Working through a challenging year, Grief Amidst Joy reflects the tumultuous movement of busy positive energy in the wake of managing loss and one’s sense of self. This piece sat most the year awaiting my time and focus… and as always, I struggle to complete work, carrying on a long conversation with every painting about what it wants and what I think it should have. Eventually, I have to let go and allow the piece to direct itself. It always takes time for me to “like” what I have done, as the struggle is bittersweet.