Pallet & Paintbrush (Shield & Sword) by Valerie Parente

Art isn’t just a hobby,
it’s survival.
I don’t get hurt,
I get inspired.

Everyone has their own battle
but mine has imagery
when you say draw your weapon
I take it literally.

Creation is how I cope
because life isn’t always fair
and making sense of that truth
is my form of warfare.

Nobody makes it out of life
without battle scars
so we might as well
turn them into art.

My body won’t come with me
when I’m done with this world
but I will leave my mark
through a body of work.

– Valerie Parente (11-6-2026)