Acrylic on wood board, 5" x 7"

About the piece: There is a Korean legend about carps swimming against a very strong stream, the one that successfully went up against it turned into a dragon. That is why carps can symbolize one who is self made. One who made themselves into something against all difficulties.

Emergence means the process of coming into view after being concealed or the process of coming into being, becoming important or prominent. In this piece the subject emerges from the rough waters in a peaceful state amongst her kindred spirits, the carps. The choppy waves symbolize all of the hardships, the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the tough things we must endure at times in order to emerge stronger and more at assured with ourselves and our surroundings. When times are difficult and challenging, it can later be seen as a beautiful reminder of what makes us who we are.