I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, always finding it to be a meditative practice that brings a sense of order to the chaos of everyday life. Since childhood, I’ve enjoyed creating intricate, symmetrical, mandala-like designs in pen and ink—not for any particular reason, but simply for the pleasure of their meticulousness.

When the pandemic began, I started painting on a whim, inspired by a piece I admired and wanted to recreate. To my surprise, it turned out well, so I continued with my own designs. Working with gouache introduced me to a whole new rhythm: the slow, precise process of building layers to achieve the opacity I wanted. Each color takes time, requiring multiple coats, and I discovered that painting offered the same sense of satisfaction I find in detailed, repetitive work.

As a full-time nurse with no formal art training, I never expected art to become more than a personal pursuit. But creating these pieces has been a joy, and sharing them—especially knowing others enjoy them too—has been an unexpected gift. So here they are, for you to see.