This is the very first painting of The Hope Series. Created in 2012 after a sunlit trip to river with friends, the work marks the beginning of a long exploration of light, sky, and human openness.
The composition features the first raised hands reaching upward toward a tender blue sky. The gesture is simple yet powerful — a movement of trust, aspiration, and inner strength.
Looking at the painting today, years later, I still feel deeply moved by its optimism and clarity. Despite the time that has passed, the work continues to carry a sense of hope and quiet determination that remains central to the entire series.
