,,Freedom''

• original hand painted acrylic on canvas
• measures 30x24
• wood frame with canvas wrapped and stapled
• certificate of authenticity

“Freedom” was inspired by the quiet realization that so much of what weighs us down isn’t always visible, it’s the emotional weight we carry, the stories we tell ourselves, the fears we’ve outgrown but still hold onto. The vision of balloons rising freely into an open sky came to me as a gentle metaphor or a way to express the beauty and courage in letting go. I thought about how children release balloons into the sky, trusting the wind, not trying to control where they go. That image stayed with me, and I knew it needed to be painted.

I hope viewers feel a sense of lightness when they see this piece — not just visually, but emotionally. My intention is for “Freedom” to act like a mirror, softly asking: What are you ready to release? I want it to spark something hopeful, a reminder that we all have the ability to rise above what holds us back. Even if we’ve been carrying something for a long time, we can always choose to let it go, and begin again. There’s something very human about that moment of release and also something incredibly empowering.

I chose acrylic for this piece because of its fluid, expressive nature. It allowed me to capture both movement and clarity, the softness of the sky and the vivid presence of each balloon. The subject matter came intuitively: balloons are often associated with celebration and joy, but here, they also symbolize liberation. I leaned into a semi-minimal, yet whimsical style to keep the focus on feeling, rather than overcomplication. The simplicity of the floating balloons against an expansive sky felt honest, as if the painting.