TERESA W ZUCKER

Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around the artistic endeavors shared

with my parents and the connection and passion that art offered us. My parents were

self-taught creatives who instilled in me, their very willing student, a love of art through

painting, sewing and other mediums. My mother, a concentration camp survivor, was

deeply connected to creativity as a means of healing her traumas. Her example of

resilience through art was a profound teaching that I treasure every day.

My love for all things creative was set aside mostly, for many years as I raised a family

and fulfilled other obligations. But in the wake of the sudden tragic loss of my partner in

2016, I sought solace in my sketchpad. Grief found its voice on paper, paving a path

toward healing and a renewed desire to create.

Over the past few years, I have welcomed a daily practice of mindfulness , painting and

and felting; they provide avenues for self-expression that feel like home. Through my art,

particularly my collection of "Little Friends," I aim to share messages of hope, resilience

and connection. In this space of exploration and growth, I finally feel as though I have

found my place.