“We Are Joy” – The rainbow is the symbol most commonly associated with Pride, and since starting this project I have learned that every color has a meaning. I wanted to represent the rainbow as a colorful aura, radiating joy and exuberant energy. In the center is a white bearded iris, an inspiration that came from Iris, the Greek goddess of rainbows. I enjoy the wordplay of “bearded iris” as encompassing both masculine and feminine, just as white encompasses all colors. The style of this composition is a nod to the paintings of Hilma af Klint, a visionary painter.”
“We Belong” – “The landscape is grounded in the scenery of NH, with white birch being the state tree. birches shed their bark as they grow and expand, so I think of them as a tree that is in a constant state of renewal and transition. They are also monoecious, bearing flowers of both sexes, and are usually found growing in community with other birches.”
“We Will Not Be Banned” – “We are living through a time when the banning of books and increasingly restricted access to gender and life-affirming health care are intended to silence LGBTQ+ voices. Words and ideas have power, they nourish the roots of revolutionary action. This painting speaks to the fierce resilience and the unstoppable dissemination of ideas and seeds of change. The world needs a diversity of voices and perspectives, and this mural celebrates the brave and tenacious folks who are showing up and speaking out in ways large and small, despite the adversity they face.”