"World of Wonder" was created in an effort to capture my daughter's vivid imagination and love for reading. My hope was for the painting to appear welcoming and vibrant, with just a touch of the dark and the dangerous. The circular composition and variety of colors and textures were all intentional aspects of the design. I included a dragon and a cicada, as 2024 was the year of both these creatures. On a personal note – I worked on this painting during one of the most tumultuous times in my life. I found that keeping it light and whimsical was crucial in managing my mental health and keeping me excited about painting, especially on the really hard days.