"The World Doesn’t Have to Be So Scary"

2024, Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas, 32 x 40 inches

 

A black castle rises, stark and spired, its silhouette a testament to the barriers we build to protect ourselves. The jagged edges and imposing form evoke the strength and fear that often shape these defenses. Yet, within this fortress, vibrant lights and swirling pink and golden smoke emerge—symbols of our dreams, desires, and inner hopes. This luminous energy flows outward, spilling into the surrounding world, showing that the beauty we nurture inside can transcend our self-made walls.

 

Beneath the castle, the land is obscured by magical, swirling clouds, their soft pinks and yellows shimmering with golden light. This ethereal mist shields the castle, making it appear as though it floats, disconnected from reality. Yet, through the haze at the canvas’s bottom right, a vivid landscape begins to emerge. A serene coastline, with gentle seas and grassy hills, offers a glimpse of peace and possibility beyond the chaos. It’s a quiet reminder that even amidst the turbulence of our inner worlds, reality holds beauty—hidden but ever-present.

 

This juxtaposition between the fantastical and the tangible suggests that, while we often retreat into imagination and fortify ourselves with walls, there is freedom to be found in embracing the beauty of the world beyond. The painting urges us to lower our defenses, to let our inner light flow outward, and to seek the hope and serenity that exist just beyond the haze.