In the village of Yetla, Oaxaca, the traditional dress huipils are decorated with stylized red, geometric trees, one design for each of the 4 stages of womanhood. Maria’s tree is a sprawling, wildly branching sapling, characterizing a child running about and stretching upwards day by day like a fast growing plant.

Hand painted cottons, raw edge applique, machine stitched and quilted, bamboo batting, polyester thread.

Permission granted for use by photographer Eric Mindling