Nevertheless, She Persisted

Be inspired every day by this one-of-a-kind, vibrant acrylic painting! It stands 24 inches tall and 12" wide with its vibrant and bold hues that will brighten up any room. Add a special touch of individuality to your home (or office!) with this unique piece of artwork.

Inspiration: 

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. After all, some disabilities are invisible, like chronic pain and mental illness. I’ve encountered both.

I speak frequently about my struggles with mental health, but I don't talk about my experience with chronic pain nearly as often. Chronic pain can come in many forms, but for me, it's affected me in two main areas. I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) in my late 20s, which affects my entire body. Then, in 2019, a routine dental procedure caused nerve damage and “burning mouth syndrome” from which I’ve suffered every day since. Chronic pain may be invisible, but it’s very powerful. Some days, it's all consuming.

I share this because there is stigma around sharing our struggles. Good vibes only, right? 🤦‍♀️ In reality? I don't like stigma. Whether it's physical pain or mental anguish, it deserves to be talked about. You deserve to be seen. My hope is that by being open about my own struggles, it will help others. Maybe it will encourage you to seek help, to educate yourself, or even to become more aware of the struggles others experience. All of this leads to more compassion.

Art is my lifeboat. With art, I can live my life instead of letting it happen to me. It carries me through my day when I am hurting. I don’t know what I would do without it. I can thank art for being able to thrive when I’m not in pain. 

 Shipping: free in the US. This work comes signed on the front, and comes with a certificate of authenticity for your records.