Joe, on recovery
Joe: Artist Statement
This painting represents my journey from active addiction, the darkness and bleak shadows on one side…to recovery, represented by the sunlight and the serenity prayer medal on the other side. Somewhere, along the way, I began to break free.
My mother has been there for this whole journey. The pictures of my mom and I walking, with our shadows, show all the times we have felt lost or in limbo. I felt lost and so did my mom. She didn’t know what to do.
Making this painting has helped me feel a whole lot lighter. Addiction makes you feel like a hostage, and by telling this story, and reflecting on my journey, I now feel like a weight has been lifted. I feel free.
