There are gentle moments that I witness during the dying process that my patients share with me. They and their families place their trust in me during their time of grief, and I’m there to listen, to gently hold their hand and to let them know they’re not alone. Life’s wisdoms are often revealed to me as they draw their last few breaths, which has given me the ability to see both sides of life: The darkness and all of the beauty that even the saddest moments can gift.

      Before I started painting, I would go home at the end of my day feeling as though I didn’t have anything left for myself. Something was missing – a special, pure joy and love – there was nothing worth getting myself entirely immersed in outside of work. I began to remember the love I once had as a young girl painting on my dad’s pool table with watercolors, much to his chagrin. Could getting lost in this free-spirited creativity reclaim the joy that was missing in my day-to-day life? I decided to realign my life and be the artist I had always been. I set up a small, humble art studio, which became my little haven, a place where I could spend all day quietly (or not-so-quietly) listening to music and hanging with my two dogs while throwing paint around. It felt amazing to share a laugh with my colleagues as they picked paint out of my hair or checked my nails for which color remained underneath them that day. I knew I had found something that would bring joy wherever I went.

      As a painter, I gravitate towards lots of texture and warm, natural colors that pop with boldness. The tactile essence of my work makes the expression physical and the layering creates a sacred space for viewers to explore their emotions. The abstract nature of my paintings echoes back personal meanings for each viewer. Just as my patients have shared their wisdoms with me, I want others to share the insights that I discover through my creative process. I would love to share my artwork with you and the light and beauty it has brought into my life.