In Times of Darkness speaks to the moments in life when clarity feels distant and we lose connection to our own sense of meaning, direction, or inner light. The outer forest is painted in greyscale, tangled and bare, representing those seasons where life can feel heavy, uncertain, or emotionally cold. The branches twist like thought patterns, memories, and fears that can obscure our perspective when we are struggling to see beyond them.

At the centre of the work, a vivid opening emerges. Two hands raise a radiant green light surrounded by sacred geometry, held within a living field of colour and growth. This inner world represents the part of us that remains untouched beneath confusion and suffering, what some may call the higher self, inner knowing, or deeper consciousness.

The contrast between the monochrome outer landscape and the vibrant centre reflects an important truth: even when we cannot feel connected to our own divinity, it has not disappeared. It remains present beneath the surface, quietly guiding us forward.

The Seed of Life woven through the composition symbolises the unseen intelligence and order that continues to exist even during periods of darkness. The small green leaf above the scene acts as a subtle reminder that life continues to emerge, even in environments that appear dormant.

This painting is ultimately about trust. Not blind optimism, but the understanding that there are parts of ourselves still working in our favour, even when we cannot fully see the path ahead. *In Times of Darkness* reminds the viewer that moments of disconnection are not the end of the journey; they are often the threshold to a deeper relationship with themselves.

With reverence,
Steph-Anise Leader