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Regular price $650.00 Save $-650.00

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,

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?”

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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 weriem.com@gmail.com for any questions.

All rights reserved ©weriem. NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE.

Regular price $650.00 Save $-650.00

In this drawing, I aim to reflect the state of physical and/or mental exhaustion. For me, it began with mental fatigue that led to insomnia, resulting in physical weariness as well.

Here, you can see me depicted as the fatigued character, sitting on an uneven surface resembling an unstable web. The cascading rolls of emotions on the left push the character to the edge, accentuated by the challenges portrayed through the twisting lines. Additionally, you may notice a motif from "The Artist's Block" (the first drawing of the "Soliloquies" series): the stylized eyes symbolize concerns about how others might perceive and judge my situation.

The small black dots at the top of the drawing represent the myriad of minor worries. Falling slowly, one by one, they accumulate to form dense and overwhelming peaks, finding their way into a linear arrangement.

Despite the torment, the character sits on the ground, gently cradling their own head like a baby seeking solace, while above the shoulders, soft clouds provide comfort. This image portrays my yearning in those moments—to disconnect my mind, cease overthinking, and truly recharge.

The inspiration for this piece stems from a real-life experience that occurred many years ago, and fortunately, that period has passed. However, I distinctly recall the sensation of being overwhelmed, as if a bulldozer had plowed through me, and the inability to find lasting rest. Whether it's triggered by the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or any significant life-altering event thrust upon you, my hope is that you have discovered a path to seek peace and comfort.

I invite you to explore the depths of this drawing, to connect with the emotions it conveys, and to find solace within its artistic representation. May this artwork serve as a reminder that even in the face of exhaustion and challenges, there is always hope for peace and renewal, paving the way for brighter days ahead.

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Regular price $650.00 Save $-650.00

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.

"The Artist's Block"

If you're a writer, painter, or any type of creative who must conjure something out of nothing, you're likely well acquainted with this feeling. Creative block is a somewhat elusive state that can be misunderstood as a lack of ideas. However, it's more nuanced. The ideas exist, but they lack that special spark that drives one to surpass boundaries. They feel mundane and unworthy of exploration. We've all witnessed the image of a writer scribbling a few paragraphs on paper only to crumple it up moments later. The dissatisfaction with our creative output can be discouraging.

In this drawing, I portray myself when I made the difficult decision to shift gears. I was faced with an infinite field of possibilities. The prospect seemed exhilarating in theory, but in reality, it appeared as an abyss of arbitrary choices.

In this artwork, the character clings tightly to a colossal black artist palette. She should fully embrace this palette, but it is cracked right in the middle. Her other hand, spiraling down after the crack, seems to have surrendered. Meanwhile, her feet point in the opposite direction, contemplating if retreating would be a safer course.

The artist palette is shaped like an egg, symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings. The intricate motif on the upper half represents eyes, reflecting concerns about other people's judgement. The lower half displays hourglasses, representing the passage of time, laden with anxiety.

However, in the midst of this artistic exploration and the challenges of embracing the unknown, it was possible to discover a renewed sense of curiosity and excitement.

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Regular price $700.00 Save $-700.00

Highlights
Painting
Surface: Stretched canvas
Material: Mixed media (paints, glue, fabric, thread, gold foil)
Width: 32 inches (81 cm)
Height: 32 inches (81 cm)
Colors: Blue, Pink, Purple, Gold, Rose Gold

Bonjour,

This is the story behind this painting.

Let’s begin with the name: "Storelle." It is a product of linguistic fusion: it marries "Sorelle," the Italian word for sisters, with "Story." Additionally, it interweaves "Story" with "Elle," the French pronoun for she/her.

This painting came to life against the backdrop of the #metoo movement, a time when women began to vocalize their experiences of various forms of violence. These stories inundated the media—television, radio, and social platforms—melding narratives from both familiar faces and strangers. Their collective resonance lingered in my mind—a blend of distress, sorrow, and righteous indignation.

A closer examination of “Storelle” exposes intricate details: the eyes, the mouths, the triangles. In my artistic lexicon, the inverted triangles, forming V shapes, embody femininity, while the standard triangle, reminiscent of a pyramid, symbolizes dominance and an established hierarchy.

From the mouths, voices emerge, and through the eyes, tears flow—an unhealed wound laid bare. Despite the incisions and the etchings, a gentle quality emanates from the pinks, and an enduring radiance emanates from the gold.

Interestingly, whenever this painting is presented to first-time viewers, their initial impression tends to reflect tranquility and softness—an almost consoling sentiment.

My creative process incorporated an eclectic mix of media, including diverse paints and textural elements achieved by layering fabrics, gilding with gold foil, glue, carving, cutting, and even sewing onto the canvas. Enhanced by iridescent paint and gilded foil, the final form dances with the shifting play of light.

Is “Storelle” a creation intended solely for women?
The answer is an unequivocal no. Each of us possesses connections—mothers, sisters, friends—that root us in a shared human experience. As members of a global community, compassion binds us together, regardless of gender.

Does “Storelle”resonate with you? Can you imagine it in a specific room of your home, or office? If you'd like to see a video, please contact me here: https://weriem.com/pages/contact

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The shipping is not included in the price. This painting can be shipped to you worldwide, or picked up in person in Chicago (use code STUDIOPICKUP to take off the shipping fees). Please contact me for any questions.

All rights reserved ©weriem. NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE.

WERIEM

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