 They just aren’t, some issues are so frightening that even in the line of the sun they are still pitch black, still frightening.
When I painted this child, I did so with full knowledge that she may not sell. I have a problem though, I can’t paint gentle art if that’s not what’s inside. So I did what I do. I painted what I know.
Little Ariel knew it would rain. How does a person with Fibromyalgia and /or Lupus know it’ll rain even without turning on the weather report? Our bones tell us. The pain level shoots up high. Our eye sight is affected. Our fingers, lips and toes get cold. The pain level shoots up so high and so fast that it’ll double the body over. What’s interesting to me is that I’m caught off guard every time.
I hold my side. I’m bending down, seconds from loosing lunch, but it hasn’t clicked. I don’t understand what’s happening to my body. When I try to get to the car I see its sprinkling, raining or even light snow. Now it makes sense. Finally I realize the weather system has changed  and that has affected my pain, my complexion, fingers, lips, eyes and my ability to think rationally. It’s as if I’ve been sucked in and can’t see my way out….  but not so fast. I can see my way out.
The pain can consume you quickly. It’s like being a fly in a web with a huge spider coming. The more the fly struggles, the more he’s stuck! It is the same with pain. If I panic, lose control of my breathing, if I stop thinking of how to help myself through that one moment, then I’m just like that trapped fly. I have a safety plan for times when my body comes under attack in a web of pain.
“Caught in the rain, little Ariel walks home without an umbrella. Through thick woods she walks and walks until a tiny sprout pops up right on her head. A few steps more and pop, pop, pop, sprouts appear all the more until finally she becomes part of the scenery.”
Art Title: Ariel knew it would rain
Art by: Faith Magdalene Austin
Medium: 4.5 x 7 heavy weight paper, colored pencil, marker, mounted
Art details: Large eyes, tree bark, bare trees, streams of rain, soaking wet, caught in the rain, red shirt, green leaves. This little overcomer is ready to be mailed out today. Please see my Etsy shop or contact me concerning my PayPal arrangement.
Faith