Well, painting is the one thing I do, that is just me. It's me and easels, and the pencils. And as long as I don't drool too much over the canvas, the colors come out pretty good. And it's a chance to express all that I've got inside, that I sometimes keep hidden. And I think that's why I paint big broad, wide open landscapes.

The quote by Joni Eareckson Tada reflects the deeply personal and therapeutic role that painting plays in her life. She describes it as the one activity that is purely hers, where she can express herself freely through easels and pencils. Tada highlights the creative process as a chance to release the emotions and thoughts she may otherwise keep hidden. Through painting, she can channel her internal experiences into something tangible, using the act of creating as a form of self-expression and emotional release.

Tada’s statement also sheds light on her choice of painting big, broad, wide open landscapes. She explains that the expansive nature of these landscapes reflects her desire to capture a sense of freedom and vastness, mirroring the depth of her emotions and inner world. The openness of the landscapes can be seen as a metaphor for her own longing for personal expression and the space to explore her identity without constraint.

The origin of this quote comes from Joni Eareckson Tada, a well-known artist, author, and activist who has been a quadriplegic since a diving accident in 1967. Despite her physical limitations, Tada found painting to be a way to maintain her sense of creativity and self-identity. Her ability to paint, even while in a wheelchair, reflects her resilience and determination to express herself artistically, no matter the challenges she faces.

Ultimately, Tada’s quote emphasizes the power of art as a means of personal expression and emotional release. For her, painting is not just a hobby but an essential tool for understanding and sharing what’s inside, offering a sense of freedom and fulfillment. Her love for painting large landscapes speaks to the expansive nature of her inner world and her need to express that in the most open and unrestricted way possible.