Because the mural is in a public place, with lots of people seeing it I wanted to be true to myself and my artwork, and send a message to women; to paint something for women; to help them feel empowered; to tell them, “You are worthy; you are enough; it is not too late to start over.“

I want them to walk by and feel inspired by it. When they see the powerful declarations in it, no matter what the challenge is, they can be reminded that they can overcome it and do a lot more than they think they can.

It is also really my own therapy, my own reminder to myself to not give up, that I am enough.
Stemming from my own experience we women tend to undervalue ourselves. And sometimes we do not give ourselves enough credit.

When we look for a job, we tend to believe,” I am not worthy, not capable.”
When we are abandoned or betrayed by the men in our lives we tend to think, “What did I do wrong? I am not enough; not pretty enough; not thin enough.”

But the problem is not with us, it is with them.

We are enough. Do not undervalue yourself. It is about self-love.

We must love ourselves. We are sometimes our biggest critic.

These are the lessons I have had to learn.

A few years back I was in a place where I felt unworthy and not good enough. I was in a severe depression with suicidal tendencies. I believed the world would be better without me. It took a lot of self-reflection and therapy to move out of that.

That is why I am trying to deliver this empowering message with my mural.

Women need to support each other.

The mural depicts three female figures interlocking and holding hands. On their backs the words: I am enough; I am worthy; it is not too late.

On their arms I have acceptance, self-love, empowered, still I rise, the semi colon symbol like tattoos.

The semi-colon symbol represents someone remembering a specific time in their lives while also recognizing what they must do to make the future better for themselves. It is a mental health movement presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury.

That is the message I want to convey. If depressed, I hope it will give them the motivation to make it through another day, another hour.

What a great public platform to be able to share a message of encouragement to help women feel empowered, validated and uplifted.