I used recycled labels from water bottles to create the background of my water post card. I then used watercolors to tie in the overarching message that water is both universal and integral to our every-day lives.

I come from a state where the water quality varies significantly from town to town. Growing up, I lived in a city with very clean water. There was never any problem cooking, showering, or drinking straight from the tap. It wasn’t until I moved one town over that I realized there was such a discrepancy in the standard for public water. I remember even living just one town over meant cooking with bottled water if you did not want a metallic taste in your mouth, constantly cleaning the sink when it gummed up from residue, and watering my plants with filtered water because the harsh tap water would cause them to wilt and die. I wish there was more uniformity between towns when it comes to water quality, so that everyone may have access to clean, decontaminated water. This is why I chose to decorate my postcard with labels from water bottles. It reminds me of the time in my life when unsullied water was hard to come by and reminds me of the importance of keeping our water clean and maintaining a standard quality to benefit the health and well-being of everyone affected.