Fleeting Thoughts is a series focused on the power women possess, the often-unequal amount of responsibility society places on females, and the emotional toll both take on us. Being a woman in a world that expects utter perfection is like walking a tightrope in a hailstorm. With these pieces, I wanted to explore complexity. 

As we get older, every woman I know is on a journey to find our own identity amidst family, career, and the expectations of others. This series is about digging deep on that journey and finding the power within yourself. The women I depict have a lot to say behind their expressions. They are rocks, holding up everyone around them while trying not to slip and fall. 

I wanted to free these women, empower them. The accompanying titles are meant to convey a message of unity. They are my way of saying to other women, “I see you! I see your struggle and the weight you carry. You are powerful. You are beautiful.”

I incorporate symbols that are whimsical but also representative of the path we walk. Butterflies, flowers, and hummingbirds appear to show rebirth, growth, and a spiritual connection. I often reflected on Frida Kahlo as I painted these. She was a pioneer who wasn’t afraid to show herself in her art. Her life informed her work and vice versa. Every piece she created told a powerful story. 

With this work, I want to tell the stories of women.