They are all around me, invading my personal space. Why are they all the same while I am so different? My creator, or the universe made me this way to look different and to be different. I am not trying to upset anyone, but I need to be me. These could be the thoughts of a paper orange airplane in the painting.

Now, consider the thoughts of someone who feels they don’t fit in. This painting is more than just paper airplanes; it’s about loving who you are. Everyone needs to be accepted by someone; that’s part of being human.

It’s also about pack mentality. If you act and look like the pack, you work better together and survive. Yet, we all hide our personal differences from each other so we can fit in. When we see someone who bothers us, it’s not their problem, but ours. They have pushed us beyond our comfort zone.

In the painting, the orange airplane reflects its color onto the planes next to it. That’s how acceptance begins; we start to absorb or reflect what is different in others.

Be who you are.

Inspiration for this painting:

This painting was inspired by the singer and songwriter Pink, who performs songs about accepting ourselves and others. “If you ever, ever feel like you’re nothing, you are fuckin’ perfect to me.”

The person that we are, is enough.

Your part in this is to enjoy the finished work; in your home, in your office, wherever you think it would look stunning, because it will. The next part is up to you.