YOU ARE HERE

You Are Here is a collection of 16 4x4 inch original intimate colored pencil illustrations created during the months following my spinal fusion on January 6th. For me, this work represents a snapshot of personal growth and reminder of self during a period of physical and emotional struggle. Following surgery, physical limitations made working at large scale or standing up impossible, so this series was created almost entirely while reclined in bed. After 19 days sequestered in my house, during a particularly tough period for many of us, I began taking short flat walks outside. As it happened, my walking coincided with the changing of seasons, and the chance to witness and document the emerging delights of spring.

Many of the floral images in this series were captured during these neighborhood rehabilitation walks. These pieces also represent a visual map of my progress and mobility. As I gained physical strength and ventured further out into surrounding neighborhoods, I discovered new blooms along the way. I also found visual inspiration for this series in local flower shops and mined images from my photo archives early on, while lying in bed.

“This series celebrates moments, small gains and the visceral joy that comes from experiencing nature. More broadly, it is a timeline during a period of personal growth. Ultimately, the practice of creating again (by any means) became an integral part of my healing process.”