We are born to grow, regardless of our hardship. 
  
I have always loved dandelions. Despite being looked down upon as a noxious weed, their vibrant yellow blooms grow proudly from pavement cracks and compacted soil where few other species could ever thrive. They, like the best of us, take what little they are given and turn it into something beautiful. 
  
Now more than ever it is important that we actively seek the things in this world that uplift us and help us grow. Making art helps me find inner peace; this painting titled 'Qualia' is acrylic paint on stretched canvas. 
  
In philosophy, qualia are defined as "individual instances of subjective, conscious experience." These experiences are moments in time that we alone perceive and can never replicate. This depiction of a drifting island of flourishing earth conveys the most important 'qualia' to me, which are those that expand my imagination and foster my connection with nature. 
  
Despite the rocky times we are living through, remember that there will always be new moments to enjoy, new places to explore, and new ways to grow. 

Chris Giovanni, Outdoor Purchaser