"Underwater But Still Breathing" (Emotion Collection)
“Underwater but Still Breathing” depicts an individual deep in their thoughts, submerged in a warm bath to escape, if only for a moment, a very difficult time. With the subject’s head just below the surface, a fleeting moment, where the noise of the world is quieted. “Underwater but Still Breathing captures that fragile balance; a person submerged just beneath the surface, embraced by silence and solitude, finding a rare moment to just simple be.
This emotionally charged artwork emerged during the years that I was a caregiver to my late husband as we fought colon cancer. As you might expect, my place in this journey was both an honor and, at times, immensely exhausting. I found refuge in the personal moments of stillness, particularly within the peaceful escape of a warm bath. This became an essential part of my self-care routine, allowing me a chance to breathe deeply, reflect and recharge. This piece captures a person with eyes closed, surrounded by swirling bubbles, elements that not only suggest the literal submersion in water, but also act as metaphors for thoughts, memories, and emotions that swirl around in our thoughts during moments of reflection. Combining the gentle use of soft shading as well the meticulous attention to detail, communicates a sense of surrender that is not defeat, but rather a chosen pause to gather strength. I sought to create an introspective scene that invites contemplation, as well as an attempt to find peace and calm within the noise and chaos. Inviting viewers to reflect on the importance of those moments when silence and solitude become essential acts of recovery and renewal.
Creating this piece was an exercise in channeling the intimate and raw emotions I was personally feeling as I helped someone I loved through an extremely emotionally and physically demanding time. With charcoal’s raw expressiveness, I hoped to capture a glimpse of those intense emotions and accurately portray them. My hope is that “Underwater but Still Breathing” will mirror the quiet strength so many of us already possess but sometimes find it difficult to find. It is in this way that art becomes not only a medium for personal expression but additionally serves as a silent reminder of the importance of self-care and of finding your own quiet space to pause, breath, and recharge.
“Underwater but Still Breathing” depicts an individual deep in their thoughts, submerged in a warm bath to escape, if only for a moment, a very difficult time. With the subject’s head just below the surface, a fleeting moment, where the noise of the world is quieted. “Underwater but Still Breathing captures that fragile balance; a person submerged just beneath the surface, embraced by silence and solitude, finding a rare moment to just simple be.
This emotionally charged artwork emerged during the years that I was a caregiver to my late husband as we fought colon cancer. As you might expect, my place in this journey was both an honor and, at times, immensely exhausting. I found refuge in the personal moments of stillness, particularly within the peaceful escape of a warm bath. This became an essential part of my self-care routine, allowing me a chance to breathe deeply, reflect and recharge. This piece captures a person with eyes closed, surrounded by swirling bubbles, elements that not only suggest the literal submersion in water, but also act as metaphors for thoughts, memories, and emotions that swirl around in our thoughts during moments of reflection. Combining the gentle use of soft shading as well the meticulous attention to detail, communicates a sense of surrender that is not defeat, but rather a chosen pause to gather strength. I sought to create an introspective scene that invites contemplation, as well as an attempt to find peace and calm within the noise and chaos. Inviting viewers to reflect on the importance of those moments when silence and solitude become essential acts of recovery and renewal.
Creating this piece was an exercise in channeling the intimate and raw emotions I was personally feeling as I helped someone I loved through an extremely emotionally and physically demanding time. With charcoal’s raw expressiveness, I hoped to capture a glimpse of those intense emotions and accurately portray them. My hope is that “Underwater but Still Breathing” will mirror the quiet strength so many of us already possess but sometimes find it difficult to find. It is in this way that art becomes not only a medium for personal expression but additionally serves as a silent reminder of the importance of self-care and of finding your own quiet space to pause, breath, and recharge.