In 2007, my husband Billy was suddenly diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, and within a week, my father passed away. The emotional weight of these events—grief, fear, pain, and moments of joy—became the driving force behind this body of work. I began creating as a way to process these overwhelming emotions. By drawing my heartbreak, I slowly came to accept what was happening. Through this acceptance, I found peace and began to understand that happiness is a choice, not something dependent on circumstances. While change is beyond my control, I learned I can still find inner peace, no matter what life brings. The work began with charcoal drawings, which evolved into three-dimensional assemblages using found objects like rubber flies, nails, and gauze. I then photographed these assemblages, combining the images with abstract paintings, printed on canvas and resin-coated to transform the rawness into something beautiful. The pieces—Void, Whisper, Flow, Ebb, Solace, Essence, Wonder, and Embrace—were exhibited in a solo show at 415 Gallery in San Francisco in 2008.