"La Vida de Una Flor de Maga" | The Story Behind It
La Vida De Una Flor De Maga
40” x 60” | Mixed Media on Canvas | 2025 | By Jes Lilly
Bellevue Art Museum | Rebel Beauties 2 Exhibition March 15th - April 26th 2025 | Curated by Elevate PR & Sponsored by the BelRed Arts District
"La Vida De Una Flor De Maga," AKA The Life of a "Flor de Maga," is one of the most personal works I’ve ever created — a visual celebration of life, heritage, and the transformative journey of motherhood. At its core, this piece is a deeply personal reflection, created in honor of a transformative time filled with profound anticipation and joy as I awaited the arrival of my daughter.
The background, with its galactic-inspired expanse painted in acrylics, represents the vastness of the universe — a reminder of the mysteries of creation and the interconnectedness of all things. Its deep, celestial tones evoke both awe and reflection, inviting viewers to contemplate the infinite possibilities that life holds. Surrounding the painting's edge, a radiant 24K gold leaf border adds a sense of timelessness and reverence, symbolizing the preciousness of this moment in my life.
In the center, I’ve rendered a portrait of myself in oil paint, capturing the quiet strength and vulnerability that come with carrying new life. Draped across my body is a flowing garland of Flor de Magas, the vibrant national flower of Puerto Rico. The blooms spill from my neck, cascade across my chest, and trail downwards, grounding me in my heritage. The Flor de Maga is not just a flower — it’s a symbol of resilience, pride, and beauty, deeply woven into the fabric of the Boricua spirit. For me, it also embodies the strength of the women who came before me — my mother, my grandmother, and the countless ancestors whose stories live on within me.
Growing up as the daughter of a Puerto Rican mother, I witnessed firsthand the strength and grace that are so deeply embedded in our culture. Through this painting, I sought to honor that legacy while celebrating the new chapter I was entering as I prepared to welcome my daughter into the world. Each brushstroke carries the weight of that love and reverence — for my family, my culture, and the unbreakable bond between mother and child.
Motherhood, in all its beauty and complexity, is at the heart of this piece. It’s a testament to the physical and emotional strength that women embody, as well as the tenderness and devotion that shape our experiences as mothers. I wanted to capture not just the external form of a pregnant body, but also the profound emotions that come with nurturing new life — the wonder, the joy, the uncertainty, and the overwhelming sense of love, as well as the immense responsibility and selflessness it requires.