lil peep by Jodie Filan

The title of the work is lil peep. The drawing started as an RIP for the recently deceased singer of the same name, who died last year of an overdose. This art is 18×24 mixed media on watercolor paper—primarily acrylic paint and prismacolor markers, with details done in colored pencils. In fact, my own blood was used in the drawing. My fiancé had left me, and dealing with my parents in their old age was too hard for me, so that in a moment of pain I self-cut, something I had done in high school but grew out of. I let the blood drip over the face which I had initially tried to make human, but became more skull-orientated instead. In so many words the best way I can describe this piece is pure pain grief and hopelessness, with a touch or two of insanity. I did not plan the drawing, I emptied my mind and just let it happen. Looking back on it now I see it as a grieving process. Art is such a good way to help heal people; it helps me every day dealing with my addictions. I hope to get better and someday bring hope to other addicts—we all get caught up thinking it’s too late for us and society hates us. Thank you for this opportunity to share with you.

Jodie Filan was born in Saskatoon, Canada in May 1992, making her a Taurus. She is completely self-taught. What influenced her art the most was a traumatic series of events leading to addiction. Losing her family and friends greatly impacted her style. Unfortunately, she, like many others in her community, suffers from addiction to methamphetamine. You can find her and her art at www.facebook.com/JodieFilanArt, www.instagram.com/jodiefilanart, and www.deviantart.com/kentcharm.