How Pain Inspires My Art and Informs My Life

What Is Pain?

Pain: A localized or generalized unpleasant bodily sensation that causes mild to severe physical discomfort and emotional distress. (Merriam-Webster)

Pain synonyms: discomfort, distress, agony, hurt, irritation, misery, torment, trouble, wound

Last month, I asked what concerns people had and received a variety of answers, including the following: AI, food banks, arts, mentoring, children's hospitals, women's safety, understanding constitutional rights, ageism, removal of DEI, the power of the 1%, women's rights, support of the LGBTQIA+ community, preparation of the next generation, personal achievement, and health.

These are more than just topics of concern. They represent pain points within our communities and, in many cases, within our personal lives.

Pain as the Starting Point for Art

Emotional pains like these are the jumping-off points for my art practice.

My art begins when something causes me discomfort or pain. An emotional feeling that leads to a visceral reaction, often manifested in tears. These moments are a sign that something is so bothersome, hurtful, or painful that it must be paid attention to. My emotions are speaking to me, and I must listen.

Once I identify a problem or pain point, I attempt to unpack my true feelings about it. Why is it bothering me? What is it informed by? What are the true origins of these feelings?

This can often be found through journaling and poetry. Once I have identified my own feelings, it is time to speak with my community and find out how they feel about the same subject. Sometimes this is done through surveys, and sometimes through interviews or focus groups.

The Importance of Feeling the Pain

I find that allowing myself to feel the pain instead of ignoring it keeps me present. It allows me to acknowledge what I am feeling rather than push it aside.

I carry this approach into my everyday life. Quite often, we ignore the pain in our lives, trying to numb, avoid, or mask it in order to appear strong and in control. The truth is that none of us are really in control.

Just as physical pain is a message from our bodies that something is wrong physically, the emotional pain and discomfort we experience are also messages. They tell us to stop and pay attention.

Turning Pain into Something Meaningful

In my case, I process these feelings through art. I only create art that I feel very passionate about, art that I feel compelled to make. And that pain compels me.

My pain and the pain of others become the starting point for exploration, reflection, and ultimately, creation.

Perhaps the lesson is that pain isn't always something we need to run from. Sometimes it is an invitation to look closer, listen more carefully, and begin asking questions. For me, it is often where the art begins.