"Raindrops Plead for Somewhere to Rest" is a visual journey rooted in my short story Heart of Lead, Bones of Glass, which follows the experiences of a porcelain doll who, over time, becomes convinced that she is human. Presented as a series of diary entries, the doll’s tale is one of introspection and transformation as she passes from one generation to the next, becoming a revered family heirloom while grappling with her identity.

The series takes inspiration from a pivotal passage in the story: “Raindrops streak across the window. They plead to the wind, hoping they will be carried somewhere to rest.” I have broken this quote into three distinct compositions, each capturing a different aspect of the doll’s emotional landscape. The raindrops symbolize her sense of longing, her desire to find rest and belonging in a world that often feels beyond her reach.

Through the medium of digital collage and photography, I’ve created a visual language that explores the fragility and confusion the doll experiences. The imagery of rain, windows, and ethereal textures evoke her vulnerability and delicate sense of self. Each composition is a moment frozen in time, reflecting her emotional state as she transitions from one place and one family to another, haunted by memories that are not entirely her own. The digital manipulation of the photographs enhances the sense of dislocation and fragility, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

The interplay between the fragmented text and the visual elements invites the viewer to consider the complexities of identity, memory, and time. Each image acts as a window into the doll’s world, where the boundaries between what she is and what she believes herself to be become increasingly blurred. This series seeks to provoke reflection on the nature of personal history, the passage of time, and the search for belonging in a constantly shifting world. By combining narrative, visual art, and emotion, Raindrops Plead for Somewhere to Rest becomes a meditation on the intricate layers of self-discovery and the fleeting nature of identity.