I have grown up as part of a generation that prizes “Expressive Individualism”. I see this a lot in modern art as a way of expressing emotional pain or past trauma. While none of this is wrong, I have found that in my life, what encourages me to move forward away from the pain of life and past isn’t focusing on it, but focusing instead on what is true, good and beautiful.

 Even in life’s darkest moments, I find light and hope in expressing not my individuality, but my connection and joy in the creation around me. When I found watercolor, it was a way of lingering on color and finding joy in a long winter. A time for me that was full of darkness and anxiety. My soul found hope and light as I began focusing on brushstrokes and color, simply brushing a blank piece of paper into something. With that small step in creation, light shone into my darkness.
My hope in sharing this art is that when others look at it, they can share at least a little bit in the joy and warmth I have found in creating it. I want others to be pointed to light in the darkness, hope in the wilderness and joy in the sorrow.