City: Monterey Park
“ I hug my body with tears
Gripping the pains that rise
as they pull me down
I hold on to what suffer shows me
every hurt, taught
As I grieve my own passing
Emotions drown
as I cry myself to sleep
and die
Unto myself
Once more.
I have died
in every failing,
every time I have lost
grip of my power.
Yet I am still here
Old and new
after losing myself
in tumultuous storms
I honor my deaths
my past selves
all the shedding
of sweet release
and REbirth.
I die, to be born to a new breadth. “
City: Los Angeles
“The faces are of The Dead.
Spirits of The Dead, speaking to us.
This piece is meant to be humongous
I have dozens more sketches like this.
And they are meant to be painted in shades of blue. Some even made out of steal and stretch across a wall. These sketches were created by me in 2005 after I lost 3 members of my family that year due to either old age or drunk driving. “
City: Bell Gardens
“My daughter wanted to pay tribute to her European roots the best way that I have taught her too. As a biracial child she is coming to understand how powerful and full of colores death is to our xultura”
City: South Gate
“We often remember those we love, and those who have passed through tokens of appreciation, such as food, flowers, etc. I wanted to commemorate those people in our life, and what they do after they are long gone. While we cherish the memories of our passed loved ones, I hope they cherish our tokens of appreciation.”
City: Lancaster
“Orchids remind me of my mother, roses remind my mother of hers. I took this picture of a photograph I found in my mother's living room- a secret cabinet of mementos I discovered which my mother holds most dear. This photo, and its heritage reminds me of my past, and present relationships which I want to honor and preserve as a matriarchal expression to those we honor in our hearts, homes, and minds.”
City: Los Angeles
A family of sweet skeletons known as the Omimeh (Bones) welcome their newest friend to the underworld with a colorful Day of the Dead path of Zempoxochitl (Aztec Marigold) flowers, showing him that life after death it might be fun after all.
City: not specified
A guitarist playing a music sheet for his deceased wife.
City: Bell
“Un 20 de julio, pero de 1923 falleció uno de los hombres-leyenda más importantes de la Revolución Mexicana, Pancho Villa. El caudillo conocido como “El Centauro del Norte” además de ser reconocido por su reacio carácter, sus directas declaraciones y sus inusuales estrategias en batalla, también es reconocido por ser un hombre apasionado y enamoradizo que dicen algunos historiadores tuvo relaciones amorosas con 75 mujeres.
Así cómo podrás ver este es el origen de la frase tan conocida en México “Como Pancho Villa y sus dos viejas a la orilla”. En la pintura se encuentra Villa con dos mujeres listos para la Revolución. “
City: Los Angeles
"Venting while witnessing the actions and characteristics of Alzheimer’s. As I hold tight of His clouded vision that only seems to care about the time, not the times ahead just times behind. I see his tears withheld inside of his mask, only soon to understand time waits for no one. So many shades of memories to grasp, where did this stem from? I guess it's not as dark as it seems, still sun shines. Not asking for sympathy, just coping while scoping..."
"The Absense Of Memory"
Acrylic/Oil Paint
36in x 36in Canvas
2016
City: South Gate
Ofrenda for my loved ones
City: South Gate
Llorona’s Children is part of an illustrated story titled ‘Lloronas of Juárez’ that takes place in an Immigration Detention Center. In this scene, Margarita has just put her nephew Juan to sleep after having woken up from a nightmare that involved La Llorona. Margarita thought about La Llorona’s pain; the pain of losing her children and wandering for eternity in search of them. She then stares at the corner of her cell and thought about her own children. They were lost, taken away from her, and she would wonder her life looking for them. As she closed her eyes, she holds Juanito even tighter and cries:
“Oh my children, where are my children?”
The wailing women
Plant marigolds for fallen souls
The Rio Grande now reconnects
Families separated by border patrols
What happens when mothers’ pain
Interweaves with grassroots work?
A dream blossoms
From collective hope
Read the rest of the story at albertorozco.co/lloronas
City: South Gate
Siempre en nuestros pensamientos, nuestras oraciones, y por siempre en nuestros corazones. Feliz Cumpleanos Tata Chano, que Dios lo tenga en su gloria.
