“It’s Always Cold When You’re Away” was first completed in 2020 at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. As spring was just waking up and we found ourselves newly distanced from our loved ones I aimed to create a painting that conveyed warmth and happiness even though life at that point was feeling anything but. This painting sold shortly after it was completed and lived for the last 5 years with collectors in a beautiful home.

Fast forward to 2025…I recently reacquired the piece and just as when this painting was first created, we seem to once again find ourselves wading through troubling times. This year, the word ‘joy’ has inspired my paintings and though I loved this piece in it's original form I also wanted it to reflect the passage of time, improved skills and further interpret the theme of joy with the addition of bright new colors and shapes.