Kintsugi

I AM (c) 2015 Art of Trisha Leigh (Shufelt) 

I began this piece just before I found out I had breast cancer. I was awaiting my test results at the time. After my diagnosis, I put it aside. I did so, because of energy levels, but I also found it difficult to work on due to mixed emotions. I wanted to convey the symbolism of the lotus emerging from the muck. I also liked the Japanese technique Kintsugi, applying gold to broken things in the belief that in doing so they become more beautiful. At the time I began this, I felt broken, not beautiful. I soon began to realize that I was not broken and deep within I was blooming into something beautiful. This is what breast cancer has taught me.

I finished the piece today.