“The climb is not just upward, but inward — reaching back to the spirit we once knew.”
About the Art:
I sought to capture not only the image of my transgender son, Sam, nestled in the branches of a tree, but also the emotional experience of what it feels like to be cradled by nature. The act of climbing, reaching, and resting within the tree evokes a deep memory of my own childhood — a sensation of lightness, freedom, and connection to an authentic inner self.
To express this layered experience, I incorporated a real tree branch into the piece, allowing it to extend beyond the painted surface and into the viewer’s space. The softness of the leaves, the lightness of Sam’s clothing, and the organic flow of the brushwork are all meant to reflect the spirit of that moment: a blending of memory, presence, and timeless wonder.
Through this work, I invite viewers to reconnect with their own inner child — to remember the feeling of climbing toward something bright and true within themselves.
Size: 32”long x 30” wide canvas
33” x 34” from branch points- branch hangs about 2 inches off the wall.
Materials
Acrylic on loose canvas
Branch with sealant
Wooden Trim Molding
______
“The Climb Within- Becoming Enchanted”, acrylic on canvas, branch, mixed media, 34”x33”, 2025 $3,500
On Display at MGalleries.org
“The climb is not just upward, but inward — reaching back to the spirit we once knew.”
About the Art:
I sought to capture not only the image of my transgender son, Sam, nestled in the branches of a tree, but also the emotional experience of what it feels like to be cradled by nature. The act of climbing, reaching, and resting within the tree evokes a deep memory of my own childhood — a sensation of lightness, freedom, and connection to an authentic inner self.
To express this layered experience, I incorporated a real tree branch into the piece, allowing it to extend beyond the painted surface and into the viewer’s space. The softness of the leaves, the lightness of Sam’s clothing, and the organic flow of the brushwork are all meant to reflect the spirit of that moment: a blending of memory, presence, and timeless wonder.
Through this work, I invite viewers to reconnect with their own inner child — to remember the feeling of climbing toward something bright and true within themselves.
Size: 32”long x 30” wide canvas
33” x 34” from branch points- branch hangs about 2 inches off the wall.
Materials
Acrylic on loose canvas
Branch with sealant
Wooden Trim Molding
______
“The Climb Within- Becoming Enchanted”, acrylic on canvas, branch, mixed media, 34”x33”, 2025 $3,500
On Display at MGalleries.org
