I can’t say this was a great year and the melancholy I have is a symptom of our political climate, I don’t know what 2026 holds but so far it’s been very bleak. I feel stuck between wanting to find the happiness in dark times and feeling the dread of the world around me. I ended my 2025 with the flu, which felt appropriate, and while I was alone this final day I feel very lucky to have amazing people in my life and I look forward to meeting many more.

While 2025 was overall awful, I did have many happy moments! I spent time with friends, I made art and got published in magazines and books! What a blessing! This will always be a historic year and I want to hang on to the light. This portrait came from my final lonely day in 2025, full of sorrow, but ultimately filled with color and life.