It feels like you are in a deep, dark hole that you don’t even want to try to crawl out of… yet. Just let me lie here while the depression envelopes me like a warm blanket. It’s familiar, and in that I find comfort. I get content and slip deeper into this void. I know there is a ladder waiting to be lowered… when I’m ready.

Like the many levels of depression, the layers of paint peeking through suggest a depth to this emotion. The positioning of the subject and texture-heavy upper portion of the painting gives the feeling of being in a deep hole or well. With this painting, I want to convey that depression is a common symptom of narcolepsy. Before my treatment for this rare disease, depression was prevalent in my life. It is something I still struggle with less frequently. Sadness and depression are part of the human experience, and they are normal. Having the knowledge and the right tools allows me to climb out much sooner. If this is familiar to you, just know: there is ALWAYS a ladder, and you can climb out when you, too, are ready.

24” x 36” Gesso board