Artist Statement
Breathing Through Anxiety
By RonnieSzo
When I see the iridescent shimmer of a bubble floating through the air, I feel a burst of joy. A bubble doesn’t suddenly appear, though – you need even, controlled breath for it to expand until it is ready to escape your carefully held wand. The bubble then drifts away, fated to eventually pop.
The stark contrast of an airy, flower-filled meadow next to bubbles filled with imagery of squiggled masses are meant to illicit discomfort, but also show the various ways that controlled breath can be used to heal us, releasing feelings of persistent anxiety.
Through focused and intentional breath, one can channel feelings of safety, comfort, and calm. Breath can also be erratic and intrusive, resulting in heightened anxieties, sometimes in the form of a panic attack. Small anxieties day-today can be helpful, but not if they overtake your thoughts and actions.
I made these illustrations and Sofia’s Weird Feeling, created in my Children’s Book Specialization class, as a promise to myself that my anxiety will no longer control me. They are a reminder that our intentions are more powerful than we realize.
Materials
1. Canvas Painting: Mixed Media Canvas, Watercolour, Gouache, Acryla Gouache, Pencil crayon, Iridescent Medium
2. Bubbles: Watercolour Paper mounted on Wood Panels, Watercolour, Pencil Crayon, Acryla Gouache, Iridescent Medium
3. Paper Cuttings: Watercolour Paper, Watercolour, Transparent Paper, Iridescent Medium