milagros

Milagro is a Spanish word meaning "miracle." In the American Southwest, a milagro is a small medallion, usually made of tin, in the shape of an arm, an ear, a leg, or other body part. The medallions are used as votive offerings for which a person has recieved, or wishes to receive, healing. These small paintings, each only 6" x 9", began with images of body parts, but soon came to include images of miraculous plants and animals, and eventually even people, that fill my imagination.

milagro: blessing
milagro: blessing

 

milagro: face
milagro: face

 

milagro: peacock
milagro: peacock

 

milagro: magdalen
milagro: magdalen