Sometimes I think of this collection's name as a statement, and other times as a question. What ties all these pieces and places together is my deep joy amidst their landscapes, alongside my struggle to embrace happiness in their presence.

For the past few years I lived in Southern California. It was a place I once thought would be my "forever home." The town I lived in is a spot where vacationers flock to enjoy weeks by the shore, with consistently beautiful weather and countless fun activities all in one spot. Though I always found it beautiful, I never quite felt at home there; something felt missing, though I couldn't pinpoint what.

Living in a place that didn't quite fit wasn't necessarily a problem initially, but not loving a place so many adored made me question if I would ever find true happiness anywhere. Perhaps the issue lay with me. The lyrics from O.A.R.'s song "Black Rock" echo in my mind: "You can run just as fast as you want to, but you’re stuck with yourself all the time."

Despite this, my series celebrates the beauty and joy that surrounds us, even when we're not yet where we're meant to be. Each painting in this series marks a moment in my gouache journey—watercolor's vibrant, opaque cousin—which I had been exploring for several months before I'd begun painting these. I adore gouache for its intense pigments and the ability to add luminous white details at the end.

What I love about this series is how each piece captures a specific moment when the light was just perfect, drawing you into that singular time and place.