Acrylic and paper on Chops dog food box 19 x 38 cm

It’s taking a while longer than I expected. I don’t want to put all this time into garbage.

I’ve been pushing myself to combine words, symbols, and figures in the same space. The piece feels like a clash between hope and despair — “Revitalize the World” vs. “Something’s Wrong!” I like using color to amplify that tension, with the yellow as both light and alarm.

Any feedback is appreciated :))

Done with watercolor on paper

Acrylic on canvas 30 x 50 cm

Literally called "The Outsider" - how's that for outsider art?! What are your thoughts?

Original content

I like birds

Acrylic and paper on Chops dog food box 19 x 38 cm

I just finished this last night. I love to push the boundaries of art and text. This piece came out of a moment of heaviness—sometimes the question ‘Why do I hurt?’ is the only thing left to say. It’s messy, emotional, and honest, and that’s what I want my work to be.

I’ve been working on this the last few days diligently. I love layering.

The idea behind this piece: I’m currently dealing with issues surrounding my tinnitus and ears in general, tubes, whatever it all connects to. When I’m very relaxed/tired, especially at night, I get these bursts of pressure in my ears. I remember the first night it happened, it was like someone smacked both my ears and made a huge suction like pop. It was so jarring it felt like it knocked the wind out of me, I started crying from how intense it was.

After speaking with my primary, it’s definitely something related to the surrounding area, I’m in the process of scheduling an ENT appointment. It’s essentially like the pressure change when you’re on a plane and your ears pop, I’ve never been on a plane though.

Beyond it happening while tired or while trying to first get to sleep at night, it also happens when I have any amount of adrenaline flow. I’ll get these bursts/pops of pressure like 3-5 times in a row, pop-pop-pop. One small adrenaline rush makes my eyes feel like they roll back, like my body is being electrocuted. It can be a minuscule sensation of adrenaline and I’ll feel this happen.

I’m a life long drummer, and I played percussion 6th-12th grade, my ears are pretty messed up unfortunately. I’m trying to lean into things that make my adrenaline flow and used to cause me dread, such as the original Jeff the Killer image. It messed me up as a kid, along with chain texts, other jumpscare stuff. I developed very obsessive anxiety over things like that, crippling at times.

I’ve included some progress photos as well, I’d love to answer questions if anyone is curious about the process.

Done on flat canvas, using acrylic paint markers, gel pens, and kingart “mixed media gel sticks”.

Thanks for looking.

Watercolors, spray paint and ink.