The creation of Mystery (2012) came during a transformative time in my life. I had just begun diving into the world of digital painting, using tools like Corel Painter and Photoshop, while pursuing a second degree in Web Design. At night, after completing my assignments, I found myself experimenting and creating artwork that didn’t have any intentional direction—something that would eventually become my signature style.For much of my life, art has been a way to process and make sense of my experiences. As a survivor of domestic violence, I used to express myself through pen and ink drawings, filling the page with repetitive lines and swirls. But now, with the Wacom tablet and the freedom of digital tools, I could create in layers, letting the work evolve organically. This was a turning point in my creative journey—one where I truly began to connect with the process, letting go of preconceived ideas and allowing the artwork to take form on its own.
I had never formally trained in painting, but my minor in art during my undergraduate years helped lay a foundation. In college, I took drawing, color theory, 2D and 3D design classes. Now, in my return to art through web design, I felt grounded in both the technical and creative aspects of my craft. I was working at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the Surgical Sciences program at the time, supporting the department's multimedia needs—creating content for the website, photography, video editing, and presentations. I wasn’t a medical student or resident, but I was immersed in that academic and clinical environment. It allowed me to engage with cutting-edge research, and in many ways, it felt like I was contributing to something larger than myself.
It also felt like life had brought me closer to my mother, who had worked in a medical office when I was younger and was a patient at Vanderbilt before she passed from ovarian cancer. My work there had a deep, personal significance—being part of that environment helped me process my grief while contributing in my own way.
The Backdrop of ‘Mystery (2012)’: Work, Music, and Life’s Inspiration
During those late nights of creating Mystery (2012), I was also diving into the music of World Party. Their albums became a constant source of inspiration. As I painted, I listened to their lyrics over and over, letting them guide me emotionally and creatively. Songs like "God on My Side" and "All Come True" spoke to my soul, offering messages of self-discovery, questioning what we were told, and searching for truth within ourselves.
The proximity of my apartment to Vanderbilt and my experience at the Surgical Sciences program formed an emotional backdrop for my work. I was processing so much—my journey of healing from trauma, the discovery of new creative outlets, and my deepening connection to the world around me. The piece I was creating was not just about what I was physically painting; it became a reflection of the mysteries of life, the body, and the mind.
As I worked on Mystery (2012), I began to notice shapes that resembled human forms, like a skull and intertwined skeletons. These images came through without intention—they were born from the process itself. The colors of deep browns and reds, along with the layers and textures, seemed to symbolize the complexity of life: fleeting yet deep, personal yet universal. It felt as if I was exploring the fragility of human existence—the idea that we are more than the bones left behind when we pass.
This subconscious journey, fueled by both my personal life and the music that moved me, gave birth to Mystery (2012). It marks a pivotal moment in my creative evolution—a piece that encapsulated my emotional awakening and my deepening connection to my own healing process.
View "Mystery" (2012) poster print.
