# 1089
Masking the Pain
36" x 24" x 1.5" | Acrylic | $865.00
Status: Available
Current Location: D. Sheil Art (Gallery)
This piece was inspired by a poem I stumbled upon. A very happy, popular, involved, high school student wrote a poem about the life she lived during high school and the stark comparison to her personal struggles. Later in life she shared it with her mother and talked about the fact that she always hid behind a mask. She went on to explain that although she seemed happy, she was not. She always felt alone. She felt like no one would like who she really was so she always pretended to be happy. She always seemed to fit in, but never felt like she belonged. Her story, as with the painting, gets darker and darker. The painting has a colorful background intended to fool you into thinking this is a bright, colorful piece. Over the background I have written excerpts from the poem (See below). Over the poem is the “mask” which starts out bright and shiny at the top, but gets darker the farther down you go. Dark to the point where you can almost make out troubled, hunched over, broken down figures at the bottom. I am happy to report that the person who wrote the poem is now an adult and has conquered her troubles and insecurities. She is finally living the reality of the life she hid behind as a high school student. The poem, as hidden behind “the mask” in the painting: I was once sad and lonely, Having nobody to comfort me, So I wore a mask that always smiled; To hide my feelings behind a lie. Nobody could hear my cries at night For I designed my mask to hide the lies. Nobody could see the pain I was feeling For I designed my mask to be laughing. Day by day, I was slowly dying. I couldn't go on, There was something missing. But till then I'll keep on smiling. Hiding behind this mask I'm wearing. Hoping one day I can smile, Till then, I'll be here. Waiting. The piece is mixed media, created with acrylic, pastel, and spray paint on canvas. It is gallery wrapped with the paint continuing around the edges so it does not need to be framed. Although the story is dark, this great piece will light up any room.
