Care-o-self

This large-scale drawing is created with graphite, colored pencil, and ink. I incorporated childhood motifs into the carousel because, throughout my life, I was labeled a “gifted child.” Stylistically, I chose a children’s book aesthetic, using bold black outlines and soft coloring to reflect that identity.
The piece serves as a commentary on the pressure to continue performing as a neurodivergent person, the expectation that no matter what, the show must go on. It reflects the experience of carrying that performance into adulthood and navigating a world that is not designed for us.
I incorporated stained glass scenes on the roof, each representing a different section of my identity. Each scene corresponds to a specific emotion expressed by the figure attached to it.
This work also pays homage to my earlier piece, Window to the Soul, as the same stained-glass eyes appear at the center of the composition. Window to the Soul represents the inner self, while Care-O-Self embodies the outer, performed self.
This piece remains one of my personal favorites.