Hiding in Plain Sight

“Hiding in plain sight” is an artwork particularly close to my heart. Not many people know this, but early in 2024, I received an official diagnosis of living with Bipolar. Titles often stigmatise, casting shadows and doubt, but my wish is to be more open about such things so as to remove these negative associations and make it easier for people to know they are not alone, and that it’s perfectly okay, to not be okay all the time.

In my recent experience, despite functioning reasonably well, I was placed on medication that was supposed to balance out my very depressing lowest of lows and exhilarating, yet what the expert’s called “mania filled highs”. However, unfortunately,  rather than helping my extreme moods, this particular medication actually added to the cauldron and gave me extreme anxiety.

I subsequently spent months, feeling paralysed physically and emotionally. Each morning, I’d sob uncontrollably until I’d roll out of bed, or forcibly pick myself up off the bathroom floor. Only to bawl my eyes out or borderline hyperventilate as I prepared breakfast for my family and pack the school lunchbox. I could even expertly run around the block with tears streaming down my face. Amazingly, I would somehow get through the day publicly with a smile plastered on my face and a graceful wave fitting of royalty. Only to repeat the dreaded process the next day.

Thankfully my beautiful family intervened, and I was able to attend The Health Retreat on the Sunshine Coast where I learned some very valuable tools to better cope. Extra wonderfully, upon getting back from my healing time away, the hippaestrum flowers within my garden had blossomed to give me the warmest welcome home. Subsequently, I felt hugely inspired to paint this artwork as a mental health talking piece. To show that so-called ordinary looking people, are living with all sorts of internal battles. Pressures that you may not even realise are simmering beneath the surface, until the cracks they expertly try to patch and manage on their own, burst wide open.

So while the beautiful woman within this artwork is hiding in plain sight, happily nestled within nature and hugging the hippaestrum flower for comfort, she is needing the reminder that she is not alone, that she is worthy, valued and very much loved. That being strong for too long will only make the cracks more entrenched and asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but of great strength and determination to rise above.

May this artwork serve as that important reminder for us all. My wish is for it to be the perfect addition to your home or office space, to inspire and remind viewers to treat each other kindly, to lavish ourselves with self love and compassion.

———————————————

ORIGINAL: Hand painted artwork

SIZE: 600mm x 600mm on stretched canvas 50mm deep

MEDIUM: oil

INVESTMENT: $600 + delivery

FRAME: Please note, framing is not included. Bespoke framing can be coordinated on your behalf and will be quoted separately.