JOY TO THE WORLD!

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

“"Beloved community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and cultural legacies that shape who we are and how we live in the world." - Bell Hooks

“We have a great deal to learn about nature, gender and joy from indigenous communities.” - Alpa Shah

“I create space for activities that bring me joy. I say yes to activities that interest me despite my anxiety about trying them. I experience things alone instead of waiting for the “right” people to join me.” - Nedra Glover Tawwab

I find joy by spending time in nature, either alone or with community. This series of paintings, integrates wisdom shared by four different leaders, together with me experiencing joy. There are 3 paintings, and each painting is a set of 4 pieces, symbolizing that creating space for joy is about building relationships with our individual self, and with others. The 4 paintings can be arranged in multiple ways to illustrate that joy is abundant. This series also pays tribute to Black and Indigenous femme leaders who create safety for communities to embody joy.