Overwhelm
The art of depicting the modern human experience
Someone Feed the Cat, 2024 by K.M. Martell
This image beautifully captures a sense of emotional overload in such a poignant and relatable way. Let’s look at how other artists represent the feeling of overload!
See
Overwhelmed, 2019, by Tarek Butayhi
Untitled, 2016 by KwangHo Shin
Though untitled, this work might be interpreted as overwhelm. The application of many colors and thick paint in the detail below supports that interpretation.
Korean artist, KwangHo Shin, attempts to capture the complex relationship between the expression of emotion and the experience of the mind. With roots in Abstract Expressionism, he employs intense and vibrant oils to distort the facial features of his subjects and confront them psychologically. (Art Review City)
Speak up, 2018, by Isabel Emrich
Say
Environmental Dream, by Isabel Emrich
Compare ‘Environmental Dream’ by Isabel Emrich to ‘Speak Up’ (above). ‘Speak Up’ communicates a sense of overwhelm to me, while this painting seems more calm and peaceful. What characteristics of each painting might support these possible interpretations?
How does KM Martell’s style in ‘Someone Feed the Cat’ help to communicate to the viewer?
What value does art that depicts the everyday have for the viewer?
Share with us by leaving a comment!
Do
Take a mindful minute to slowly and carefully draw a spiral on a scrap paper. While drawing, focus on creating the same distance between the lines and work slowly! This will give you a mental break away from your thoughts and worries. It’s my active meditation and might appeal to people who can’t sit still and not think!
Listen to these short ‘Exercises to Calm When Overwhelmed” on SoundCloud
Check out these Artful Practices for Well-Being from MOMA.org
About Kayla (K.M. Martell)
Kayla lives and paints in the beautiful countryside of Wicklow, Ireland. She loves bringing to life the spirit and beauty of every day things on the canvas, and each painting is a little conversation between her and those special characters. Kayla’s paintings focus on maintaining dynamic and expressive brushwork.
Kayla’s paintings are regularly shown in exhibitions including The Royal Society of Oil Painters(ROI), The Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA), Society of Women Artists(SWA), Dublin Painting & Sketching Club (DPSC), Graphic Society of Fine Art (GSFA), and others.
Kayla is a member of the Society of Women Artists (SWA), & the Dublin Painting & Sketching Club (DPSC).
Kayla recently received the following awards:
Winner of the RSMA Royal Society of Marine Artists “New Generation” award in 2023 via their annual exhibition
Winner of the ROI Themed Painting Prize at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters annual exhibition 2022 for her painting, “Roe”
Winner of SWA The Artist Editor’s Choice award at the Society of Women Artists annual exhibition in 2022 for her body of work exhibited
Winner of the Pegasus Art -Best Work in Oil for the South West Academy of Fine Arts annual exhibition
Featured in the December 2022 magazine “Artists & Illustrators”
To keep up with the latest paintings, follow her on @kmmartellart on Instagram.
Galleries
Kayla’s paintings are available to purchase through galleries in Ireland and in select exhibitions and shows. The following galleries currently showcase Kayla’s paintings and are available online and to view in-person.
Join Wonder Mob, a community of ‘wonderers’ like you! MN Readers, sign up for circle weaving in Minneapolis on September 28, 10-11:30 am!
Please share your reflections with me by replying to this post, or post and tag my Wonder Wander Facebook or Instagram pages!
