Aphrodite's tears (print 8x10)

The myth says purple anemones appear wherever Aphrodite’s tears fall, and that story inspired this painting. The flowers come forward in rich violet tones, blooming against a rough, textured background as if they’re rising through whatever is behind them.

In the backdrop, the letters OPP sit softly inside the graphite. They speak to the outside claims, assumptions, and labels people put on women. These marks don’t define her, but they often end up lingering in the background of her experience.

The anemones push through with color and shape, keeping their femininity intact. This piece reflects what can grow even in spaces touched by other people’s expectations, and how a woman’s identity can remain clear and present despite them.