"Speak Your Truth. Always - Map Series # 19" original acrylic painting by Bend, Oregon Artist, MaryLea Harris.

48" x 60" Acrylic on Canvas

This is part of my Map Series. My abstract maps are meant to explore our relationships between physical place, connection, belonging, and our collective personal journeys. I'm exploring color, texture, and line. I'm focusing on the interplay of "positive" and "negative" space as I reflect on my own positive and negative growth experiences from the past fee years. The cracks are how the light gets in and I'm using these maps as a form of art therapy to explore living more simply while celebrating nature, color, texture, and line.

This particular map was painted in the days leading up to the most recent Presidential election while I was filled with optimism and excitement for my daughters and the generations of women that came before me, to see our first woman President elected. I finished this map on election night, heartbroken, angry and numb. I turned off the television as the election results began coming in; filling a televised map with red and my own heart with hurt. I escaped to my studio to paint and sort through my feelings. I cried. My tears are in this painting.

Please do not numb out. Now is the time to speak up for those who do not have a voice. Speaking the truth, and speaking up for others can be scary but silence is more frightening. We must speak our truth and defy the ignorant voice in the White House. He is NOT my President. He does not stand for what I believe in. I believe in human rights. I believe in climate science. I am a citizen of the planet. I believe the WORLD needs more LOVE, LIGHT, and TRUTH right now. Do not accept alternative facts. Do not give in.

"Resist and speak your TRUTH. Most people, especially ignorant people want to punish you for speaking the truth, for being correct, for being you. Never apologize for being correct or for speaking years ahead of your time. If you're right and you know it, speak your mind. Speak your mind even if you are a minority of one. The truth is still the truth."

- MAHATMA GANDHI