Nevertheless She Persisted II

Size: 24 x 30 x 1.5 inches, acrylic on canvas. The sides are painted black, so a frame is optional.  

Inspiration: If you were to assume the person in front of you has it all together, you might be surprised—it’s rarely that simple. Some disabilities aren’t visible, like chronic pain and mental illness. I know this firsthand.

I talk openly about my mental health struggles, but I rarely mention my experience with chronic pain. It’s taken two major forms in my life. In my late 20s, I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder that affects my entire body. Then, in 2019, a routine dental procedure caused nerve damage, leading to “burning mouth syndrome”—something I’ve lived with every day since. Chronic pain may be invisible, but it’s relentless. Some days, it consumes everything.

I’m sharing this because there’s so much stigma around speaking about our struggles. “Good vibes only,” right? But here’s the thing—I hate stigma. Pain, whether physical or mental, deserves to be acknowledged. You deserve to be seen. I hope that by being open, I can help break that cycle. Maybe it encourages you to seek help, learn something new, or simply be more aware of what others go through. Awareness leads to compassion.

Art is my lifeline. It keeps me from being swallowed by pain. It gives me something to hold onto, something that carries me through the hardest days. I don’t know where I’d be without it. When I’m not in pain, I thrive because of it. And for that, I am endlessly grateful.

Shipping: The cost of shipping is included in the price unless you're international. International shipping is calculated at checkout. 

Each painting is carefully packed to ensure its safe arrival and insured for the valued amount. All paintings come ready to hang on your wall unless otherwise noted, signed on the front, dated on the back, and come with a certificate of authenticity for your records.