I am finding great comfort in all the support surrounding this show. I have enjoyed reading your comments on the blog and via private email. It is nice to know that so many people can relate to recovery in so many different ways. I have heard personal stories of triumph and some amazing stories about loved ones that have overcome their struggles with addiction.

I am moving into a deeper phase of the collection and I take comfort in knowing that all of you are here to support me. My recovery has been about layers and this collection is taking on that same feeling. I am allowing myself to go back to my first year of recovery. I am trying to rediscover the emotions that come within the first year and see if I can capture that rawness on canvas.

I just finished a piece called “Finding A Good Vein” …it is a simple painting with a flesh toned background, layers of black and gray lines and a single red line running through the middle. I love the painting and so far, it is the first in the collection that I have had an emotional response to. I remembered vividly trying to find a vein that had not given in to the daily abuse of intravenous drug use. Terms liked “collapsed vein” and “blown vein” were commonplace in my world and I get such a feeling of accomplishment knowing that my veins are renewed, my skin has healed, and more importantly, I am strong enough to allow myself to remember those lonely days of vein searching.