Tributaries of Hope

After the 2024 Election, feelings of hopelessness and despair were

prevalent. As I processed how I felt about it, I kept going back to the idea

of hope. After the 2020 election in which President Biden won, I had

painted a joyous, abstract piece to reflect the fact that we finally had hope.

Four years later, I felt completely opposite feelings.

As I processed this, I started creating this piece. I needed to find hope in

the paint...somehow. The word “tributaries” kept coming to mind as I

painted. I wasn’t sure why until I was almost finished.

Tributaries are smaller streams that flow into a river or lake. Their

cumulative flow feeds these larger bodies of water. Their collective

“effort” builds these bodies of water that can float ships and house

millions of life forms.

What if my small little tributary of hope, combined with countless others,

was enough to get us through? What if all I need is a tiny stream of hope?

This piece reflects the power of this concept, while not ignoring the chaos

and unpredictability of the world today.

This piece is 24 inches by 36.5 inches and is acrylic and oil stick on reclaimed canvas.