The Voice Inside

Materials: acrylic paint and ink on watercolor paper

Year Made: 2026

The characters on this canvas form a psychological map of time and awareness, painted in a palette of greens, blues, and bold ink lines. A monkey stands as a personal tribute to a lost friend, representing the weight and memory of the past, while a small bird symbolizes rising ideas, thoughts, and the future. Observing them both is a figure representing the present, serving as a reminder to practice mindfulness and observe our immediate surroundings instead of getting lost in our thoughts. Perched right on the central character’s arm and shoulder, a rabbit evokes the spirit of childlike play and imaginary friends, urging us to chase random thoughts and follow our internal rabbit trails. At the center of it all, the main figure carries a face within her chest, giving visual form to the inner voice of the heart, while another woman leans in close to whisper advice directly into her ear. Together, they capture the complex layers of guidance, memory, and the messages that surface when we finally stop to listen.

This piece is featured in the June 2026 edition of the Wild Thread Collective zine, titled Dreams.