© Westley Nash
This is a painting born from out of depression, both in the literal and figurative sense. Back in the day I suffered from a very fierce depression so intense that it swallowed the entirety of my life. Under it's weight I shut myself away, avoided engaging with people, closed everything down to a point where you could scarcely call what little remained as life. Looking back I remember how I could feel so hopeless and how everything appeared so very meaningless to me. As such my energy and motivation were permanently vacant or non-existent. But I supose what struck me more as I reflected upon that time was how even on those days when the heavy weight lifted just enough that I could actually partake of the day in a relatively constructive manner, it's as though a dark entity or looming shadow persisted in it's intent to hang over me, like a malevolent force out to sour the sweet taste of the moment.
Of course this feeling was actually the key symptoms of my depression and anxiety, but regardless of this knowledge, as that imagery stuck in my mind I felt the sudden need to paint and "Dark Angel" was the product of that venture. Speaking from my own perspective, I feel that this painting perfectly embodies that past feeling I described, as a dark entity who is always present but forever elusive; you see only enought to confirm it's existence, but never enough to understand the true nature of this beast...
Thankfully I find myself in a much more stable and optimistic place these days, as years ago I made the pivotal decision to seek therapy and support; a decision that helped change my world from that lifeless shell to a creative wonderland of sorts. Yes I still feel depressed from time to time and I still feel the stab of anxiety on occasion, but now I have all the tools and the energy to manage them better.
This artwork is a low resolution version of a much larger painting found here on my DeviantArt page (prints are available)
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and view my content, I am most honoured indeed and hope you have a really great day :)
Best wishes,
Westley xx
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