I haven’t drawn in a while, so I apologize if the quality is a bit poor.
Basically, I’m looking for interpretations. Â What you think is going on in the picture, what you think she’s going through. Â It sometimes helps to assert interpretations into a relatively undefined work, it can tell you a bit about yourself and let you use your imagination as well.
13 comments
Ok. I’m not an artist, and I don’t really tend to comment on things like this, but this is something I felt I had to comment on.
Clearly, the subject believes that she has been screwed (to use the technical term) by fate. The extensive levels of self-harm would serve to indicate that the subject blames herself at least partially for her situation, and seeks to punish herself. Alternately, it indicates a very low self-esteem, and high levels of depression.
She feels emotionally empty, emphasised both by the position of the word (over her heart) and by the hand clutching something directly over the heart. The fact that whatever she is holding is completely obscured raises some questions. I’d assume it is a crucifix, and the fact that it is not visible is a link to her lack/loss of faith.
The fact that her mouth is sealed closed raises a few obvious interpretations, namely that she feels unable or unwilling to discuss her situation. It could also reveal that she is restrained by some external factor from discussing what is causing her such anguish.
The black tears flowing from her visible eye simply further the emphasis on the deep and troubling pain she is going through. However, it is worth noting that the eye itself appears to be milky, rather akin to that of a blind person. This could be an implication that she is blind to the full situation, or that there are things that she is not seeing. This is further supported by the fact that her other eye is completely obscured, perhaps because she is only seeing half the situation?
While I (as I’ve stated) don’t claim to be any kind of authority on art, I will say one thing. To draw something so bleak you must have gone through something seriously troubling, and if you think it would be of any help at all, I would be happy to help you in any way I can.
Very good NR.You should become an art critic.The picture looks like me on a good day
Aha, why thank you.
I’m struggling to respond to this, other than worrying about just how bad your bad days are.
May I ask, what inspired you to draw this?
NR: fantastic job with the interpretation, I’m impressed. I drew the picture to resemble what I feel like, and I must say that you nailed every bit perfectly.
What inspired me to draw this: I’ve been having so pretty dark times, and having outlets such as drawing and writing helps control the chaos a little and postpones the inevitable. Last night was really bad, that’s why I drew this. I’m in pain for one specific reason, and I can’t seem to fix that either.
*some
While I don’t draw, I understand completely what you mean. If I wasn’t able to just lose myself in writing something then to be very honest I’d be gone by now. I don’t think it lessens the pain, but it is a brilliant form of escapism, and one of the best ways to just give yourself some time before you have to deal with it.
Do you really see the end as inevitable?
Exactly, both drawing and writing help immensely.
By saying the end is inevitable, I technically mean that death is inevitable (which it is, for every living thing). However, lately I am viewing a self-inflicted and unnatural death with a certain degree of inevitability. Not quite out of intense pain or suffering, but simply because I perceive no hope present for my future. The prospect of things getting better, for me, is rather bleak. And who, really, would want to live in a world that brings only misery?
I know how painfully clichéd this will sound, but if the world is so dark, do you not think it would be better to try and improve it?
I have to say, it hurt me a little to write that, so I’ll ask you another question. Why can you not see any hope?
I’ve asked myself that question, a lot. I realize that taking my own life is a completely selfish act, ignoring the consequences it would have on any friends and family. However, I do believe myself to be a good person, so the fact that I’m seriously considering it as an option is a testament perhaps to how dark my perception is. And I do try to help other people in the world, I constantly give advise, help people with schoolwork…I guess it’s not enough.
It’s not a matter of any rational thought; I realize that technically there should always be hope. The worse your situation is, in fact, the more hope there should be (given that hope is the capacity or the degree in which the situation can improve). It’s just a feeling, but it permeates my every move and thought. I take a step forward, and I see no end goal. No work toward any happiness or greater purpose in my life. Despite all the skills, blessings perhaps, that I have, I cannot seem to shake the notion that I’d be happier out of this place.
*advice
Do you feel then that your life is incomplete without some greater purpose guiding it? Why is that?
I know how hard it can be to be that person that is always there, trying to help others. Sometimes, you need to accept that you can’t always do that, and that you sometimes need help yourself.
If you want to talk to someone, I would be more than happy to be that person. I understand it can feel uncomfortable confiding in some stranger over the internet, but if you feel like you need to talk, I would be happy to give you my email.
It’s not so much incomplete as it is that I don’t feel that I have anything to live for or up to. I don’t need guidance necessarily, I just need to find a way to motivate myself toward some sort of goal. I have no passions anymore, which in my opinion is a pretty empty way to live.
I’ve accepted that, truthfully helping others helps me a little sometimes. I also feel like it’s the only way I can really deserve to still be here on earth, it’s an irrational feeling but one I constantly feel nonetheless.
Thanks, I really appreciate that. I’m somewhat comfortable over the internet, but just in case:
TraegJohn@gmail.com
I’ve just emailed you.