This work began as a sunset. I wanted to express transparency, light, and movement. But as I layered paint, my mood shifted. Living with anxiety, depression, and CPTSD, I often feel disconnected from joy—like I’m viewing life through a rain-streaked window. This painting became a metaphor for that emotional filter. The light is there, but distorted. This piece reflects the internal struggle of living behind a mask, where even beauty feels unreachable.