The Power of Art and Resilience

If you were to assume that the person in front of you has it all together, you'd be surprised to learn that it's so much more complicated than that. If there's one thing life has taught me, it's that appearances can be deceiving. Some of life's battles are invisible, like chronic pain and mental illness, which I've personally encountered.

Allow me to share a bit more about my story. Chronic pain has silently woven its way into my life, affecting both my physical and mental well-being. In my late 20s, I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a condition that impacts my entire body. Additionally, a routine dental procedure in 2019 led to nerve damage, leaving me with "burning mouth syndrome" as a constant companion. Chronic pain may be invisible, but its impact is profound and all-encompassing, often dominating my days.

I disclose these personal challenges because I firmly believe in dismantling the stigma associated with sharing our struggles. Society often champions a "good vibes only" mentality, but in reality, it's essential to acknowledge and address both physical pain and mental anguish. Every experience deserves to be seen and understood.

My hope is that by opening up about my own journey, it will not only offer support and encouragement to others but also foster a more compassionate and empathetic society. For me, art has become the ultimate lifeboat—a vessel that allows me to navigate life's storms, even when I'm hurting the most. It breathes purpose and meaning into my days, enabling me to live fully rather than simply letting life happen to me. Art has become my voice, my therapy, and my source of resilience.

My latest painting "Nevertheless She Persisted" is an homage to my journey to keep on creating, even on the days I am frustrated by chronic pain. 

Thanks for reading. 

Yours in paint,

Leah Nadeau