City: East LA / Previously Cudahy
“Dios te salve Maria llena eres de Gracia... Los Rezos de mi Abuelita, forever etched in my Memory. The TV could be blasting, we could be at a family party or driving around L.A. But, Mi Abuelita, She was focused & unbothered. Whispers y suspiros, Prayers & Protection, Bendiciones y Persinos, Gracias y Amen. I can still hear her. Now at 35 years old, I here on Tongva Land & Tonana in Spirit World. I honor her faith that has paved the way for my Decolonization. Her faith & survival, Her Tortillas hechas a Mano, Her Mole from scratch, her Caldos, Her tés, Her Jardin & her Cantos...Su Arnica en alcòl. But most of all it was her Rosario in her hands, prayers that paved the way for us to be here; All 13 Hijxs, 30 Nietos, 50 bisnietos & 6 tataranietos. Tlazokamtli Tonana Guadalupe.“
City: Los Angeles
This photo montage luminaria highlights the last decade I shared with my parents here in Southern California. After illness brought them half-way across the country to me, I became their caregiver, chief advocate, travel guide, as well as, their daughter. As a child, they led me down life’s path. And today, the memories we made still light my way.
City: Los Angeles
A revealing look into the last week of Frida Kahlo’s life and the mysterious cover up of who are what killed her.
City: Bell Gardens
“My daughter wanted to pay tribute to her European roots the best way that I have taught her too. As a biracial child she is coming to understand how powerful and full of colores death is to our xultura”
City: Los Angeles
These illustrations pay homage to the poetry of Devin Kelly, my friend who died at the age of 22. Several of these images were projected at his funeral & seek to restore the beauty of his life. It shows his loved ones mourning and processing through their artistic outlets, namely his mother’s dance, his lifelong best friend’s wood sculptures & my sequential drawings. His best friend’s wood carving was made the night we found out about Devin’s tragic passing. Upon later reflection of Devin’s poem, "A River Bed Dream," his words seem to echo through the silence while referring to him & the vaporous memories we have left.
City: Los Angeles
These illustrations pay homage to the poetry of Devin Kelly, my friend who died at the age of 22. Several of these images were projected at his funeral & seek to restore the beauty of his life. It shows his loved ones mourning and processing through their artistic outlets, namely his mother’s dance, his lifelong best friend’s wood sculptures & my sequential drawings. His best friend’s wood carving was made the night we found out about Devin’s tragic passing. Upon later reflection of Devin’s poem, "A River Bed Dream," his words seem to echo through the silence while referring to him & the vaporous memories we have left.
City:
From Left to right: Mario Alfaro, my wife’s stepfather when he was in his 20s; Guadalupe Alvarez, my Pops celebrating his retirement c. 2002; Felipa Castaneda, my tia in her 20s; Maria Jarquin, my wife’s grandmother; my Pops in his 20s.
City: Cudahy
This is a nicho in honor of Dia De Los Muertos. To celebrate love Life and Death. I also incorporated the are of Filigrana paper quilling. I learned this art in Mexico when I visited my familia in Veracruz. My mom has always made sure we keep this tradition and I put an altar up for my abuela every year.
City: South Gate
Zapatero is a portrait of a Guatemalan immigrant who provides shoe repair services throughout the City of South Gate. The image comes from a series, Southeast Drive, exploring daily life in LA's southeast cities. To view the series please visit: http://www.leopoldopena.com/southeast-scenes
City: South Gate
Lulu was a golden chihuahua gifted to us by a family friend. She passed away a few years ago. She was spunky, caring, silly, and always hungry. There's not enough space to share all the memories I have of her and how much she meant to me but whenever I think of her it reminds me of all the love and affection that I had for her and how much I miss her.
This is a Pokemon plushie of Jolteon who reminds me of Lulu accompanied by @Kalliarte and @Utopia_artes artwork.
City: Downey
Amalia is an educator who is teaching her son about his culture during their distance learning at home.
