Lily’s Heart is a tragic and beautiful love story told through symbols and talismans. A wounded deer found safety and comfort at the door of a love-filled house. Lily knew she was safe here, and returned each day to take refuge. The story is too long to share here in words, but it is all contained in the talismans depicted in each layer of Lily’s Heart.

Art is the perfect place to process and metabolize a difficult experience, and talismans are my way of expressing those feelings in my work. They go beyond any spoken language and are a familiar and ancient way to communicate.

The first layers of Lily’s Heart are filled with my wishes for her as she journeys to whatever comes next after this life. Those wishes were then layered with white serenity and symbols of her time with us.

I don’t expect that Lily’s story is evident to viewers of this piece, but I hope that it offers a glimpse into Lily’s heart, and reflects back compassion and love to the viewer.