She Thought She Was Broken, But She Was Blooming (Female)

A detailed print of my original painting titled ‘She Thought She Was Broken, But She Was Blooming’.

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. Every year I like to create a special painting on this day. Mental Health Awareness is extremely important to me, and I am passionate about helping anyone who struggles with mental health to feel seen and understood. In this painting you see a woman with her knees curled to her chest. Rain pours on her, and Kintsugi ("golden joinery") covers her dress. Flowers grow out her head, her head that she often feels is broken beyond repair. Learning about Kintsugi has helped me to reframe my mental illness. Instead of ‘what is wrong with me’ or ‘why am I so messed up’, I have begun to say ‘this is what makes me special’ and ‘my mental health struggles have made me compassionate to others, and have helped me grow into something beautiful.’

To anyone struggling with mental health I wish I could say, you are a beautiful masterpiece just as you are. Your brokenness is a part of what makes up your beautiful soul. You are not alone. You are blooming, though you may not feel like it yet.

Reproduced from the artist’s original artwork of Mixed Media on Paper.