drop 01: “don’t move”

inspired by the first lesson i learned with clarthouse:
don’t get stuck in a loop. rest is movement too. 

• Unframed Size: 4.435" x 5.235"
• Framed Size: 8.5” x 11”
• printed on premium cotton paper
• personally rounded corners for a soft, handmade finish only 20 prints available
  
  
• 13 available as unframed for $20
• 7 available as framed for $50 (this # was chosen intentionally, as 7 tends to represent rest and reflection)

framed version includes:

• hand-painted backing paper, unique to each frame
• personalized handwritten message behind the backing
• certificate of authenticity (each framed piece is considered a 1/1)
• carefully wrapped and ready to display or gift

~

I painted this piece during a time I felt stuck in clarthouse. I felt paralyzed. I felt like I was drowning. I remember nights of forcing my body to its absolute limits preparing for drops, collections, pop ups, doing everything I could to stay afloat. I remember telling myself I’d rest when the collection is done, when orders are out, when the pop up is over. That I couldn’t waste time sleeping or eating now, that I had work to do. 

I told myself that if I rested even for 30 minutes, I would lose the very small window of time I needed to check in on my work, make sure things were good. Resin is a very finicky medium, and it’s not a forgiving one. You need to work fast, work carefully, work safely, work slowly, work on everything all at once, not too slow, not too fast, not too careful, just a bit creative but also stay in the lines. 

I was exhausted, and this was a piece I created when I would get stuck in those loops. I remember I’d even stop breathing on accident sometimes, and I’d feel like I was tightening every muscle in my body just to stay afloat. But I’d have to be careful because there was always something watching, which was the shark in this painting. 

Honestly, it’s weird because I saw myself as the girl and the shark at the same time when I first painted this. I remember feeling like I could see a light at the end each time, but it was faint, and I was never really sure if I’d make it each time, but I’d push and push and push. 

Eventually, aging and burnout bites you in the butt, and I was forced to realize that my body needs to be prioritized first and foremost. It’s a lesson I’m still learning to this day, but it’s the first lesson I learned with clarthouse.