Issy
"Hell will always come before you grow. It was within fire that I found my flames!" ~ Kathryn McDonie
I was feeling frustrated, hopeless and wired with insomnia when I created this. When I look at it, the colours clash uncomfortably and repel each other, never staying still.
Inspired by a photographic portrait of the artist Kathryn McDonie, a true feminist, advocate and chronic illness warrior. There have been many moments in my life that I feel I wouldn't have survived without our friendship and I wanted to show how much I love her with this drawing.
"Hell will always come before you grow. It was within fire that I found my flames!" ~ Kathryn McDonie
The need to create art is something I have both repressed and embraced at different times in my life. When I was very young I drew pictures every day to express how I was feeling but as I got older I stopped wanting to engage with how I was feeling.
Living with Borderline Personality Disorder is a gift in one way but can also be very painful and challenging. My emotions can terrify and paralyse me at times. I am also diagnosed with Autism, ADHD and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, all of which present their own challenges and strengths in my life.
I have used art many times as an adult to process my emotions, often hiding pieces once I've finished them until I am able to look at them again months or years later. I use art to obsess and hyper-focus in a safe way, to reflect on my life and to remember who I am.
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