Paint the Pain

All my life I have been trying to push away the pain, numb the pain, ease the pain, hating the pain.
Not really taking the time to know the pain. I painted about things that gave me pain and at times the pain leaked through and made its way onto canvas, and it was in those moments the painting really mattered and made sense. I painted to erase pain, painting illusions designed to distract and delight, Ignoring the pain and not letting it be. Pretty pictures mean nothing unless the true heart and soul has been given liberty to express, by allowing the darker emotions, giving image to those got wrenching feelings, accepting, acknowledging, embracing pain for what it is, a healthier dynamic begins. Pain is real, always there, some residue of ancient past or fear of what’s to come or not to come. I am learning to see it, love it and allow it, by giving it permission to be it is diminished and more room created for Love. Pain squeezes the heart, but with Art it’s grip softens, becoming a caress. ❤️
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