(ART SHOW) Art for healing, face/body paint

(ART SHOW) Art for healing, face/body paint — Editor’s note: I feel like the responses we have to trauma, are in fact, normal and not disordered which is one of the reasons I don’t even like the diagnosis of PTSD. We see Katya, using the fodder from her trauma to create and transform and heal…this is a sign of deep health and wellbeing in my mind. Trauma will not stop this woman. She is one of the most beautiful people I know her willingness to be honest and real, always. That, again, is an unusual sign of profound well-being, in my mind. If we are sensitive, we are impacted by the world. That is okay. 

I asked Katya if I might share her incredible artwork. She agreed and shared the below words about her process:

I would call what I do emotive face painting therapy, in a daily selfie. It’s like a daily journal, but using colors on my own face. Sometimes I cannot find words or even music to express how I feel. When I am feeling an intense feeling that is troubling me or exciting me, I’ll sit in front of the mirror with my paints out and choose what color(s) I’m drawn to spontaneously.

Sometimes a simple color comes, sometimes many, sometimes an entire character or persona. Sometimes I feel the entire world, sometimes I feel the entire universe, sometimes I feel a very selfish dark feeling.

Face painting helps me literally see my own emotional state in color on my own face, and when I share THAT face online, I feel so good about myself, because I’m being my own definition of real 🙂

I create to express, not to impress (well, if I impress you, I guess that’s nice too😉) But deepest I can only hope my journey helps to inspire someone else on the healing artistic journey out there. Especially anyone struggling with depression, PTSD, loss, and feeling powerless or alone.

katya wild

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