. I am a contemporary nature artist who combines embroidery and paint on canvases to create scenes. While most of my work is pleasing to look at , I recently felt compelled to take a risk and use my medium to express some deep emotions I have regarding the state of our country and the world. The imagery began with the depiction of plants torn up out of the soil, their roots dangling loosely. They are lifted into a dark turbulent sky, their beautiful blossoms tossed and swirled over American farmland by unknown sinister forces. As I worked, I identified within me a range of emotions triggered by the brutal changes of the year 2025: Rage, sadness, outrage, hopelessness, grief, disgust, betrayal, unfairness, shock, dismay, insecurity, confusion, loss. I imagined the depth of collective trauma on all living things and felt compelled to further create powerful images expressing the darkness of this troubling year. Visual references and metaphors for turmoil and chaos are plentiful. With this 4 panel piece, I have explored plant life (Uprooted), Female trauma (Uprooted Rose), Male trauma, (Uprooted Fallen Tree) and humanity, (Uprooted Heart). Each panel is 48"x48" . The background sky and some additional details are painted with acrylic. Texture and the majority of foreground imagery is stitched on my embroidery machines.