Below is the story of this painting narrated by Kami Mendlik:

"This 12x12 is the study for what later ended up to be a larger studio painting called “Into the Silver Lining” and THEN ended up on the cover of my book! I never dreamt at the time on that quiet January dusky evening while I was standing high up on the native prairie fields that this piece would end up as a great joy and inspiration for me, and also an image so many would come to recognize as the book cover of my book. What I haven’t shared until now is the story of how this painting came to be. The inspiration for the piece came at the most difficult and uninspired time in my life. You see, just two months earlier, before finding myself staring into what I now call ‘into the silver lining’, my 38 year old sister Tori was killed in a car accident. I know many of you have also grieved the loss of losing someone out of natural order, and as I’m sure you can imagine, painting seemed impossible. Honestly eating seemed impossible. (I’m making up for that part now! Ha). Ok but back to then… I am sharing this with you in complete vulnerability in case, just in case, by chance my truth and story might bring comfort or inspiration to you when or if you are needing it - to share the truth, which for me is absolutely what my art is about. I was out walking for the first time since the accident in my usual state park and was stopped right here staring through the grasses and into the horizon when I had the sensation of a warm blanket around my backside and over my shoulders, and a subtle whisper of a thought that said “Into the Silver Lining You go….” I now know why it’s taken me so long to share this, I can still feel that emotion moment, but I believe this is part of healing…. I went back to the studio and painted with absolute clarity, NO fear, complete certainty that what happened was Divine and it was the only thing I was meant to do right then. The painting came through me as if I didn’t even paint it. I can see much more clearly now that this painting indeed has spirit and is filled with not only light, but Truth. 🌟 🌈 sending you love and light!"