"Don't Let Them Know"

Artist Statement:

Suffering constant, unrelenting pain I found myself trying to protect my family by hiding the pain. My daughters, 4 and 8 at the time, were aware of my disabling pain but I wanted so much to be a normal mom. I never wanted them to feel the burden of my condition. My older daughter particularly worried about me and I could see the effects of my condition on her behavior. The daily struggle to shield the girls inspired this piece. In the collage I included phrases, in the form of magazine clippings, as well as packaging from the plethora of medications I was prescribed to portray the mix of emotions and thought.