Her Maiden Name is Woods

2023
acrylic on canvas 
36 x 36”
 
One of the most influential figures in my life is my mother, Carmen Aelena Woods. She embodies kindness, creativity, and spirituality, continuously evolving as a human being. I've always admired her fortitude in navigating through life's challenges. She is living a life of many careers by raising 4 children, retiring as the Charge Nurse in the Oncology Ward and getting her Masters from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA.,in Theology Studies, leaving me beaming with pride. My mother taught me the power of healing spiritual pain through gratitude. Her emphasis on connecting the body, mind, and heart has profoundly influenced how I navigate the world. She inspires me to keep striving towards light, and to accept what hard lessons lie ahead. 
Thank you, Mom. I love you. XO