As most of my usual art shows and events were cancelled due to pandemic, I've been soul-searching about my creative endeavors for the past few months. I was going through my earlier paintings, and came across "Someday" which reminded me of why I create art. 

Someday

This painting is an allegory of an ugly duckling who grew up in a big city, Tokyo. Everybody told her she was ugly and not cool. She could not fit into the society. She could not find the right pond to belong to.

She tried everything; she tried to become a good student, and stronger and faster. But she kept running into a wall.

Toward sunset, she hears the loud honking of big birds outside, and she looks up through the window. The window has a bullet hole, which signifies her wounded emotion. She sees a magnificent flock of swans flying over the valley. Then she quietly returns to her art project, as if nothing happened.

That ugly duckling was me. I was abused at home and school. I hated to see myself in a mirror or in a photo. I have so many defects around my head, facial deformity, lazy eye, crossed-eye, stereo blindness, small and crooked nose, missing k9 tooth, cross bite, etc. I did not know how to smile, especially into a camera.

There was one thing I was good at. I loved drawing and crafting. Making art was my emotional sanctuary, and I devoted myself to it whenever I had spare time. Then I slowly started making a new friend one by one by sharing and creating art inspired by nature. I eventually learned to smile.

Making art helped me to connect with Nature and with other people. Now I help people to connect with Nature by sharing my art as an allegory of my personal journey. I love painting animals, and especially birds are my favorites.

What favorite animal best describes you? Write your answer in the COMMENT below.

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