WORLD ART DAY 2023
In celebration of World Art Day 2023, ITSAN is proud to feature the work of artists from around the world who have experienced Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome. The impact of TSW on the mind, body and spirit of TSW sufferers and caregivers can not be fully expressed in words. We thank each artist for the opportunity to feel and to be understood.
Art by Olivia Hamer
United Kingdom
“Early TSW Days”
“This is not eczema”
Art by Mischa Coetzee
Cape Town, South Africa
“Treasure in Jars of Clay”
Title: Treasure in Jars of Clay
Medium: Acrylic with Gold Leaf (mixed media)
Description: When we invite Jesus into our hearts, he comes and mends what is broken. The scars are left behind but made more beautiful, out of gold, His love and glory for us, dwelling within us.
“I Rise, Again”
Title: I Rise, Again
Medium: Oil paint
Description: No matter how we feel going through TSW and how long it has been, we need to see ourselves healed and we will be healed. We can do this by knowing that Jesus died on the cross for our healing, perfect healing. We are crowned with his love and glory because he First loved us. No matter the deep wounds, scars, we can be made whole again, in Faith, Hope and Love. We will Rise Again!
“Beauty from Brokenness”
Title: Beauty from Brokenness
Medium: Acrylic paint
Description: This painting really speaks to me of the ones who have gone before us. The TSW warriors who have fought the good fight, won the battle, or even still going through it but with the mindset of victory. They have sown their tears into getting their bodies healthy and it has reaped a HUGE harvest of others coming to the truth of topical steroid creams/cortisones. They have poured themselves out to help others and to be pioneers of TSW. I myself could not have gotten though TSW without the research found from ITSAN and the Facebook support groups. I am eternally grateful and I know that so many others are. I now get to share my journey and help even more people. We are reaching wider!
The pots represent us as frail vessels filed with Hope, Strength, Faith, Endurance… and the flowers show the fruit of the investment we have made in ourselves, for ourselves and others, our healing! That the world will see and come to know of.
Our testimonies will speak volumes! It will speak Hope, Possibility! Strength, and for me, most importantly the Power of Jesus’s death and resurrection on the cross.
“Glory”
Title: Glory
Medium: Acrylic paint and acrylic paint pens
Description: God gave me a dream of his throne room and these colours were all around, oranges and pinks. In the Presence of Jesus we can experience his Glory; His character and his power! It will heal us, restore us, and purify our minds. When we are caught up in the love of Jesus and what he came to do for us, we can experience freedom, healing and restoration in our mind, body and soul.
4 X Art Pieces: Inspired by Kintsugi Art and 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
“I went through TSW last year, 2022, from August to November. I healed in 3 months after using strong cortisone for 3 years. Just before I decided to do TSW I painted a series of art inspired by Kintsugi Art and 2 Corinthians 4: 6-7, not knowing how these pieces would speak to me and show me the goodness of God on what I went through during TSW.
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery. If a bowl is broken, rather than discarding the pieces, the fragments are put back together with a glue-like tree sap and the cracks are adorned with gold. There are no attempts to hide the damage, instead, it is highlighted. The practice has come to represent the idea that beauty can be found in imperfection, in our brokenness. The breakage is an opportunity and applying this kind of thinking to instances of failure in our own lives can be helpful.
I believe that the message these art pieces carry will touch the heart of those who need it.”
-Mischa Coetzee
Art by Claire Shand
Northumberland, UK
“Silent Night Hunter”
“Promise of Spring II”
“From the Rose Light of Dawn”
“Poised amongst the Poppies”
“I’m a hobby watercolourist, I took up painting 4 years ago because of my skin, as an antidote to work and stress after no longer being comfortable enough in my skin to do yoga. I’ve been in TSW for 3 years now and it’s been such a blessing through a really difficult time. I don’t know what I would do without it. Somewhere to adventure when I couldn’t walk and couldn’t get out. Somewhere to put all that relentless pain and pour out my heart into the creative process.
I love animals and nature and that’s what I paint. It’s my escapism and the thing that bring me solace. It’s an absolute relief. Watercolour is an amazing dynamic medium. When I‘m painting I’m totally in the moment, distracted from the itching and tiredness. The beautiful colours are so uplifting and create magic on the page with just a drop of water. I paint myself positive. It’s been my saviour!”
-Claire Shand
Art by Joanna Anderson
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, USA
“First Bloom”
“Dare to Dream”
“I went through TSW. I’m also an artist. Art saved my life and it is an important part of my healing journey. I also have YouTube channel that I started during TSW. I have used embroidery to help me keep in the moment and hands busy.”
-Joanna Anderson
Art by Arfa Farooqui
USA
