For Patricia Qualls, the act of painting is a vital response to the world’s weight. While many of her works confront external crises—from global conflict to the erosion of civil rights—Cultivating Joy was born from an internal necessity: the need to find hope during a period of personal anxiety caused by current events.

On the day Qualls began this piece, she inscribed the back of the canvas with a series of questions: “So many secrets, so much covering up, lying, and cruelty. How do we raise our kids, how will we take care of our families, and how will we help them be healthy to go out into the world?” This painting became her resistance piece—a refusal to let sorrow and worry take root. It stands for what really matters: the restoration of the soul through joy and love. It is a reminder to hold those near and dear close within a "loving circle" that cannot be breached by outside forces. In this vibrant space, Qualls asserts that joy, goodness, grace, and consciousness will prevail.