Resilience is relative.
a collection by Mary Sandell
What one person, generation or society considers to be admirably resilient,
another may find irrelevant or even pathetic. I see resilience in many places.
Some of my personally selected symbols are included in this collection, which is
created with a mixture of media including digital photography, watercolor, acrylic
ink, and oil, on paper. The vintage book paper backgrounds come from “The
New Dictionary of Thoughts,” published by the Standard Book Company in 1964
and purchased for one dollar in 2024 at a thrift shop in Aberdeen, North
Carolina, USA. The book itself is a symbol of the resilience of knowledge and
curiosity. It was first printed in 1852 and versions of it are published today.
Women.
Some scientists say that women are resilient because of their higher levels of estradiol, an estrogen hormone. Others say their relatively larger exposure to violence and threat make them more resilient. And yet others say the community women build to support each other increases their tenacity. Regardless, I believe women to be at the top of the list of animals that embody resilience, and I proudly put my daughters at the top of that list.
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Watercolor and acrylics on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
The Immortal Jellyfish.
If starved, threatened, or injured, the adult Turritopsis dohrnii, aka the immortal jellyfish, descends to the bottom of the ocean floor and transforms into an embryonic cyst before growing into a polyp on its way to becoming an adult medusa again. This jellyfish has mastered transdifferentiation, the conversion of one type of cell to another. This is a field stem cell research is trying to explore in humanity’s never-ending search for eternal life. The quest to be young forever, is the subject of beauty potions, health care fads, medical fads as well as storytelling from Greek mythology to modern movies like “Death Becomes Her.”
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Acrylic inks on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
The dandelion.
The dandelion is a symbol of hope, healing, and resilience in many cultures. It endures excessive sun and shade, floods and drought. It finds a way to emerge through sand, concrete and asphalt. The dandelion has seen all environments and manages to adapt and endure. Dandelions are often used as a symbol for resilient people, especially women. There are hundreds of non-profit organizations using the name Dandelion. I find it curious that the book used as a back page for this painting dedicated only one paragraph to the topic in 1964, more than half a century ago, and wonder what it would dedicate today.
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Acrylics on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
Language.
Some historians say that language, or some form of organized communication has existed for about 1.8 million years. In the 1700s, a boastful person might have been called a Cockalorum. Today, we may call them an influencer. Each word was understood perfectly in its time. Language stays the course, constantly adapting to reflect the societies using it to communicate and connect. Watercolor on vintage book paper. Digital copy. The scarab beetle. A symbol of birth, life, death, and resurrection. The first known Egyptian scarab amulets appeared during the 6th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom period (2649-2150 BC). The scarabs, representing rejuvenation, life after death and general good luck can be found throughout ancient jewelry, in graves, and on currency.
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Watercolor and gouache on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
The scarab beetle.
A symbol of birth, life, death, and resurrection. The first known Egyptian scarab amulets appeared during the 6th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom period (2649-2150 BC). The scarabs, representing rejuvenation, life after death and general good luck can be found throughout ancient jewelry, in graves, and on currency.
![]()
Watercolor and gouache on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
The pine cone.
The pine cone is commonly linked with virtue and long life, even immortality. The pine tree is iconic in many cultures as a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and a fruitful future. Pine trees are survivors. The Bristlecone pine trees, for example, have been known to live more than 5,000 years. Pine trees can help improve our climate challenge by removing carbon monoxide from the atmosphere.
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Watercolor on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
Women.
Some scientists say that women are resilient because of their higher levels of estradiol, an estrogen hormone. Others say their relatively larger exposure to violence and threat make them more resilient. And yet others say the community women build to support each other increases their tenacity. Regardless, I believe women to be at the top of the list of animals that embody resilience, and I proudly put my daughters at the top of that list.
Watercolor and acrylics on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
The Immortal Jellyfish.
If starved, threatened, or injured, the adult Turritopsis dohrnii, aka the immortal jellyfish, descends to the bottom of the ocean floor and transforms into an embryonic cyst before growing into a polyp on its way to becoming an adult medusa again. This jellyfish has mastered transdifferentiation, the conversion of one type of cell to another. This is a field stem cell research is trying to explore in humanity’s never-ending search for eternal life. The quest to be young forever, is the subject of beauty potions, health care fads, medical fads as well as storytelling from Greek mythology to modern movies like “Death Becomes Her.”
Acrylic inks on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
The dandelion.
The dandelion is a symbol of hope, healing, and resilience in many cultures. It endures excessive sun and shade, floods and drought. It finds a way to emerge through sand, concrete and asphalt. The dandelion has seen all environments and manages to adapt and endure. Dandelions are often used as a symbol for resilient people, especially women. There are hundreds of non-profit organizations using the name Dandelion. I find it curious that the book used as a back page for this painting dedicated only one paragraph to the topic in 1964, more than half a century ago, and wonder what it would dedicate today.
Acrylics on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
Language.
Some historians say that language, or some form of organized communication has existed for about 1.8 million years. In the 1700s, a boastful person might have been called a Cockalorum. Today, we may call them an influencer. Each word was understood perfectly in its time. Language stays the course, constantly adapting to reflect the societies using it to communicate and connect. Watercolor on vintage book paper. Digital copy. The scarab beetle. A symbol of birth, life, death, and resurrection. The first known Egyptian scarab amulets appeared during the 6th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom period (2649-2150 BC). The scarabs, representing rejuvenation, life after death and general good luck can be found throughout ancient jewelry, in graves, and on currency.
Watercolor and gouache on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
The scarab beetle.
A symbol of birth, life, death, and resurrection. The first known Egyptian scarab amulets appeared during the 6th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom period (2649-2150 BC). The scarabs, representing rejuvenation, life after death and general good luck can be found throughout ancient jewelry, in graves, and on currency.
Watercolor and gouache on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
The pine cone.
The pine cone is commonly linked with virtue and long life, even immortality. The pine tree is iconic in many cultures as a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and a fruitful future. Pine trees are survivors. The Bristlecone pine trees, for example, have been known to live more than 5,000 years. Pine trees can help improve our climate challenge by removing carbon monoxide from the atmosphere.
Watercolor on vintage book paper. Digital copy.