City: Los Angeles
When my grandfather bought his first home in LA, the first thing he made was an altar for the Virgin Mary. It started off with a picture frame, and now it’s a porcelain figure. My grandfather might have passed away, (in 2007) but the Virgin Mary still stands outside my home. It is a memory of my grandfather that I will forever treasure! May his soul be RIP!
City: Downey
A painting of the Virgin Mary wearing a traditional calaca mask in honor of Dia de los muertos while representing Los Angeles, the city of angels.
City: Fox Island, WA (formerly South Gate 1957-1986)
Annual Christmas Parade on Tweedy Blvd. Jane Mansfield was Grand Marshal in 1961.
City: South Gate
An image of Tweedy Mile while the historic Allen Theatre was still in operation.
City: South Gate
My father passed away on Valentines Day of 2019. About a month before, He was released from St. Francis on Christmas Eve after a month-long stay. There was a foundation passing out plush toys for Christmas to all patients, and my dad was gifted this weird emoji elf thing. I suggested he give it to my 7 year old nephew, but my dad insisted I keep it. It now lives on my bed, the last gift my father gave me, and a weird reminder of his affection for me.
City: South Gate
Mi Madre siempre se preocupaba por encontrar zapatos que nos quedaran bien. Ella las Miró y me dijo -Maria te encontré unas CHANCLAS que te van a encantar- y después de 10 años todavia las tengo .
City: South Gate
My dad’s cane still hangs in our family home in South Gate. He passed in 1992 on Day of the Dead. He moved his family to South Gate after being diagnosed with Cancer and a year later he passed.
This year it will be his 28th year of passing and that cane is still with us.
❤
City: South Gate
This was the last tire to come off the production line before the plant closed.
City: South Gate
One of the artifacts in the Museum depicting California before settler influence.
City: Downey
This was from a trip I did to Morelia, MX back in 2018. I did a Dia De Los Muertos tour and they took us to, Santa Fe de la Laguna. We toured the area and stood under a roof waiting for our bus while it rained outside. The local kids kept running around going to all the tour groups and saying, "Para La cooperación" and pointing to their jack o lanterns. This picture is when someone gave the kid a few coins and he was happy he got something! He kept staring at it and all the kids ran to him to see what he got. He then pointed to the tourist that gave him the coins and all the kids asked for some too. This is pretty vivid memory I still recall till this day.
City: Paramount
Mi abuelito, Papá Chago, falleció en 1974. Era una persona pasiva, tranquillo, paciente, y alegre. Tenia mucha responsabilidad y respeto a los demás.
Yo me acuerdo que nos cantaba la canción de la rana y siempre usando su sombrero. En la foto nos estaba cantando la canción.
Cuidaba mucho su sombrero. No le gustaba que lo brincan o subían arriba del sombrero. Cuando el iba a comer, si quitaba el sombrero porque la hora de comida es sagrada.
Papá Chago siempre vivirá en nuestro recuerdo.
City: Paramount
Mi abuelito, Papá Chago, falleció en 1974. Era una persona pasiva, tranquillo, paciente, y alegre. Tenia mucha responsabilidad y respeto a los demás.
Yo me acuerdo que nos cantaba la canción de la rana y siempre usando su sombrero. En la foto nos estaba cantando la canción.
Cuidaba mucho su sombrero. No le gustaba que lo brincan o subían arriba del sombrero. Cuando el iba a comer, si quitaba el sombrero porque la hora de comida es sagrada.
Papá Chago siempre vivirá en nuestro recuerdo.
City: Paramount
Mi abuelito, Papá Chago, falleció en 1974. Era una persona pasiva, tranquillo, paciente, y alegre. Tenia mucha responsabilidad y respeto a los demás.
Yo me acuerdo que nos cantaba la canción de la rana y siempre usando su sombrero. En la foto nos estaba cantando la canción.
Cuidaba mucho su sombrero. No le gustaba que lo brincan o subían arriba del sombrero. Cuando el iba a comer, si quitaba el sombrero porque la hora de comida es sagrada.
Papá Chago siempre vivirá en nuestro recuerdo.
