Materials: acrylic paint and ink on watercolor paper
Dimensions: 30.5 cm x 22.9cm
Year Made: 2026
The characters on this canvas form a psychological map of time, memory, thought, and awareness, painted in a palette of greens, blues, and bold ink lines. They circle the main central figure, representing some of the things that influence us. The monkey reminds me of a friend who died from cancer. Monkeys were her favorite animal, and I often sent her monkey memes during her treatment. The monkey represents the weight and memory of the past. It also serves as a reminder to cherish the present. I often use birds in my work to symbolize rising ideas, thoughts, and the future. Observing them both is a simple figure casually reclining on the ground. This figure represents the present, serving as a reminder to practice mindfulness and observe our immediate surroundings instead of getting lost in our thoughts. His casual nature is also a reminder not to allow anxiety in the present to overshadow the past or the future. Perched right on the central character’s arm and shoulder is a toy-like rabbit. I have a fondness for rabbits. I had a bird feeder as a child, and the rabbits would come to nibble the plants sprouting from the spilled seeds beneath the bird feeder. The rabbit represents our inner child. We should never forget the playfulness and creativity of childlike play. It’s good for that inner child to encourage us to follow rabbit trails and enjoy life with childlike wonder. At the center of the circle, the main figure carries a face within her chest, giving visual form to the inner voice of the heart. This is our voice of intuition. A woman leans in close to whisper advice directly into her ear. This woman represents friends and family providing guidance. Friends, family, and community are also an important aspect of our awareness, how we see ourselves and how we interpret the world around us. All of the beings circling the main figure contribute to the voice inside of us.
This piece is featured in the June 2026 edition of the Wild Thread Collective zine, titled Dreams.
About this Piece
This video shares more about the process and the symbolism for the Voice Inside.