Mountain Painting

As we go through life, not all days can be bright and beautiful. As an artist, I often find myself overwhelmed with countless worries and concerns while painting. Especially before an exhibition, I wonder if everything will go smoothly and if many people will come to see my work. One day, I confided these concerns to my mother. After listening to me, she held my hand tightly and said, "It's okay whether it goes well or not. Don't worry too much and just paint the pictures you want to paint. I want to see you painting happily." At that moment, it felt as though a great mountain was embracing me. All the complicated thoughts that had been weighing me down became light, as if they were nothing. Like the mountain that always stands firm in its place, my mother's love remained unwavering, protecting me. Wanting to express the sense of peace and comfort I felt in that moment, I began to paint a 'mountain.' The mountain in my work doesn’t exist in reality; it’s a mountain in my heart. I layered many mountains from my memories, one on top of the other, to create a solid mountain range that protects me. With each layer I painted, I reflected on my mother's words and realized that I, too, am growing into a person with a strong inner self, capable of giving the same trust and love.