Hearts began during the early days of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, while I was under a stay-at-home order in St. Louis. Like many, I found the uncertainty overwhelming, but I was also struck by countless stories of people expressing love and support in inventive, heartfelt ways despite physical distance. This outpouring of compassion inspired me to step away from my usual portrait subjects and create a five-foot composition of vibrant hearts.
Completed after 32 days in lockdown, the painting is filled with overlapping, vividly colored hearts. It serves both as a response to the fear and isolation of the time and as a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of healthcare workers everywhere. During its original release, I donated 100 percent of the painting’s print proceeds to support those on the medical frontlines, reflecting the artwork’s true spirit of gratitude and solidarity. Hearts continues to resonate as a visual reminder of how love, empathy, and creativity carried people through one of the most challenging moments in recent history.
