Light Pilots cultivates a new visual language by utilizing and rearranging representational symbols deeply rooted in my past. My dad was a Navy pilot, who was killed in action when I was 11 months old. The worst part of this tragedy was that my family chose not to talk about it. I carried this behavioral blueprint with me most of my life. As I learn and grow, I am documenting my process in hopes to normalize the discussion of grief. Our consciousnesses navigates our bodies through this experience, making all of us pilots. I remove the bodies of the pilots, leaving the shell to resemble our physical shells. This makes the paintings not about a specific person or pilot, but about the human experience. The light represents the positive lessons that come from within or externally. It is up to us to choose if we take those lessons on in order to grow and heal. By talking about my healing, I hope to encourage others to share their experiences and connect us all.