A Northwest Arkansas pilot delivered an uplifting message this week through the art of aviation.
Benjamin McDaniel, a self-described pilot and artist, used his flight path to write "You are loved" across the skies of the region on Wednesday. The intricate design also included a large fingerprint accompanying the phrase.
McDaniel departed from Bentonville Municipal Airport and spent over five hours in the air completing the design, which extended over parts of western Washington County.
On Instagram, where McDaniel shares many of his aerial creations under the handle @thepilotpicasso, he paired the image with a reminder: "Call your family and friends to tell them you love them," and included the number for the U.S. Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
The gesture comes during National Suicide Prevention Month, observed each September to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. McDaniel, known for his sky artwork that has included depictions of the Mona Lisa, Spider-Man, and school logos, used the platform to inspire connection and hope.
The visible message soaring above Northwest Arkansas sparked a wave of reactions and added a poignant element during a month dedicated to mental health advocacy.