It Feels Like Summer

"It Feels Like Summer” 60 x 48” Oil & Mixed Media on Canvas Weeda Hamdan   Artist Statement: Brené Brown's words, "When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending," resonates with my journey. Growing up in the shadow of war, I could have easily become defined by loss, trauma, and division. However, I chose a different path. Through painting, I found a powerful tool to help me cope and own my experiences while peeling through the layers of complexity. My story wasn't just about diaspora, loss, and pain BUT resilience, hope, and the indomitable human spirit. The war that was intended to separate us from each other became a bridge to a deeper human connection. Focusing on the simplest and "the common" sites found in nature reminds us that our most profound connections often occur in mundane settings common to all of us. Finding the uncommon in the common is also a way to realize the significance of ALL our stories, no matter how