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."
"This word in Japanese translates nearly directly as 'forest bath', and means the relaxation of immersing oneself and your senses in trees or nature. My favorite part of my new neighborhood is the walks I've been taking by the water or in the woods. It's enough to wake me up in the morning. I think it's easily forgotten that being outside is part of our DNA as humans. We aren't meant to sit inside in front of screens all day, which is easy to do in the middle of a cold winter. There's organic dopamine out there. So bundle up, and get outside."
Shinrin-yoku SOLD
10x8in oil and acrylic on canvas
Serendipity SOLD
"Sometimes, wonderful things pop up out of the blue, without being asked for. I have a hard time believing serendipitous things are random. Good karma, kindness, and persevering when the world is being cruel to you.. it all matters. And it all comes around somehow."
10x8in oil and acrylic on canvas
Apricity SOLD
"Apricity: the warmth of sunshine during winter. Far and away one of my new favorite words, the first time I heard it, I nearly melted. I think it's one of the best, most beautiful, and most ubiquitous examples of an easily missed good thing during a tough time. Once you learn it, and start noticing it, it's almost impossible to keep taking it for granted. And then, you'll start finding warmth during coldness, and light during darkness in more areas of life."