The Gesture

A towering elephant bends low, not to dominate, but to offer—a simple olive branch to a mouse, who meets the gesture with open eyes. No fear. No superiority. Just a quiet moment where strength chooses gentleness, and the small one receives peace without having to prove its place.

The Gesture speaks to a quiet knowing—that true worth isn’t measured by size, power, or volume, but by the capacity to see another soul clearly, to allow oneself to be seen in return, and to extend the hand—or branch—of friendship. In that exchange, something sacred unfolds.

In a world that often demands loudness and scale, this piece invites us to believe: kindness is strength. And every soul, no matter how small, deserves the branch of peace.

Close, Still

A bird sitting outside of a cage represents a moment after liberation—not the dramatic act of escape, but the stillness and clarity that follows. The bird isn’t flying yet. It’s not in panic or flight. It’s close to what once held it, but now still, choosing presence over fear, and freedom over captivity.

It’s a soul that knows: I am not trapped anymore. I could leave. I may stay. But now, I get to choose. That moment—of quiet, conscious awareness of one's worth—is sacred.

A bird sits just outside the cage, not in flight, not in fear. The door is open, yet there is no rush. This is the moment after the breaking, after the decision, where the soul rests in the truth that it is already free. Close to what once confined, still enough to feel the weight of its own worth. No performance, no escape—just presence. Just peace.

This piece is about the sacred pause—the instant where the soul realizes it doesn't have to prove, escape, or earn anything to be whole. It is already worthy. Already home.

Horizon

In the stillness of dawn, she meets the edge of the world— and remembers her own.

It’s not just a beautiful landscape—it’s a threshold moment. The woman is in between: past and future, grief and healing, ending and becoming. The ocean behind her could symbolize all that she has released or endured. The rising sun and distant mountains ahead represent hope, calling, and the soul’s quiet readiness to move forward—not out of striving, but out of alignment.

She is not running toward the future or away from the past. She is simply choosing it—aware, whole, and finally, at peace with herself. She sits at the edge of everything—past behind her, future unfolding ahead. The ocean carries what she’s released; the rising sun kisses her face with warmth she once believed she had to earn. The wind moves through her hair like a quiet blessing.

In this moment, she does not chase, prove, or run. She just is—held between ocean and mountain, ending and beginning. The soul feels its worth not in arrival, but in presence. Not in answers, but in the still gaze toward the horizon.

Horizon is about that sacred pause—when the soul, no longer afraid of the climb, finally understands that it belongs to itself.

Sunrise/Sunset

The wind moves through her hair like a quiet blessing.

Le Chat aux Lunettes Rouges

Red glasses are a statement. They say, “I’m not afraid to stand out.” And on this cat, they give off serious intellectual-but-playful energy. It’s the kind of vibe that makes you think this cat spends its afternoons reading philosophy books, then casually knocking over your coffee mug just because it can.

This playful cat illustration, “Le Chat aux Lunettes Rouges” (French for “the cat with red glasses”), all started with a birthday gift from my mom—a wooden cat glasses holder that instantly made me smile. It was quirky, unique, and full of personality. That little wooden cat inspired me to pick up my sketchbook and start drawing.

After sketching the idea on paper, I brought it to life digitally on my iPad, adding clean lines, bold red glasses, and a touch of sass. As someone learning French, I gave it a little international flair with a French name—because why not mix art with language learning?

Exploring the Green Treefrog through Macro Photography, Sketching and Illustration

Capturing the beauty of nature is a thrilling experience, especially when using a macro lens to photograph the intricate details of tiny creatures; like I did with this close-up shot of a little green treefrog I found resting on the column of a house in Franklin, Tennessee.

Macro Photography of a Green Treefrog

The macro lens allowed me to get exceptionally close, capturing the frog's vivid green color, the bumpy texture of its skin, and the vibrancy and unique pattern in its curious eyes. Each photograph revealed stunning details, turning a simple frog into a work of art.

Sketching and Illustrating the Green Treefrog

Inspired by the macro photographs, I took to my sketchbook to further explore the green treefrog’s features. To play with color and texture, I then grabbed my iPad and used a variation of brushes and techniques to recreate the little frog’s colorful details, focusing on the play of light and shadow that defines its form.

The Artistic Process

Combining macro photography with drawing offered a unique perspective on the green treefrog. The close-up photographs provided a wealth of detail that informed my sketches, resulting in a richer, more detailed artwork. This process highlighted the complementary nature of photography and drawing.

Conclusion

Photographing and drawing the green treefrog, both on paper and digitally, has deepened my appreciation for this tiny creature. This project not only honed my skills in these three mediums, but also reminded me of the incredible beauty found in even the tiniest details of the natural world. Stay tuned for more artistic explorations and nature-inspired projects!