Through the Eyes of Innocence

At the center of Through the Eyes of Innocence is a black cat named Shadow, a reflection of a part of Michelle Krasowski’s identity she had long struggled to fully understand. Shadow once belonged to Michelle and her former partner. But their connection went deeper than just having a pet, Shadow symbolized how Michelle saw herself during that time. Black cats are often misunderstood and tied to superstition and bad luck, and for Michelle, Shadow became a mirror of her feelings of being judged unfairly and emotionally isolated.

Eventually, Shadow had to be given away because of her partner’s allergies. At first, it felt like a small heartbreak, but looking back, it marked the beginning of a deeper emotional unraveling. Letting go of Shadow echoed how Michelle herself felt pushed aside, a quiet foreshadowing of the emotional distance that would soon take hold in the relationship.

Not long after, her partner brought home a new pet, an albino Burmese python named Natas, even though he had claimed allergies were the reason Shadow had to leave. No one questioned the contradiction. But it became clear when the snake bit Michelle, leaving both a physical wound and an emotional one. In the painting, the snake is wrapped tightly around the figure’s neck, representing the betrayal, control, and emotional weight that defined the end of that relationship.

Both Shadow and Natas came to represent more than just pets, they became symbols of connection, loss, and imbalance. In this painting, Michelle uses her personal story to express themes of vulnerability and emotional survival. Through the Eyes of Innocence invites viewers to reflect on what it feels like to be misunderstood, unseen, or quietly hurt, and reminds us that even the most painful experiences can be turned into something meaningful through art.