“My work is based on an ongoing narrative about a fictitious being that travels to many planets and learns and grows from the experiences they encounter called the Deep Space Traveler.This time the Deep Space Traveler has landed on a Volcanic Planet with beings that have developed a resistance to the lava and toxic fumes. This particular story deals with one of the Lava Walkers on the planet who has evolved more than the others and is completely resistant to the lava but at what cost to their own self expression?

The story and paintings serve as a metaphor for when we hold trauma in. I’m a very introverted and sensitive person. Growing up, I often felt like my voice didn’t matter and I should not express what I think or feel. The abuse I went through also reaffirmed this idea that my perspective and feelings were wrong. I think in general we live in a society that takes issue with expressing trauma openly. This group of work explores many of the tough feelings and issues surrounding abuse but also one’s potential for growth and empowerment from expressing our feelings.”

-Santos Shelton