Here is a painting and the concept study for a "mental health" themed piece. This piece has a number of elements in it that for me help to illustrate how one may feel at a low point in a personal struggle. I titled this one "Tinnitus". The figure in the drawing is feeling helpless which is evident with their fetal posture. The broken glass represents the shattered hope that often accompanies a struggle with tinnitus, and also vertigo, which often accompanies tinnitus. The enlarged ear is representative of the heightened sensitivity to the noises in your inner ear that the central nervous system amplifies when a person is under constant stress. The suggestion of a brain image also is representative of how tinnitus has to do with our brains interpretation of our inner well being. I've heard about other people's personal struggles with tinnitus where it's ringing so loud that they can't hear their phone ring. When one first experiences it, a feeling of anxiety can envelope you as you are not sure what is going on. Over time and research we learn that the main focus with tinnitus is to get the parasympathetic nervous system relaxed which takes focus and practice. There are times it can be very quiet but at other times it can spike depending on the level of stress you are experiencing.

 

This piece won the First Place Award at the Ontario Shores ‘Celebrating a Century of Care"‘ Juried Art Show. Juror’s comment: "A marvellous high realist masterpiece with a unique composition and wonderfully placed figurative element combined with shattered graphic dissonance that masterfully illustrates the chosen theme."

 

Dimensions: 18” x 24”

Medium: Acrylic on Masonite

 

Pencil Study
Dimensions: 7.25" x 10.75"

Medium: Pencil on Yupo Paper