When someone you love passes on, there are certain symbols that begin to hold new, profound meaning. For me, that symbol is the cardinal. My mother, before her sudden passing, shared the old tale that cardinals are often seen as messengers from loved ones who have moved beyond. This quiet wisdom truly resonated with me, especially after creating "The Visitor" in 2024, a piece that unexpectedly deepened the meaning of cardinals in my own life.

"The Messenger," painted with acrylics on an 18"x24" canvas panel and completed in February 2025 – the month of my mom's birthday – is another reflection of that enduring connection. It depicts a cardinal in a hushed, nocturnal winter scene.