I’ve always been told that my art is very emotional eventually sad or melancholic, too.
To me art is a way of describing and sharing your feelings, sharing your thoughts without having to say something.
It is clear that the viewers will all interpret the artwork differently even when their interpretation is similar, but it’s interesting.
I like to say that art isn’t only a way to express yourself, but also a way to connect with people in a non-verbal way.
The most beautiful thing is that someone out there might be looking at your art feeling relieved by it.
As if the artwork understood, what they had thought or felt in this very moment.
You might even save someone’s day or even someone’s life with your art.
Emotions.
Emotions come in various forms. They are happiness, joy, sadness, anger, emptiness, gratitude, grief. The list is endless.
Yet I realized that sometimes people are afraid of “negative” emotions linked with emotional pain.
But to be honest I don’t see them as “bad”. How can they be bad or negative if we have them?
These feelings are there, and they are valid. There’s nothing wrong with it. There’s nothing about it to be ashamed of. You feel sad? It’s okay. You feel hurt? It’s okay. You’re angry? It’s okay. Feeling empty? Yes, even this is okay. You don’t need a reason not to be okay. If you’re not okay then you aren’t and you don’t have to justify your sadness, your pain to anyone.
Just don’t push it away.
Vulnerability is nothing to be scared of. I am vulnerable and that’s okay.
This doesn’t make me any less strong, optimistic, or cheerful.
Art is a way of self-care. If you can’t explain it, if it feels too hard to talk about it, then write it, paint it, sing it. Art is endless.
If someone tells you that your art is so sad and dark, then so it is. If they believe that because your art is vulnerable then you must be too, so it is.
If someone tells you that you must be sad because your art is too, but you know that you aren’t or aren’t any more so it is and it is not their place to tell you that you are not.
Kindly remind them, “Yes, I might be vulnerable, but that’s okay. It makes me who I am.” because who could always be happy and positive. Don’t we all have our ups and downs?
Isn’t vulnerability part of the reason why we’re alive?
Emotions in art. Don’t push them away or even suppress them.
Allow them into creative process.
yukiryuuzetsu 