I made this Phoenix at the start of a new year, after a hard trip to Florida. My grandma passed, and I was there by her side. It was heavy, beautiful, painful, and grounding all at once.

Being back with family stirred up a lot. Not everyone has the tools for processing grief, communicating clearly, or holding space when things get intense. I felt myself moving through exhaustion, frustration, love, and clarity all at the same time.

This piece came out of that fire.

The Phoenix is not about destruction. It is about choosing what you carry forward. Letting the rest burn. Taking what is true, what is loving, what still has heat, and using it to begin again.

New year. New intention. Same heart, stronger edges.

This piece is for anyone going through it. For anyone starting over. For anyone stepping into a new chapter, even if they didn’t ask for the ending that came before.

Welcome to your Phoenix era.

Be the fire chicken.

14” x 21” x 1”

Baltic Birch; Acrylic Paint

Original design and copyright by © shadowfox