We Keep Going (Art)

Words and illustration by Alyssa Osasere.

Like many other creatives, I turned to art to help myself work through some negative feelings. It’s a powerful act, but personally, it can be difficult to make art that matches feelings and addresses the situation at hand in an authentic way.

Even still, this painting captures at least some of what I’m feeling right now. I feel like I am walking an unwelcoming path, surrounded by ominous forces of nature ready to crash down on me and swallow me whole. I try my hardest to keep calm and stay grounded. Though it’s not easy, I keep going–even when I feel like I’m bleeding from every part of my body and soul.

Though it’s not easy, I keep going–even when I feel like I’m bleeding from every part of my body and soul.

I know plenty more people who’ve been affected by this election’s outcome and also feel disheartened, hopeless, and fearful–but, somehow we keep going. We have so much strength. We can get through this and reach a higher place. However, we are not puncture-proof. We need to take the proper time to mourn, to feel every negative feeling spurred by these events, then move forward and inspire, and hopefully cause change. I’m hoping I can do that with my art, because there’s more times like these underway.