City: South Gate
Leonard Brown is the president of the board of the Friends of the South Gate Museum Association and a lifelong South Gate resident. He fondly remembers his childhood growing up in South Gate and exploring the LA River with friends.
City: South Gate
My dad’s cane still hangs in our family home in South Gate. He passed in 1992 on Day of the Dead. He moved his family to South Gate after being diagnosed with Cancer and a year later he passed.
This year it will be his 28th year of passing and that cane is still with us.
❤
City: South Gate
Mi Madre pudo en su ultimo año de Vida cumplir unos de sus hanelos y handar en tren fue uno de ellos. Aqui con mi nieta atravesando California en el Amtrak.
City: South Gate
Luzelva Guzmán Reyes, migrated from Jalisco, Mx to SELA. She moved to her home in South Gate in 1991, with her husband Moises Reyes who unfortunately passed a year later. After Señora Lucy’s immense loss she dedicated her life to care for her home and three young daughters. She was a creative and passionate florist. She not only made artificial arrangements to sell to help her family she also designed and made her own clothes to save money. Years later the city of SG recognized her home as one of the most clean and beautiful homes in the community. A beautiful garden, palms, trees photographed of this home also won an award for photography at SGHS when her oldest daughter entered the photograph in a contest.
Her home was her pride and joy and best gift she left for her daughters — as Doña Lucy joined her husband in a mansion full of flowers in heaven.
City: South Gate
Hello I would like to submit this picture of my father and his sister/best friend they were inseparable and they loved each other do much that fate would have it that they both passed away 2019 just 20 days apart. The bond they had was the strongest I have ever seen.
City: South Gate
This is one of the many beautiful memories my Daddy left me with. His heart and soul was one of the purest. His compassion and love was unconditional. I miss you every day, but I feel you resignate within the depths of my soul. Te quiero con toda mi alma y con todo mi corazon .
City: Downey
Taken too soon: Veronica- My sister-child
City: Downey
” If those Eyebrows could talk”: Adrian, loyal & dedicated to General Motors in South Gate his whole life.
City: South Gate
My sister, Flor Celeste, passed away from breast cancer last year. We keep various images like the submission in the living room to remind us that her laughter and smile will never be forgotten.
City: South Gate
Picture of my Dear Grandpa Bernardino Gutierrez on a trip to Mexico. He was always the sweetest Grandpa to all of his Grandkids. We miss him dearly. (1933-2018)
City: Woodland Hills
These are my great aunt and uncle who both have passed.
City: Walnut Creek
Drawing my grandmother has always helped me cope with her absence. She passed away three years ago, and I am still working on transmuting the pain to purpose.
City: South Gate
Madre, abuela y bisabuela, muy querida por todos
Orgullo de la familia
Nobleza que siempre demostró en su personalidad
Sincera y adorable
Ejemplo de la familia
Riéndote siempre te recordaremos
Riéndote estarás con tu viejito querido
Amorosa y siempre contenta
Tremenda alegría siempre tenías en tu corazón
Encantadora y siempre llena de felicidad
Abuelita, te vamos a extrañar mucho y por siempre serás recordada pero sabemos que vas a estar muy bien con DIOS y que siempre nos cuidaras desde el cielo. Tu vida fue un tesoro que nos bendecirá a los hijos de tus hijos. Te queremos mucho y nunca de olvidaremos.
City: Lynwood
My Father and I. - Artwork commissioned by Erick Pepper Rivera.
City: South Gate
Our beloved Alex passed in November of 2018. We love him and miss him dearly.
City: South Gate
This picture is of my maternal grandparents on their 55th wedding anniversary in El Salvador. The date is August 5, 1993 and my family planned a surprise wedding renewal for them.
Although both of my grandparents have now passed away, their love and memory lives on through all of us. Every time I see pictures of them, I am reminded of all of their hard work, the many sacrifices they endured to raise 8 children, and the unconditional love they always showed us and each other.
I am forever blessed for the time I had with them and miss them every single day!
