Healing from loss has required tapping into resources I never knew I had. I often found inspiration in unexpected places. Clinging to the idea of hope in the essential goodness of life and the positive flow of healing was not easy, but I found even my darkest moments held promise if I remained open to possibility. This uplifting poem by Emily Dickinson expresses the universal quality of hope. Hope Is the Thing With FeathersHope is the thing with feathers –That…
I created this canvas on the third Valentine’s Day after my husband’s death. I called it Empty Heart, though I hoped to imply that the emptiness might someday be filled again. Over time, I have learned that this hope is not just about finding another partner but about discovering who I am without one. I used beautiful hand-silk-screened Japanese Chiyogami paper to define the space surrounding the blank heart shape, cutting another flower shape from a different Chiyogami paper that…
Inner peace can be hard to come by, no matter what loss we grieve. Looking at the stars helps me put things into perspective and takes me outside my small emotional orbit. There is something expansive about stargazing. I find comfort in the quiet nighttime sky, under the gaze of familiar and timeless constellations. Before working in mixed media, colored pencils were one of my primary mediums. There is a meditative quality to layering the colors to obtain the correct…
It may seem premature, but dreaming of spring can be uplifting. When I was deep in my grief, it comforted me to believe—despite the lack of evidence—that things would eventually improve. I know it’s true that even on a cold, windy, and ice-crusted day, the warmth of spring will eventually arrive. Much of my healing relied on faith and hope for better days. This belief acted as a lifeline in the turbulent waters of despair. Even now, I realize that…
I created this piece early in my period of acute grief after my husband’s death. It was winter; I had taken a bad fall and was feeling alone and vulnerable. Taking walks on snow and ice-covered surfaces felt threatening and anxiety-provoking. Where I once found relaxation and inspiration in my rambles through nature, I now felt guarded and uncomfortable. I started this canvas by painting the background and creating a snow effect through spattering. I used fiber paste to depict…
In the deep midwintershown a crystal bright.Snow and stars still glimmerin the dark of night. In challenging times, I find strength by recalling my resilience from past experiences. Sometimes, I leaf through my old journals for inspiration. Recently, I came across the little verse above. I had written it during the winter after my husband’s diagnosis. He had a very frightening reaction to chemo, requiring hospitalization and multiple interventions. In the aftermath, I found inspiration in the song ” A Christmas Carol ” by…
Where I live, it’s cold, windy, and grey. The days are short, and I prioritize seeking light and warmth.Bare tree branches, delicately etched against the winter sky, present a stark beauty that mirrors the experience of grief. When the forest branches are bare, they reveal vistas that often go unnoticed when covered in foliage. Similarly, allowing ourselves to be open to grief can bring to light previously unseen aspects of ourselves as we heal. Recognizing my growth, despite the loss…
I composed my artist’s prayer several years ago while struggling to balance my career with my passion for art. This has always been a challenge for me. Looking back, it reminds me of my struggle to balance life with grief. I seek light, insight, and peace while accompanied by the sorrow of missing my husband and partner. I studied the body’s chakra system or energy centers when I created this piece. The seven colors of the rainbow represent the main…
As we approach a new year, I look back on the past and forward to the promise of the future. I reflect on the life I once enjoyed with my husband, which is so different from the life I am now creating for myself. Yet, each has its unique challenges, joys, and direction. I found myself sorting through a collection of greeting cards I’d designed many years ago. This one, created circa 1988, spoke to me this year. I had…
As the holiday season begins, I am reminded of the importance of focusing on gratitude and the positivity that being thankful brings. Although this season sometimes reminds me of the things I no longer have, focusing on hope, optimism, and gratitude is an emotional antidote to the sadness of longing for the past. I created this piece years ago after my husband’s diagnosis. We found ourselves in a lush field of sunflowers under a blue summer sky. I felt fragile…
I designed this larger canvas some years ago after my husband’s cancer diagnosis. I drew inspiration from my original piece, “Believe,” which I had created at least 30 years earlier. If I were to assign a logo representing my life philosophy, the original “Believe” would be it. I published a post about the original piece in June 2024. It makes sense that I would turn to it for inspiration during such a difficult time. Finding a way to believe in hope, possibility, and…