Inspiration for my paintings often comes when I’m thinking back on the trials our family has endured. It’s true that everyone has adversity; however, it’s sometimes overwhelming when it's personal and has no end in sight.

One stormy day, my husband and I were out driving. By chance, I saw two little girls running with their jackets flipped up behind them. They were pretending they could fly. The thought then occurred to me that we sometimes refuse to embrace the storms of life. Instead, we allow the squalls and tempests to beat us down.

I painted She Remembered She Could Fly as a reminder to us all that we can rise above the circumstances of our lives and find joy. We all can fly.

Painting by: Sandy Freckleton Gagon