This series consists of a variety of oil paintings that stemmed from a very dark period of my life. Having suffered from mental illness for the entirety of my life, I found art to be a life-saving outlet. Painting became a way of expressing my emotions when words would not suffice. Having given life to my emotions on canvas, I found myself confronting these feelings for the first time. Each stroke was a tangible manifestation of my inner struggle, forcing me to grapple with the intensity of my emotions. Throughout this series I was compelled to confront, understand, and ultimately embrace the complexities of my mental illness. It was a huge stepping stone towards my ongoing recovery.