In Ingrained I celebrate characteristics that are integral to identity. The series arose when I was newly grieving my mother’s death. Though creativity was elusive at that time, the wood panels I work on revealed landscapes that guided me towards gratitude for our most beautiful, enduring qualities. We commonly use “ingrained” as a negative term, but a reflection on my upbringing and the support I received when mourning reminded me that affirming and uplifting values are deeply part of each of us. This series in encaustic and graphite is a love song to the nurturing of inherent goodness within.