In my series Spiraling Upwards, I incorporate recycled cardboard and mixed media into my encaustic work, exploring the transformative power of joy. Inspired by research on positive emotions, I reflect on how even brief moments of joy can create an upward spiral, fostering more happiness and resilience over time.

This series embraces movement, texture, and renewal—turning discarded materials into layered, luminous compositions that celebrate optimism and possibility. By working with encaustic, a medium shaped by fire and transformation, I aim to capture the energy of joy as a force that uplifts and sustains us. After all, who doesn’t want more of that in their life?