The Journey of "Mi Alma": From Struggle to Healing Through Art

Creating the art piece with clay in El Yunque, Puerto Rico, 2019.

"Mi Alma" is more than just an art piece; it represents a profound journey of healing and self-discovery. It all began when I decided to take professional photos in nature for my website. I reached out to Fernando Samalot, a gifted photographer, who suggested a magical spot in "El Yunque" for our shoot. Surrounded by nature's beauty, I immersed myself in the creative process, using natural clay mixed with water to paint fabric, almost forgetting Fernando was capturing the moment.

Despite the serene setting, I was at a low point in my health. It was 2019, and my body was in desperate need of a reset. After returning home, I began a series of doctor appointments and started on various medications, including chemotherapy, which made me feel even worse. This challenging period marked the beginning of my journey towards wellness, guided by the Six Dimensions of Wellness.

I did eco-printing with iron water at my former home in Florida in 2020.

In 2020, as my hair began to grow back, I felt a deep connection with myself—my soul and body were in harmony. Inspired by this newfound connection, I decided to eco-print the piece of fabric with iron water, letting the alchemical process dictate the final appearance of the art. I carried out this process in the backyard of my former home, a place where I performed health rituals like grounding, tree hugging, meditation, tea drinking, deep breathing, yoga, creating art, and connecting with animals and nature. This time was incredibly significant to me, especially during the pandemic.

In 2021 I added some embroidery with the word “Mi Alma”

By 2021, I began embroidering the words "Mi Alma" onto the fabric. It felt right to add these words, along with a feather from the peackocks that often visited me, gifting me their presence. Once completed, I tucked the piece away, feeling it was finished.

Piece hanged at my apartment in Puerto Rico.

Fast forward to today, I finally hung the piece in my apartment. After all these years, it felt right to display it. Now living in Puerto Rico, I feel better in terms of my health, even though I'm experiencing significant life changes and heart healing. My soul feels aligned with where it needs to be, at least for now.

"Mi Alma" symbolizes that the journey to health and self-creation can take years, and that's perfectly okay. It's more than okay—it's just enough.

Sending you a hug, as always.