Helen Frankenthaler, "Mountains and Sea," 1952. Oil and charcoal on canvas. © Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. 

Helen Frankenthaler’s *Mountains and Sea* is a beautiful painting that makes us think about how people experience the world in different ways. The painting uses soft, flowing colors that blend together, showing how our senses and minds can react to the world around us in unique and personal ways.

Just like Frankenthaler’s painting lets colors mix and spread naturally, people’s brains process sounds and sensations differently. Some people need quiet to focus, while others feel more alert and engaged in a busy, noisy environment. This isn’t about one way being better than another—it’s about recognizing that everyone’s brain works in its own special way.

The painting challenges the idea that there’s one “perfect” way to experience sound or the world. Instead, it shows that what feels right or comfortable is different for each person. This can depend on things like culture, how our senses work, and even our personal experiences. People who have often been overlooked already know this: there’s no single way to experience life.

*Mountains and Sea* becomes a celebration of these differences. It reminds us that the way we see, hear, and feel the world is deeply personal—and that’s something to appreciate. Frankenthaler’s work encourages us to embrace the beauty of how diverse our minds and senses truly are.