Troubled Heart

"Troubled Heart" came about when I had to step away from social media and the news cycle for awhile.

An overwhelming sense of anxiety, rage, powerlessness, and the full range of emotions that go with it have to find a safe release somehow. The ancient Greeks called it "catharsis".

Do you know the quivering feeling inside when those emotions rise up, when the chaos of the world becomes too loud? That's how I felt when painting this pastel.

It's important to stay informed of course, though it's not healthy to deny having these feelings either. It's okay to take a break, to recharge your batteries. It doesn't mean that you don't care or are not paying attention. 

We need to take care of ourselves, mentally and physically, so that we can be there for our loved ones and our communities. I encourage you to honor those feelings and release them in a safe manner.

This painting was the release I needed at the time, and is now ready to be that safe space for someone else.