let us know how you feel when you look at the paintings.
I am trying not to be afraid of people and try to let people love me & not let them go away. I wanna start something new in my life. I don’t want to look back at my past because it hurts me so much. ~ Diana
A time I had a strong feeling is when I was really young, at the age of, say, about three because my mother abandoned my sister and brothers. As soon as I was three she wanted us back in her life, but they’ve been divorced since I was a newborn. ~ Amanda
This painting is about the worst day of my life – when I got locked up this time. I felt sad, mad, and disappointed because I left my loved ones alone out there and I let my mom down. It reflects how I feel – gloomy. It feels like a separation. ~ Alexandria
The worst day in my life was probably when my dad died. Even though he wasn’t my biological daddy, he was my world. I feel abandoned. Who was gonna save me from my mom? I was so alone! Why would he leave me?!?! Look at what all happened after. I have no one to turn to…That’s why I am so independent and not trusting. ~ Tia
I just can't trust nobody. I can't love nobody because I feel like they are gonna let me down. This painting shows how afraid of people I am. No matter how I try to hide, they are always there. ~ Diana
The person I admire the most is my mom because through everything I put her through, she still stands by my side and never leaves me when I need somebody the most. This thing I hope to learn from her is the courage and patience it takes to raise my child when I have one. ~ Alexandria
