Low Lights Series
December 2023
2023 was really hard for me. This past fall/winter, after all the life changes and various impediments to my creativity, seasonal depression and burn out hit me pretty hard. I struggled to create. I practically forced myself to paint this series out of desperation to keep my head and heart above water. It is smaller than typical because that's all I could take on, and I feel proud to have honored my limits. Little did I know, however, that the sizes would also help me drive home an important point about mental health:
To me, this series is about gratitude for the power of attention to small things. When you're going through it, it's easy to only notice that bad, and what's going wrong. But, if you actively pay attention to the gratitudes and joys that come along, however small they may be, it's possible to hardwire your brain to get back to a healthier place. In other words, they may be small, but added up, they create big change. Each piece honors a small thing that helped (helps) rewire my head. The Lights during my Lows.
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"Petrichor means the pleasant smell of the earth after a rainstorm. No one likes rainy days, especially during cold months. But sometimes things that aren't pleasant are necessary to bring out goodness waiting to sprout. Olfactory sensation is tough to miss but easy to miss interpretation wise. Maybe petrichor is the earth telling us via smell, 'thank you for the rain, now watch me grow'. And what if we adopted the same mentality when unpleasant things happen to us?'"
Petrichor SOLD
24x18in oil and acrylic on canvas
Glimmer SOLD
10x8in oil and acrylic on canvas
"Coined by Deb Dana LCSW, in the most basic definition, a 'glimmer' is the opposite of a trigger. Glimmers are things that when noticed bring small, fleeting moment of joy and peace. Things like a laugh of a child you don't know, the sparkle on the water, a cool breeze, a nostalgic smell, the warm colors of a sunset. These micro moments can gently shape our nerves systems to feel more calmness and safety. So, start noticing the glimmers."
"Komorebi is a Japanese term that loosely translates to the dappled sunlight through tree leaves. I think of this as the earthy version of sunlight sparkle on the water, which is easily my favorite glimmer. But whereas the water reflects all the sunlight in an intense, uniform way, there's something more unique and interactive about the sunlight that sneaks its way to us through leaves. It's fickle, playful, and nuanced by the wind, like a tickle or a dance."
Komorebi
24x18in oil and acrylic on canvas
Atatakami *on consignment with FORMah NYC until 10/31
24x18in oil and acrylic on canvas
"Atatakami is a Japanese word roughly meaning the warmth and comfort of being surrounded by loved ones, or acceptance by others. In 2023 I made a choice to both live and work alone. I moved into a new apartment and into my first non-shared studio, which were both closer to family and within a new art community. Although I've never been more independent, the Atatakami has been palpable, and I am anything but lonely. You can feel your heart lift when these moments of high-quality acceptance and connection happen with others - whether you've known them for a lifetime or just a moment. It's powerful enough to make you feel connected to your humanity within independence, which is a primary ingredient in artistic development, personal growth, and self-love."