It took me years to gain enough perspective to make art that spoke of managing the chronic pain of rheumatoid arthritis. This print and the mixed media pieces represent the beginning of the struggle to do so. My first attempts were too cold, frozen and lifeless. They showed the darker side of the illness…the loss.

I was more interested in the dichotomy of illness and wellness. There is a beauty encompassed by deeper understanding, and intensified emotions that comes out of experiencing loss. I wanted to capture this beauty. The introduction of the flower was a movement towards something more hopeful.

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