To the human eye, succulents appear small and fragile. However, this is in fact not true. As I began working with the plants, I realized how similar they are to me and in part reflect who I am today. Like my atrophied muscles, they are squishy, sometimes even bendable and soft. They easily sway and fall. But like who I am, they prove to be strong and indestructible. No matter how many times I dropped, moved around, or tipped the plants over, they never broke. The opportunities for demise were endless, but they never changed, remaining strong and colorful in their complex designs. Interestingly, as succulents die, their petals soften, and their green color becomes beautiful shades of pink.

The succulents are a continuation of previous work, where I photographed cacti that were approximately 1 to 2 inches in diameter. They were utilized as a representation of my personal story battling health conditions, a journey that has been bumpy and seemingly endless. Now, I display my softer, yet stronger side as I have blossomed and stepped into the world as an artist.

With this portfolio, I convey a story of perseverance and growth. The series begins with a crown of thorns, every minute thorn representing every challenge I have faced. As time passes, you begin to see these painful battle scars separate and completely fall off. What is left are the “building blocks” of life, the stems, that start to grow, blossom, and form a flower that appears like a lotus. I ended with the lotus, not just any flower, as it has a unique ability to fall into the dirt and revive itself unharmed, and often symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and rebirth.