Ms. Understood

I created Misunderstood to capture a moment in my life when I was deeply depressed. During that time, I would sit in the corner of my bedroom, staring at the clothes scattered across the floor, wondering how my life had come to this. I couldn’t understand how I had gotten there, and when people tried to help me, I didn’t even know what to ask for. 

I felt constantly misunderstood—even by those who had good intentions. At the same time, I was misunderstanding everything around me: my situation, the people in my life, the path forward, and even the wisdom God was trying to show me. Ultimately, I realized I was misunderstanding myself.

The swirling background is meant to convey confusion, almost like motion sickness, while the dark colors represent sadness and emotional heaviness. The figure wears a bonnet to show that she hasn’t left her bedroom, symbolizing a space of isolation but also familiarity and comfort. She is dressed in an oversized, chunky blue sweatshirt—my father’s sweater—which I used to wear for comfort during my lowest moments.

At that time, my room was often messy, I hadn’t done my hair in weeks, and I rarely took care of myself. This painting captures that exact moment. I created it to remember where I once was—and to be grateful that I am no longer living in that place of depression.

24"x48" | Acrylic and Water Soluble Crayon | September 2025