Reflection

This work stems from my perception of global warming. Ever since I was little, I believed that each season was its own world. Each had its own flavor; the gentle fall of snowflakes contrasts the subtle shift in air as longer days began to overtake the night. Seasonal variety is reflected in my painting. Mountains, ocean waves, and trees represent each unique season. However, over time, those sharp changes started to dull. Temperatures fluctuated, and it became difficult to tell where one season ended and the next began. The merging of what was once distinct became part of my artistic concept. Though my painting shows ecological variety, everything is intertwined. The mountain river flows into a pond, the pond rocks lead to the beach sand, and the waves merge into my hair, visually binding all elements together. It reflects the continuation of change in our earth. Moving on, the evident orange skies in my painting were inspired by the Canada wildfires of June 2023. When the smoke reached Long Island, it painted the sky in unnatural shades of orange and red. The artificial shades reflected harmful human actions, especially overuse of fossil fuels in our daily lives. It felt like we were living in a different world, one not progressed by nature’s rhythm, but stunted by human carelessness. Since then, the seasons haven’t had the same effect. Overall, this painting is not just a memory or a warning. It is a reflection of what we are losing and what still connects us. Although changing the environment itself is not an easy task, we can always change little things one at a time. Throughout this piece, I hope to remind others that what we love about the world is still here, but it won’t stay unless we choose to protect it.