​The inception of the "Got Your Back" project was a deeply personal journey born out of a need for healing and expression. A few years after recovering from bilateral knee reconstructive surgery, I found myself drawn to painting. Despite immersing myself in creating art, I felt an inexplicable void.
The turning point came one afternoon while I was working with a patient who had undergone bilateral knee replacement surgery. As we compared scars and shared the frustrations of recovery, I recalled a project from massage therapy school. We had traced our bodies and filled each part with representations of what they meant to us. Inspired, I decided to employ my body as a brush, laying my back in paint and creating a print on canvas. The result was a beautiful narrative captured in color.
Fast forward a few years, a dear friend named George received a devastating cancer diagnosis. George, my biking, blackjack, and foot massage buddy, was told he had one year to live. In a heartwarming turn, he proposed to his girlfriend. To celebrate this moment, I created back prints for both of them, gifting them a piece of art that told their story.
After George's passing, a group of women and I began gathering for paint nights at Jen’s house. These evenings were filled with laughter and solace, as we comforted each other in the aftermath of losing such a bright light. It was during one of these nights that I proposed the idea of everyone creating back prints. Initially hesitant, the women eventually embraced the idea. Watching them choose paints and create their prints with childlike enthusiasm was magical.
"Got Your Back" became a living, breathing project that continues to heal me. I am profoundly grateful for everyone who participated and supported this endeavor. A special thank you goes to Dana Pleasant for providing her artist space in Seattle and Fulcrum Gallery for hosting our show in Tacoma.
This project is a testament to the power of art, community, and healing. It reminds us that through creativity and companionship, we can find solace and strength in even the most challenging times.