Oil on canvas, 16”x20”

This self-portrait began with all the usual intentions: to get it “right.” But nothing was working. The colors, the background, the mood — all of it felt wrong. In a moment of total frustration, I grabbed black paint and covered the background, then added yellow petals around the head, almost sarcastically. And just like that, everything shifted.

I started to laugh. The painting was suddenly alive.

What I thought was a failure became one of my favorite pieces. It reminds me not to take myself, or my art, so seriously. Creativity doesn’t always show up in the way we planned. Sometimes frustration is just part of the process, and what feels like a mistake is actually an invitation to loosen up, let go, and try something different.

This painting forced me to play. To pivot myself out of frustration. It helped me see that joy and humor are always options.