Vero
Portrait with Nick Collura
Description: A young woman holding a bright lantern steps out of a white door. Behind her is a stormy plain with dark clouds. The doorway leads into a sunny landscape with blue skies and green grass.
Portrait with Nick Collura
“I was born on the South Side. We're surrounded by my family there.
A great memory I have was the day my brother was born. I also remember when I was little, I was only fluent in Spanish. My school was an English school and I didn't know English. I was very shy and I wouldn't want to talk. Every time my Dad would come home late, even if he was tired or hadn’t ate, he would take out a book to help me learn the alphabet.That's something that's always stuck for me. I also look up to my Grandpa. He was very independent and did everything he could for his family and just like him, I want to do everything I can for my family.
I come from a big family and because of that, my main goal is to have a big family of my own. I know it’s not going to be the easiest thing. I can see my kids running around, healthy and I will provide for them. At 50, I will look back and feel satisfied that I fought for it and accomplished it.
If I could change one thing about the world right now, I would change the way people are heard. I want people to be heard and not disregarded, like we sometimes are.
I describe myself as caring and very welcoming. It is important to me. I don’t ever want someone to feel left out or that they can’t be who they are around me. I think I give people that feeling and they feel comfortable talking to me. That makes me feel real good about myself, because I want others to be that way with me.
For my portrait, I wanted to do something that was like how I've been feeling throughout my life --going from the dark to the light. In my life, I rely on my inner-strength a lot to find the light. I'm pretty proud that I’ve learned to accept myself. I was in such a dark place for such a long time, because I didn't know who I was. I'm proud that I finally know who I am. I did that. I don’t give up. I struggle to get to the good parts-- the best parts.
See me because I am strong, loving and hard-working. I know myself and I am proud of who I am.”
Milwaukee, 2020