I worked on these paintings during the Spring and Summer of 2018, during the first several months of a sudden illness. At the time, painting felt like a relief, like I was carving out a small area of beauty and pleasure in the midst of so much change and unknown. Now, looking back on this series, the pieces embody the comfort and relief I felt making them. I started each one with quick and chaotic brushstrokes, and then slowly, very intentionally, found shapes and forms that created something more ordered and pleasing. This series was all about pursuing joy and beauty amidst suffering. I’ve revisited and completed additional paintings in this series to create comfort and relief for myself when needed.