City: Oceanside
I have a lot of great memories of three years spending there had a lot of great teachers like mrs. Raywall which is now mrs. Miller mr. Dobson mr. Peterson I love the sewing class homemaking Business Machines I remember struggling up three flights of stairs with my books and crutches but I met a lot of great friends there and I still keep in touch with some of them.
City: Long Beach
This painting of my late father and I as a newborn incorporates collage, sourced from various family photos. Due to his passing, I have struggled with the uncertainty of his acceptance over my queer identity and gender expression. By weaving childhood memories of my mother and siblings, their images symbolize the support I desperately seek from my father. In spite of this, these photos also represent the mourning I have not only of his death but the life my family and I experienced with him. "Victoria & Daddy" serves as a place for nostalgia, acceptance, and commemoration.
City: Bell
Inspired by curiosity, Toby never fit into the stereotype of a bulldog. He always managed to ravage around the Alivio backyard, and dig his way into new discoveries. Old age and health problems slowed him down, but now he's running in heaven.
City: Los Angeles
This is a portrait that I made of my mother, Deborah after she passed away. It is from a photograph of her when she was young. Her face is partially in black and white, and partially in color. She is surrounded by roses and a wreath of flowers. There are castles in the background. She is surrounded by halos that represent her angelic nature and the astral plane. There is some dripping from her eyes, that represents tears and some of the pain she felt during her lifetime. The blue in her eyes mimics the blue in the sky.
City: South Gate
My mother, Henrietta Parsonson worked in the cafeteria at Hollydale School, in the southeast corner of South Gate. Most of her years there, she was the cook-manager. She left for work about 6 A.M. She had heavy work to do to get the lunches ready. She often served 300 children. She liked her job. She was a much better cook than I ever became. She was cool headed when things went wrong, and inventive. The menus for the lunches were set in the main office so all the schools served the same lunch. Sometimes the cafeterias received surplus food. Once they sent out Limburger cheese. The odor was awful. She had to use it for grilled cheese sandwiches. There was no option. Most of them ended up in the trash. Then she had to use it in macaroni and cheese. She tried diluting it with the regular cheese, no help. Most of it ended in the trash again. Thankfully they only sent it out once. Then surplus canned plums came. She thought the kids would like them. But the kids had never seen that purple fruit. They did not eat it. So, my mom ground them up and used them when she had to serve cake. She made chocolate cake with plums in it. The cake was very moist. It went over well. The plums were eaten. In those days, the cafeteria did not receive cake mixes. They made them from scratch. My mom baked her own rolls and she made bread dough for the crust when pizza was on the menu. Occasionally she played games on us at home. Once she served us "barnyard fish". It looked like a filet of fish, breaded in saltine crackers. It tasted good, just a little chewy. After we ate it, she told use it was cuttlefish. Days later she told us, it was squid. My brothers and I would probably have just stared at it if we knew what it was. She died in 1978.
HOLLYDALE SCHOOL RECIPES
Ranger Cookies
Cream
24 cups shortening
24 cups granulated sugar
18 cups brown sugar
42 egg
12 teaspoons vanilla
Mix
48 cups flour
16 tsp. baking powder
24 teaspoons soda
12 teaspoons salt
Combine the 2
Add
48 cups oatmeal
48 cups lightly crushed cornflakes Bake at 350
Chocolate Date Squares
9 cups chopped dates
9 cups hot water
9 teaspoons soda
Pour water over dates and soda and cool.
9 cups shortening
9 cups sugar
15 eggs added 1 at a time
6 tablespoons vanilla
? salt
Cream and add to dates
14 cups flour
1&1/2 cups cocoa
4 cups chopped nuts
Combine and add to above mixture
Press into baking pans, bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes, cool and cut.
City: Downey
“Short, Feisty & one of a kind”: Carrie, a story teller for days.
City: Downey
“The Smile of Coco is priceless”: Colleen, also known as Coco wouldn’t smile much but what she did, it was priceless.
City: Bell
My Lola (abuela) passed away a few years ago, she was a witty and loving person. I remember this one time my aunt asked her what her secret was to looking and feeling young. Lola just laughed and said nothing special, "I drink a coca cola and cafe a day."
