alone.
a series of watercolor paintings on aquabord (clay board) dedicate to children in the Foster Care System.
Do you remember staying as a guest in someone else's home? Every interaction feels like an intrusion. Now imagine losing your family and everything you know, and being placed in a stranger's home. As a child, waking up in a new house, with new people, a new school, and no one to talk to. You have nothing but the clothes on your back.
These are foster children, grieving their losses. Many spend their lives moving from home to home, often carrying their belongings in a garbage bag. Trust and adjustment take time, no matter how hard foster families try to help.
My family and I were in a long and unsuccessful process of adoption for a few years with CPS. The heartbreaking stories shared by social workers across the country have inspired this series of paintings (2015-2019). My goal is not to criticize the system or judge parents, but to raise awareness about the children who have endured abuse, neglect, and trauma. These children are in desperate need of care, support, and love.
Thousands of remarkable children are waiting for a safe, nurturing home. They have dreams, talents, and untapped potential. They need someone to believe in them and guide them toward success.
While not everyone can be a foster parent or adopt, we can all make a difference in the lives of these children.
Through this watercolor series, I hope to illuminate their struggles and incredible potential for happiness and success—with a little help from all of us.
Upside down Symbolism
For kids out there without parents or a safe, stable place to call home, their world is The meaning of the word “upside down” is that something is in complete disorder and disarray. One's entire circumstance, lifestyle (and consequently outlook) are often negatively impacted by these drastic and life changing absolutely upside down. In some paintings, the background is upside down to signify the emotional turmoil felt when trying to live in an environment without stability and security.
Butterfly Symbolism
Butterflies are a deep and powerful representation of life. Many cultures associate the butterfly with our souls. Around the world, people view the butterfly as representing endurance, change, hope, beauty and life.
Through heartfelt stories, we can understand that butterflies are an appropriate symbol that conveys life’s struggles and the challenges people have endured and survived to emerge as a stronger, more empathic person.
Trash Bag Suitcase symbolism
The word “home” is probably elusive and confusing for the children in the foster care system as they go from house to house, family to family, unsure exactly where they will permanently land. It’s hard to imagine what emotions and thoughts go through a foster child’s mind as he or she starts packing up his or her stuff, grabbing what few precious possessions they have, getting ready to move to a different “home.”
What many people may not realize is that many of these kids put their belongings in a trash bag.
What type of feeling can this give to a child?
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