Kayla's Desultory Art

Body is the third of six works in the Healing Collection. During the years of abuse, my body was not my own. How I wore my hair, makeup, clothing and more was all decided by another. The one thing I could control was what I ate or didn’t. I became obsessive over my weight, starving myself or binging then purging after being told I needed to eat. I harmed myself in many other ways as well, but over time the healing has allowed my body and mind to mend, even if not entirely.

What does healing look like? To heal from trauma is not easy, pretty or clean. Nor is it quick, in fact, I don’t believe there is a finish line on a healing journey. However, the journey becomes easier. As you open each battered door and allow yourself to truly experience what lies beyond them, you gain tools to help you further the journey. What does it look like to heal though? For me, healing allows color and emotion back into the world as the shell of a human being cracks and the soul is released. I had the pleasure recently of doing an inner child meditation, led by Michaela Jean. During this mediation, little Kayla showed me the things that once brought me joy, reminded me that it’s okay to let that joy back in. From that day, flowers have seemed more vibrant and I have grown ever closer to them again. Every bit of that mediation inspired this collection and I hope that by sharing it, I can inspire others to start their healing journey.

11x14 Oil on wood panel

***Artwork arrives unframed. Framed shots are just for mockup purposes.