Highlights
Hand-drawn with black ink on paper
Drawing: 9 x 12 inches (22.8 x 30.4 cm)
Frame: 17 x 25 inches (43.2 x 63.5 cm)
Materials: 
Illustration paper
Archival Quality Ink / Acid-Free / Lightfast
Black custom frame, metal
Double mat board (black and ivory)
UV non glare acrylic glass
Archival mounting board
Certificate of authenticity

Bonjour,

This series of original drawings, titled "SOLILOQUIES," delves into the realm of self-reflection. It goes beyond mere physical representation and explores an inner journey. As you explore these pieces, you may even recognize aspects of yourself or someone close to you.

"Burnout"

In our fast-paced world, burnout has become an all-too-familiar companion for many of us. We invest our energy and passion into various pursuits, often neglecting our own well-being along the way. Here is the story behind the third piece of this series.

"Burnout" delves into my own personal journey as a freelancing artist, striving for perfection as my inner perfectionist demanded. Countless hours were spent pursuing gigs in the hopes that they would eventually lead to better opportunities (and some indeed did!). Those of you in the gig industry understand the difficulty of saying no or turning a blind eye to questionable work conditions, often self-imposed. I dismissed my instinct to slow down, and instead thought the solution was to just work harder. After all, I had the job of my dreams! This was the game I had to play to reach my goals. I was already so fortunate to work in the art field. I had turned my passion into my profession. "I am so lucky… right?"

Even now, as I write this, I feel a twinge of guilt for contemplating any form of complaint.

But one day, after approximately five years of this relentless pursuit, I reached my breaking point, which was likely a result of my perfectionism and ambition.
Suddenly, I found myself sinking into a profound work-related depression. While other aspects of my life remained fulfilling, everything professional became tainted. The fire within me was extinguished, and even the most exciting tasks were entangled with immense stress. However, little by little, with a new found perspective, I persisted. The fire returned, perhaps more tempered and measured. Nevertheless, my ambition and love for my work led me back to the same path. Five years later, burnout struck once again.
This time, though agonizing and counterintuitive, I found the courage to say no. I was ready to open new doors, leading me to a better place. More than a year later, I am immensely grateful that I put a halt to that slippery slope.

In this artwork, I sought to encapsulate this personal story that I’ve just shared with you. The vulnerable figure, naked, bent and weary, is suddenly ensnared within a narrow tunnel of darkness. The flowers and burning candles have vanished, yet their presence lingers barely out of reach on the other side. May those symbols of beauty and love serve as a reminder that even during our darkest moments, a path exists to rediscover balance and rejuvenate our spirits.

I invite you to take a moment to reflect on your own encounters with burnout. Have you experienced something similar? How did you navigate your way back to renewal and well-being? Can you relate to the difficulty of saying “no?”

---

The shipping is not included in the price. This framed artwork can be delivered to you worldwide, or picked up in person in Chicago. Please contact me at [email protected] for any questions.

All rights reserved ©weriem. NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE.