Hopes & Dreams.
Following is a continuing portrait series of the nineteen children & 2 teachers killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Please check back as I gradually add new portraits to this emotionally draining, yet uplifting project. When I paint these beautiful children, they become alive to me and I think of their hopes and dreams, and their beautiful lives and the happiness they brought to their families.
Jacklyn Jaylen Cazares. AGE 9. Jacklyn was born to Javier and Gloria Cazares on June 10, 2012, in Uvalde, Texas.
Jackie Cazares and Annabelle Rodriguez (see annabelle’s portrait below) were cousins in the same class. Jackie was the social one. “She always had to be the center of attention,” her aunt said. “She was my little diva.” Annabelle was quieter. But the girls were close — so close that Annabelle’s twin sister, who was home-schooled, “was always jealous.”
Jacklyn was a free spirit that was always willing and wanting to help others. Her favorite color was sage green, she loved to sing, make videos on TikTok and interact with her friends on Snapchat.
She loved all animals but her 4 dogs were her world. She yearned to become a Veterinarian and dreamed of visiting Paris one day.
Elianha “Ellie” Garcia. age 9. The second-eldest of five girls, Ellie helped around the house, reminding her grandparents to take their pills, helping mow the lawn and babysitting her younger sisters.
She loved “Encanto,” dancing for TikTok videos, cheerleading and basketball. [as told to The Los Angeles Times by her grandfather.]
Ellie was buried in a custom-made “Encanto” dress that was gifted to her by the Walt Disney costume design team.
ELIAHANA CORTEZ TORRES, AGE 10. Eliahana played softball and looked forward to wearing her green and gray uniform, along with eye black grease. The final game of the season was scheduled for the day she died, and she was hoping to make the Uvalde All-Star team.“
She was an amazing young girl with so much potential.” a family member told The New York Times. “She was a leader and loved by all her family.”
Annabelle Guadalope Rodriguez, age 10. “ANNABELLE was a sweet young girl whose favorite color was blue, especially on butterflies.” The 10-year-old honor roll student enjoyed watching TikTok videos and spending time with her two sisters.
SHE IS BURIED NEXT TO HER CLASSMATE AND dear friend XAVIER LOPEZ.
Annabelle’s cousin Jackie Cazares, in the same class at Robb Elementary was also killed. Annabelle has a twin sister who is home schooled.
AMERIE JO GARZA, AGE 10. Amerie was “a jokester, always smiling,” her father said. She liked playing with Play-Doh and spending time with friends during recess. “She was very social, She talked to everybody.”
Alithia Ramirez, AGE 10: Alithia loved to draw. She wanted to become an artist, her father told a San Antonio TV station. After a car struck and killed her best friend last year, Alithia sent his parents a drawing of him sketching her portrait in heaven and her sketching his portrait on earth.
Alexandria Aniyah Rubio, AGE 10: Alexandria, who went by Lexi, played softball and basketball and wanted to be a lawyer when she grew up. Her parents saw her make the honor roll with straight A’s and receive a good-citizen award at her school on the day she was killed.
“There is always light. If only we're brave enough to see it.
If only we're brave enough to be it.” —Amanda Gorman
I am hoping my portraits of the beautiful souls lost in the Uvalde mass shooting nudge folks to gather their bravery to seek light, not darkness and division.
For my part I will be sharing the portraits with my congresspeople and senators. I am painting as quickly as I can. Please check back regularly to see the latest portrait.
My state and local representatives will be receiving a steady flow of the paintings. Hopefully they will notice.
SPEAK UP FOLKS! During trying times — when it is easiest to argue & become divisive is the most critical time for all of us to reach outside of ourselves and act together.