Let’s get real - A deeper dive into my latest mural

Let’s Get Real - In this article I dive deeper into my latest mural at Daniel Boone Coffee shop and for the first time ever, give you an inside look into the emotions and stories that work to bring my creative process to life.

Plus, find out where I’m headed this winter and how you can follow along the adventure!

December 2025

I frequent Daniel Boone Coffee Shop — a perfect balance of work, play, and rest. Tourists, locals, hikers, and climbers gather here to share coffee and treats, to connect or retreat, to work or unwind, and to play or simply be still. Community spaces like this spark inspiration, and having it nestled within the ultimate third space of Red River Gorge feels worth celebrating. So when the managers and staff invited me to create a new mural, I knew it would be my chance to honor that special place.

I started out with 3 main goals. Goal #1: Celebrate the space. I called to mind the fun little critters that I find repetitively in my artwork. Their little expressions and emotions bring this sense of joy and relatability. They’re perfect.

Goal #2: Enhance accessibility. Before starting this mural, I realized that not everyone has a cellphone or social media—some are too young or can’t afford the latest technology. Additionally, not everyone is in a position to spend money. While my artwork is available at places like the Earth Shop, I wanted to reach a broader audience. This mural aims to create an engaging piece of art that is freely accessible to all ages and demographics, requiring no phones or money. Artwork deserves to be seen by everyone.

Goal #3: To incorporate an image of Daniel Boone letting everyone know there’s seating outside, as requested by the Coffee Shop owners.

Let’s make it happen:

As I worked, I began uncovering parts of myself. Discovering more about what makes me - Me!

I’ve been attending therapy over the last year. I’m not depressed or severely anxious, rather I needed help navigating confusing thoughts and feelings associated with past experiences both inside and outside of PTSD. I needed help finding out how I can fix the relationship I have with myself.

My therapist lead me through several hour-long exercises to dive deeper and to peel back the layers of the sum of my parts. She says the tactic is called “Internal Family Systems”

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy views the mind as naturally composed of multiple "parts," like a family, led by a core "Self," which is a source of wisdom, calm, and compassion; it helps individuals understand and heal these parts (Managers, Firefighters, Exiles) by fostering a relationship between the Self and the parts, ultimately leading to greater inner harmony and integration rather than eliminating parts. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS is a popular, non-pathologizing therapy that treats these inner voices and feelings not as disorders but as parts with positive intentions, helping them release extreme roles caused by past experiences or trauma.

My visual, creative brain happens to LOVE this tactic, requiring creative thinking and a lot of visualization. I began associating feelings with animals. In one session, we discovered that my indecision looks like a duck. He’s very cute. And when I find myself struggling to make a decision, my duck is being yanked back and forth in a pond and eventually gets injured if I push too hard. I learned how to tune into my duck and to ask him what he needs of me and find out what I can do to keep him from getting injured again. Not long after, this little duck began seeping into my doodles. Let’s find out more about the critters that are in the Daniel Boone Mural:

Introducing: My Parts

My little munching mouse friend is my stomach. He needs nourishment. When I ignore him, I become shakey and weak. So I make sure that my mouse is fueled right so that he doesn’t have to worry about having low energy.

Munching Mouse

Millipedes are simple, harmless creatures. And this millipede is my parts that feel left or feel judgement. Not all creepy things with legs are bad - rather misunderstood. I know that millipedes are cute. But not everyone likes millipedes. And that’s okay!

Humble Millipede

This high-strung fellow is the parts of me that feel heightened anxiety (sometimes caffeine induced). This little guy races around my brain, ping ponging back and forth, causing heart palpitations. When I take a deep breath, I can tune into this part and meet him right where he’s at before winding him down.

Caffeinated Raccoon

I included other fun critters in the mural that were also representing some of the friendly staff at Daniel Boone Coffee Shop. I’m grateful to have had this mural to explore and deepen the connection with my parts along with the bonding I experienced with this lovely staff. Let’s explore more in the gallery below:

Where am I headed Next?

I’m so happy you asked!

I’m taking a break from Kentucky this winter and spending the rest of December in Sacramento, California. Here I will be escaping the snow and enjoying some rock climbing alongside my regular travel sketching and exploring.

Next I’m headed to Costa Rica for the month of January. Here I plan to experience the lush green and vibrant jungle that the tropical country has to offer. I’m so excited to see what my artwork will look like while I spend time here! And I’m thrilled to take you along with me for the ride.