During the six long years of healing from my divorce, along with other dark family milestones, I found myself navigating through a dense fog of depression, a feeling that seemed in stark contrast to the vibrant life of creativity and intellectual curiosity I had always known. My journey faced an unforeseen challenge; a path layered with the complexity of being a fine artist passionate about traditional printmaking and drawing, a proficient taxonomist of entomology and biology, and an IT professional immersed in the technicalities of web design, digital accessibility, and online learning for higher ed and professional development. This chapter of my life demanded not just resilience, but a rediscovery and reaffirmation of my inner passions and the joy they once unfailingly provided.
There's an undeniable therapeutic quality in returning to one's roots, to the primordial passions that define us. For me, it was the symbiosis of connecting my world of fine art with my worlds of science and tech, thus becoming a holistic multidisciplinary organism.. My academic and professional endeavors, diverse as they were, always circled back to this creative core backed by wisdom. Yet in my darkest moments, this passion has flickered dangerously low.
During this time in search of healing, I embarked on a personal Joy Mission that aimed to transform our living space into a sanctuary of joy—a visual symphony of colors, shapes, and textures that served as a constant reminder of happiness and fulfillment. Every corner of our home became a crafted still life, each piece of art on the wall a deliberate choice to infuse joy and optimism into my daily life. This wasn't merely decorative; it was a strategic act of cultivating an elevated positive mindset, an attempt to architect my environment in a way that left no room for sadness, only sparks of happiness for me, my daughter, and any visitor who enters our home.
This journey back to my core creative essence was certainly not without its trials. There were days when the weight of my emotions made even the thought of picking up a wood carving tool feel like “too much.” Yet, it was precisely in these moments that the true power of art revealed itself—not just as an expression of joy, but as a vessel for externalizing emotions, processing and understanding them, and ultimately transcending my mindset.
Drawing on my love for biology and the intricate beauty of insects and other arthropods, my work evolved. Later bicycles were brought into the mix, weaving together mashed up themes of healthy living, transformation, and the innate resilience found while being in nature. My entomological interests, once a minor focus, often were evident in my art, mirroring my own personal metamorphosis. This interplay of interests not only enriched my work aesthetically but deepened the emotional resonance of each art piece, including my graphic design and web design, creating a bridge between my past and present self.
The impact of this healing journey has been profound, both personally and professionally. By choosing to surround my family with manifestations of joy and allowing this perspective to saturate my work, I have unlocked a new level of creativity and engagement with my art. Clients and audiences alike are responding to this infectious optimism, finding their own reflections of happiness within my pieces. The return on investment was immeasurable, not just in financial terms but in the authentic connections forged through shared experiences of joy and healing.
As artists and designers, we are uniquely positioned to transform the deepest struggles into profound sources of beauty and inspiration. My journey through the valley of depression to the peaks of rediscovered joy underscores the transformative power of art—not only as a medium for self-expression but as a tool for healing, both for the creator and the eye of the beholder. In embracing our inner selves and driving passions forward with purpose, we can navigate the darkest of times with the light of creativity guiding our way.
