I found a yard-full of sunflowers. This one was lying on the ground near the sidewalk and road, and it fascinated me that “she” was blooming and still looking up at the sun even after the storm had knocked her down. A great reminder that even when I am at my lowest, I can still look up and search for light and warmth. My attempt at painting abstract sunflowers. I painted a four-season tree because I am fascinated by the concept that the trunk and roots of the tree remain the same no matter the season, despite the weather, and however it looks. It helps me to know my inner strength — even if hidden very deep inside me — can remain as a constant. The appearance of the tree — whether with leaves dropping, snow blowing, buds struggling to bloom, or enduring summer’s sweltering heat — can all be beautiful! A lot of my art is “just art” without necessarily a direct tie to the assault; however, I was drawn to focusing on this downed tree. Are the other trees supporting it/holding it up? Total art therapy. I kept moving the canvas board around as I applied acrylic paint rather randomly. It’s not meant to look like “anything” but some people see flowers and water. This exercise is more about process than product.Another process piece, which seemed to evolve into a sunflower. A collage of photographs I took throughout the summer. Nature keeps me sane and offers peace like nothing else can.After the rape, I felt like I had “disappeared.”In an attempt to counter that feeling of nothingness, I painted myself “reappearing,” but on many days I still feel like I am invisible.I felt like my heart was shattered following the assault. I created this piece from a photo and for the heart, I used “found art” (glass along the roadway). The glue running and looking like tears was completely unplanned — serendipity. Keep standing even if you’re unable to stand up straight. Bend rather than break.Power poseI love the moon! Another thing that is cyclical like the seasons.I had created a picture (below) and in a fit of anger, destroyed it. Sometimes you just have to say, “FUCK IT!”Despite saying “fuck it,” I do still rise every morning . . . Somehow. . . Some days are better and easier than others. It took me a couple months to finally start doing art therapy. This is the second piece I created. I used pages in adult coloring books, colored them, cut them out, and made collages.
Speaking My Truth