It was the most vibrant, sun-soaked blue day I’d seen in a long time. Winter was finally loosening its grip, and this was that first warm, promising day on the calendar. I’d invited my friend over to take some reference photos for me, an idea we’d been planning for a while. I wanted to move away from relying on Pinterest for inspiration and start gathering my own references, focusing on painting real people.
Ren arrived around 11 that morning, and we’d prepared a few outfits and poses in advance. I already had my heart set on her trying on the blue dress. With her blue hair and that dress, I had a feeling something magical would happen—and it did.
It was one of those rare, serendipitous moments that stay with you. As I took her photo, she stood there, glowing, almost transcendent, as if she were levitating off the ground and into the rich cerulean sky.
This moment became a cornerstone of my series, which draws inspiration from the Pythagorean symbol of 10, representing perfection and completeness. The series celebrates individuality while embracing the beauty of unity. I envisioned a prism of color and stories, capturing the women in my life from diverse backgrounds, body types, ages, and experiences.
As women, one of our greatest strengths is the ability to share our stories—stories of pain, resilience, joy, and growth. Through empathy and connection, we learn from and uplift one another. This series is my way of honoring that strength, showcasing the bonds and individuality that make us who we are.
Through these paintings, I aim to reflect each woman’s unique personality, story, and essence, creating small windows into a world filled with love and empathy. These women are my muses, and through this collaboration, I hope to show them the brilliance I see in them. Apart, we are imperfect, but together, I see perfection. My hope is that you, too, will catch a glimpse of their individuality, feel the depth of what I see, and share in this celebration of strength, connection, and unity.
