I am so grateful for so many things in my life. Grateful for my son, my family and friends who have been so supportive and present. My son and I suffered an overwhelming, traumatic loss recently causing every aspect of my life to become intensely magnified. As if all the elements that exist in the world had been turned up to the highest possible level. Light, color, sounds, and even human relations seem to be magnified and weighted in a way I’ve never experienced. There is distress and uneasiness in this heightened state yet also a very honest and sincere clarity.

As my son and I navigate our lives now, I realized there was a shift occurring in my overall perspective. Perspective, in my mind, is what truly shapes and informs our everyday experience. From our quotidian to the overall larger picture. This shift also started to alter my approach to my work. 

I started to realize that art (in its entirety) the problem solving, the ideas, the failures and successes, essentially the whole process is what I love. That notion and insight has really helped me during this time. Every aspect of creating art is part of my personal and unique human experience. It is the connection to not only understand myself better but connects me with all genres of artists. Past, present and future. The ability to create something visually that only exists as a notion or an idea in my head is something I will never take for granted again. Art allows me to feel useful, to have a purpose, a place in existence and gives me hope. Art is truly a gift.

“Making art is like giving a gift: evidence of your spirit and that you are here.” - Patty Mitchell