This painting is deeply personal—created during one of the hardest seasons of my life as I navigated the challenges of motherhood and my son Everett’s autism diagnosis. At just three years old, his behaviors were peaking, and every day felt like an uphill battle. From being asked to leave two daycares to the daily struggles over simple tasks, I wanted this painting to depict both the chaos and the deep, unwavering love I have for my amazing boy. I also wanted this painting to resonate with viewers, as the beloved story by Maurice Sendak is a staple on every child’s bookshelf!
I poured weeks into refining the composition, making sure every element was JUST RIGHT. But above all, capturing his expression was the most important thing—it had to embody both the defiance of a boundary-pushing toddler and the innocence that makes childhood oh so sweet.
