Celebrate Trans Pride Painting

I'm excited to share with you my Joy Icon series—a series that continues my exploration of how to create and sustain Joy in your life. With these paintings, I'm thinking about the iconic people--from performers to musicians to authors and more--who I turn to when I need to top up my Joy. As I've been painting Joy over the last few years, my respect for others who lead with Joy has grown exponentially. It takes a lot of confidence and self-nurturing to be able to share Joy consistently and repeatedly over time. It's not that hard times or sad times or frustrating times don't happen--they do--but with those times come processes to re-balance and recalibrate in order to keep bringing Joy to our lives and communities. Back when I was working in benefits for a university, we implemented a transgender healthcare benefit. I didn’t know much about being trans at the time, but there were a few transgender students and staff who were now going through this new process at the university, who were kind enough to educate me in a very compassionate and thoughtful way more about what it is to be trans. Simply put, I was in awe. To do something so brave with no cultural support, knowing who you are and what you have to do to survive and be your best self, is an incredible feat of courage. Transgender and gender non-conforming people are some of the bravest people I know. This work of Joy honors and celebrates them and the courage it takes to be fully yourself in this world. This piece celebrates everyone who makes the brave steps to claim their identity. You are all joy icons to me, and this piece is in your honor. This acrylic painting on gallery-wrapped canvas measures 30”x30” and comes wired and ready to hang in your home or (work from home) office. I will donate 25% of the sales proceeds of this painting to The Trevor Project, which provides vital support to LGBTQ youth.