Trigger Warning - Postpartum Depression and Anxiety, Mental Health, Taking Medication.
It's Okay To Get Help is about my journey battling postpartum anxiety and depression and getting the help I needed. There is such a stigma around medication that I wanted to show that It’s okay to get help if that’s what you need to do to get better. Leave the storm of depression and anxiety behind you and move forward to heal.
I am an oil painter creating self portraiture with anatomical symbolism. I plan to make this collection a life long journey that I hope will help mothers feel seen. I am inspired everyday by my trials and blessings. I have been intrigued by the human body and what exists within. blood courses through our veins, our hearts beat, our lungs expand, the immune system fights disease, all apart from our conscious thought. Also, more mysteriously, our minds and spirits are housed inside as well. This is part of why I add anatomical organs in my portraits but also to symbolize emotions. My current work tells my story of battling postpartum depression and anxiety, finding love and being a mother. Postpartum is so common for women and I don't think we talk about it enough. I strive to raise awareness to the struggles mothers experience during the fourth trimester and beyond.
I had postpartum depression and anxiety really bad when I had my first baby and sense then I wanted to help anyone that might be going through something similar. This past year has also been a really tough one for my family. Mental health has always affected my life especially among the women in my family. PPD&A is debilitating to the mind and spirit.
I’m not saying I think this painting will solve any of our problems but I painted it in hopes to break some of the stigma around medication. It’s okay to get help, you don’t have to do this alone.
I’m hoping my work finds the right people that could love such an emotional and hard subject matter. If you are a therapists or doctor or someone going through mental health this could be the painting for you.
