Pathways to Wonder

This painting was inspired during the time I learned I would be moving houses. I would be leaving my friends, moving to a new community and school district, and heading to a place I knew nothing about. I remember telling my friends that I wouldn’t be with them in middle school. I thought about the games we played together, the art we created, and the endless chitchat we shared. I didn’t want those cherished moments to be taken away.

On the right side of the painting, the girl’s eyes show distress—mirroring the emotions I felt during the moving process. Questions swirled in my mind: Would I make new friends? Would I be able to visit my old ones? The background on that side is more organized and vibrant, symbolizing the colorful and happy life I had with my childhood friends. Spending time with them was a big part of my life, and their presence brought me immense joy.

In the middle of the face, the girl’s eyes are wide with wonder. This represents the feelings I had once we fully moved—hopeful for new beginnings yet nostalgic for the people I left behind. The background on this side is more free-flowing, reflecting the less predictable life I now have. Though uncertain about what surprises lie ahead, I am excited to embrace them and create new experiences.

On the extreme left side, I’ve included a second face in profile, representing the future. The future is unknown, and its path isn’t clear. It’s a space of dreams and wonder, a place where you can only imagine what might happen as you journey through your own Pathways to Wonder.