Owen gathers confessions as inspiration for his paintings, making them singular and unique. Painting from the anonymous confession turns people’s trauma into art, giving trauma purpose and form rather than just pointless loss and harm. The first interaction Owen and Auburn have is in his studio surrounded by his work. She describes his art as “somehow sad and breathtaking and beautiful all at once” (25). Auburn connects with his art because it taps into her own trauma. The paintings transform the meaninglessness of people’s traumas into intentional beauty. Owen is moved by how much she seems to understand his work. They each have their own secrets that they don’t want to share as they get to know one another, so they speak instead about the confessions connected to the paintings instead. Owen describes this as “playing a game of hide-and-seek and the paintings are home base, apparently” (29). His art provides a way for them to explore their emotions.

Owen became a painter because of Auburn, although she doesn’t know that. He asked for Adam’s painting supplies when Lydia attempted to discard them at the hospital five years ago. He made his first painting for Adam, depicting Adam’s and Auburn’s love.