Practicing Death

skeleton with a chick on top of its skull holding a paintbrush and contemplating things, mental health illustration by surrealist artist Gwenn Seemel — Gwenn Seemel
*Practicing Death*
2021
acrylic on panel
10 x 8 inches

What is the skeleton saying? And the chick balanced on the skull? What does the paint brush mean to you? And the eggs in the background?

My emotions can be overwhelming at times. In those moments, I try to remind myself that I’m just carbon, oxygen, and gooey bits that will one day be inert again. When everything that’s going on in my mind seems to loom so large, it’s helpful to focus on the simple truth that nothing lasts forever.

What are the ways you’ve found to cope with big feelings?

To see the making of Practicing Death, go here.

skull and chick painting in acyrlic — detail image