A woman in denim overalls sitting barefoot on a white stool in her art studio. Behind her, a colorful abstract painting with red, blue, and black geometric shapes. The studio is filled with art supplies, paint cans, and canvas paintings, and the floor is covered with paint-splattered drop cloths.

After leaving a decade-long abusive relationship, I found myself a single mother of four, rebuilding life from the ground up. Between returning to school and pouring my heart into raising my children, I never expected to find love again—and I was at peace with that. In the midst of starting over, I began a new body of work. I cut the wood, built the largest frames I had ever attempted, stretched the canvas by hand, and poured myself into painting.

Weeks later, I stepped back only to realize I had completely overworked every surface. The colors were muddy, the harmony lost, and I was devastated—doubting not just my work, but myself. I left the studio for a time, and when I returned, I decided to begin again. What I hadn’t realized was that those canvases were mirroring my own journey: messy, layered, and raw.

Instead of discarding them, I chose to embrace what was there. I began adding geometric forms, blending gradients of color reminiscent of a sunset. Triangular shapes emerged—beams of light that cut through the chaos. These beams became symbols of rebirth, resilience, and most importantly, hope.

During this same season of renewal, I began opening myself to the possibility of a full life—spreading my wings for the first time. To my surprise, I found myself falling in love. This transformation naturally wove its way into my work. I began incorporating three-dimensional butterflies, blending them seamlessly into the gradient beams of light.

These butterflies became more than decoration—they embody the feeling of awakening, of carrying both fragility and strength, of having “butterflies” in your chest. They represent the thrill of new beginnings, the beauty of vulnerability, and the exhilarating reminder that I am alive.

My work is deeply personal, but it is also created for others. Each piece carries light, healing, and hope—an offering to anyone who has endured hardship or felt lost in the dark. Through my art, I want people to be reminded that they are not alone, that beauty can rise from brokenness, and that even in the heaviest seasons of life, light has a way of breaking through.

Black metallic, multiloop sculpture with a yellow base, mounted on a dark background.
A woman on scaffolding painting a mural of large pink, purple, and white flowers on the white lower wall of a brick building. The mural depicts a row of flowers with green stems and petals in various shades of pink, purple, and white.
Living room with white sectional sofa, assorted pillows, and an art piece above with a dark wall background.
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Modern office with a large desk, black chair, and computer, positioned in front of a colorful abstract painting on the white wall. Bright natural light from tall windows shows city buildings outside.