Last week I made a painting about the wildfires we’ve been having here in Colorado.

It was very emotional for me, because the wildfire was right next to our town for the month of July, and we had to exist with the smoke, and watch our friends get evacuated. I had to get it out. Painting my heart out about the difficulty and the loss and the challenge of these fires was the only thing I could do.

Which is why art matters so much for those of us who feel things deeply. It’s an outlet for the big emotions we don’t always know what to do with.

So many creatives hold all of that inside. They think their art has to be pretty, or finished, or good enough to show. But some of the most powerful work comes from the hard things, the feelings you can’t say out loud.

This painting moved people more than anything I’ve made in a long time. But even if no one had seen it, making it would have been worth it.

Watch here to see actual clips of the wildfire, and me creating the painting:

This one found its home almost immediately, with an old friend who was deeply moved by it. Getting to reunite with him over this painting was very meaningful.

If you’re carrying something heavy right now, let your art hold it. That’s what it’s for.

With love and creativity,
Kellie

PS. Scroll down and leave a comment – tell me what’s bringing you meaning in your paintings lately.