07/07/2026
This piece is called “Freedom.”
I worked on it for the 250th anniversary of America and offered this short explanation: Happy 250 Years of the Experiment for The People and By The People.
This art is about an uncaged bird. The impetus for it was writer Maya Angelou’s poem, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
“Freedom” is an interlocutor for me: a conversation I am having with life beyond me and, also, by drawing inspiration from Angelou’s experience of America, a dialogue that bridges the past to today.
A 1969 autobiography, Angelou’s poem is a revelatory tracing of the early years of her life. It’s a reminder of how the younger years of people’s lives are formidable in defining how they see themselves and the world around them.
Growing into adulthood is a recurring theme in lots of artists’ works. Also, nature is a recurring theme in my artwork which I began developing (drawing on my iPhone) while facing extraordinary health challenges. I focus on creating art that is boldly colorful, unique and often thematic while also attempting to “plant” some beauty and positivity in the world. Much of my art includes flowers — among my favorite things in the world.
In Angelou’s case, her poem shows how strength and literature helped her overcome racism and trauma. The final passage reads:
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Our lives and how we spend them are a mirror to ourselves and a window to others of what it means to be on this earth and leave a mark. Art is truly honed visual storytelling … it’s just another way of speaking to people that may or may not involve words and language.
“Freedom” is available via my artbydzm.com website and comes in different media: canvas, metal and framed prints. Here are links to them and the cost. All of the prices include free shipping in the U.S.
https://artbydzm.com/product/freedom-floating-frame-canvas-print/
https://artbydzm.com/product/freedom-metal-print/
https://artbydzm.com/product/freedom-walnut-frame/
At different times, we are all like birds. We soar, we travel, we seek sustenance, our wings may be clipped, we take refuge in Mother Nature, we find mates, we nest, we are parts of communities, and one day our physical selves cease to exist but I believe our souls and legacies live on.
In all of this, humans remain rooted to the idea — and especially in the United States — that freedom is a right … yet also a gift that some people do not have. I envision this bird forever symbolizing the power of freedom and hope.