City: South Gate
This portrait represents a strong, caring, and independent man who was deeply loved by many. My grandfather was always lending a helping hand. Being self-employed and having his own business, a business that is now carried on by the family, allowed him to help out many members of this community. The white roses are not only symbolic for his love for them, but the use of three is a symbolic representation for his wife, children, and grandchildren. People he loved dearly.
City: Huntington Park
Chuya and I had plans to travel throughout all of Mexico. After she passed away in February, I felt sad thinking about all the places we would never get to go to but as I went through her photos, I saw that we managed to see a lot of the world together. Reflecting on our travels, I'm happy for the time we did have.
City: Lynwood
Patti- beloved mentor, spiritual counselor, friend. We met when I was 8 and swimming at SG Pool, where she worked for 30 years. She became a staple in my life, like she was for many kids in the community, our friendship spanned over 25 years. Patti helped me through school and career, supported me during my darkest moments, taught me the importance of giving back. She dedicated her life to serving, aquatics, and the pool which now bears her name and motto, "Strive for Excellence." Patti was truly a vessel of which blessings flowed through, and will forever be missed.
City: South Gate
My brother Junior passed away 10 years ago this year on 10/10/2010 - he was very much loved by his family & is truly missed every day.
City: South Gate
Maria Luisa Gomez was a beloved wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Friend to many. On January 3, 2020 she went on to be joined with her husband Mariano in Heaven. Maria Luisa was a South Gate resident for many years.
City: South Gate
mi papa querido. Siempre lo extraño.
City: South Gate
This is a picture of my grandpa who passed away in 2018. He use to say he loved me because I use to take care of him.
City: Los Angeles
Hice este retrato de mi bis-abuela Zenaida como regalo para mi madre quién migró a US hace 35 años y lamentablemente su situación migratoria no es favorable por lo que no se le permite regresar a su tierra natal a visitar a su familia. La última vez que vio a su abuela fue hace 20 años y tristemente cuando falleció no le tocó despedirse de ella, así que yo le realicé este retrato de nuestra abuelita Zenaida para que pudiera verla diario.
A mi me tocó cuidar de mi bisabuela en sus últimos años y me contaba historias de su juventud muy interesantes. La última vez que la vi fue en un sueño, vino a despedirse de mí, era una casa de paja con un río de lava que pasaba por en medio, dentro de la casa estaba su ataúd forrado con flores de cempasúchil con ella adentro, más mi abuela también se encontraba parada a mi lado tomándome de la mano diciéndome que todo estaría bien.
City: Maywood
Abue Galdi would ask his nietos for a nice cold treat. We oblige. Whether it was an actual smooth or a Starbucks coffee (our cousin worked for sratbucks) we met his request. He told us stories of lions in the cerros near the house and coyotes that would visit the ranch at night. It’s strange to know he’s no longer here but he is still here. We honor his life everyday by loving the land.
City: Huntington Park
If only I had more time with my grandparents.
City: South Gate
From the collection of cards and letters when Glenn Seaborg’s mother passed, here is a picture of him and his mother.
Seaborg lived in South Gate for many years and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1957 for discovering transuranium elements.
City: South Gate
I lost him when I was just 5 years old. Un recuerdo lejano, borroso su rostro pero claro el recuerdo de su amor. It was him who planted the seed of loving to grow my own food. Zanahorias, frijol, rábano, y broccoli. Simple food to grow but such effect on my soul, even at 5 years old.
City: South Gate
The family is submitting an homage to former city councilman/mayor, HENRY C. GONZALEZ.
City: South Gate
They are my maternal grand-parents, Jose Gabriel Montoya and Lia Diez Montoya on their wedding day in Antioquia, Colombia. They immigrated to the United States in the 60’s. They purchased the nice little home we currently live in on Otis St. in the city of South Gate. My grandfather passed in 1990 and my grandmother passed in 2001. Both were born in Medellin, Colombia.
City: South Gate
To our beloved father and husband. Que descanses en paz i en gloria. Algún día toparemos caminos otra vez. Salud Pancho