IN HER WORDS

This is one of the first series I ever created, and for a long time I thought I would take most of it to the grave with me.

At first, it was shame—shame that I had made something so ugly when all I ever wanted was to paint the world in beautiful colors.

Then it was fear. Fear of being fully seen by a world that often sees only the rose, ignoring the tangled roots beneath.

But somewhere along the journey of growing thorns to protect my petals, I began to understand the texture of my bark and the value of my roots.

I could say more.