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Item description
A framed ink and acrylic piece. Blue, green, and purple ink fill the center of the piece, encompassing a section of white. In the white section there are two butterflies, one teal and the other purple, their shadows reflecting onto the white background. Above the center, another smaller teal butterfly rests with its shadow reflecting onto the white surface. The piece is in a black frame.
Image | 2020

Breaking Free

I was very fortunate during the pandemic to not be in the position of losing employment fully nor losing a close family member to this disease. But like everyone, I did not come through unscathed. In March 2020, I was working as a nurse in clinical research. Everyone in healthcare was seriously stressed during that time. Literally on the day of the announcement that our healthcare system was "shutting down" to all care but emergencies, I tore my meniscus. I didn't know that at the time, because other than hearing a loud pop and collapsing to the floor, I couldn't get any medical care. Luckily, we were allowed to work from home, so I lay on my couch until I could hobble again. It took 3 months before I could get it imaged, and another month before surgery. So, why turn to art during this time? We were mandated to take two days of vacation days each week to save the company money, so I had extra time, and I was hobbled. The sheer emotions that swirled around the world and our community were incredibly chaotic. I knew I wanted to create, but would the art reflect anger, despair, hurt, or hope?

My final piece was inspired by the transformative nature of butterflies. To me, they represent "possibility" of how we all can transform, and if need be, break free of ideas that bring us down.