Valerie Hanks

Flight

Reflecting on my own individual transformation through the understanding of past suffering, I explored a watercolor rendering of a butterfly with torn wings, a missing antennae, and tattered areas. The tears are visible and become a part of my journey. In the spirit of brokenness, I learn to fly again. My purpose is still in tact. I experience a spiritual process realizing all things have been used together for good. I take flight.

Junctures

This mixed media on canvas combines acrylic paints, cut paper collage, spray paints, and textured gels. It represents the intersecting lives and journeys in a pediatric hospital setting of every child, family member, child life specialist, social worker, pediatric psychologist and neuropsychologist, health care professional, teacher, chaplain, and expressive artist involved in a cancer diagnosis journey. Diverse backgrounds come together at a juncture where people meet, interact, and lives are forever changed.

Resiliency

A young woman battling cancer struggles to grasp hold to her identity…her femininity…her sight that is failing. My response art combines markers with acrylic paints on canvas. The woman’s brightly colored bandana covers her head instead of hair. Intense strokes of her favorite colors cover a portion of her face hiding her damaged eye. I am moved by her beauty, resilience, and colorful passion to survive.

Recreate

In response to the pandemic and chaos of 2020 and the surrounding anxiety and panic of the world, I gathered multiple acrylic paints and canvas paper and went outside. I began to release the tension through large brush marks, circular motions, and layering of colors. Realizing I have the power to bring more calm and happiness through art in a way that encompasses my current emotions is invigorating. I do not have to be consumed in negativity. I have the ability to rethink and recreate.