Living with vitiligo since 1997, I have been advised of many types of therapies to help deal with the issues that followed; whether that be physically, emotionally, mentally etc. The one thing I found that helped the most was through art. Falling in love with art wasn’t hard to do; my mother was always singing and writing poetry, my grandfather was a journalist, an author and always sang to us, my grandmother a seamstress, and lets not get started with the art of food – our home always smelled of love!
I have been so blessed to be born in a family full of creative minds and hands that build. It has been the foundation of my very being. Whenever I am stuck, feeling alone, happy or undecided, I can always turn to art. Since my search began for others with vitiligo, I found so many who used art to express vitiligo in their own way. They, you, have all inspired me; after all the years of hating on my vitiligo, I came to see it as the art I was born with; like God given tattoos, like spilled paint.
There’s Mckyla.mariposa, who showcases her art on Instagram as well as promoting body positivity. Her art reminds me so much of vitiligo and I love it! Pigmentpainter uses digital art to capture others with vitiligo and provides them with an opportunity to share their story. Emily Krasch who has created the vitiligo tribe and also uses digital art to create vitiligo Tshirts. Danielle Wheeler is the amazing author of Ivegotspots; a beautiful children’s book about having vitiligo! And all of us here who write blogs and put ourselves out there for the love of vitiligo.
It makes me so happy and inspires me when I see people creating and living in their element. Art gives us the ability to reflect on our emotions and gives us an outlet for them. Looking around me, I can see I wasn’t only blessed to be raised in an artistic home, but also now to be connected with a community I once never knew existed; and I feel right at home.
So if you’re finding yourself feeling lost, sad, happy whatever, I encourage you to sing, dance, play, create – art is everywhere and everywhere is art - Brandon Boyd.
I love to sing and write music, whats your favourite type of art? 🖼
Written By: Sarya Kayal
Photo credit: @wildfields_by_ashleighcarey
Hair stylist & colourist: @hair_byelise & @hairbysheree
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