Illustration Friday - Hide
"Somewhere there's a stolen halo
I use to watch her wear it well
Everything would shine wherever she would go
But looking at her now you'd never tell
Someone ran away with her innocence
A memory she can't get out of her head
I can only imagine what she's feeling
When she's praying
Kneeling at the edge of her bed"
This is my first ever IF submission. Was thinking of ideas during class in college and this came about. Drawn in ballpoint pen, colored with Photoshop.
Every day we meet people who hide secrets behind a smile. The author of "Smiley Crayon Faces", a story about child abuse, poignantly illustrates how easy it is to hide. This drawing is dedicated to all those who have similar stories to tell.
"My abuser was my father. He told me we were going to share something special, and it was a secret between just me and him. I was not to tell my Mother. I loved my father, then, and did as I was asked.
One day, I was playing with my dolls while my mother was watching some 'For Women' movie, where a Psychiatrist is talking to a mother about how to recognize abuse in a child. He showed her crayon drawings... and explained that children would express their emotions through the pictures they drew. Drawings of children with tears in their eyes, or no color, or drawn apart from family indicated trouble. The next day, the school teacher asked the class to draw our families. I wanted to draw my father waaay away from me, and no colors. Remembering that movie, and fearing discovery, I drew a happy crayon family, all together. Yes, children are good at keeping secrets if they matter."
Read the full story at:
www.geocities.com/smileycrayondrawings/index.html
www.squidoo.com/SmileyCrayonFaces/
Other links:
This appeared on: crystal.thinktankmag.net/
Comments and faves
Laserone ☆ Lauren (75 months ago | reply)
Sad. But true for too many. Nicely done. :)
Buglady1104 (75 months ago | reply)
Sad. Even her dolly is sad/scared. You know you did a good job when people can feel her emotions. I hope she is safe now.
studio lolo (75 months ago | reply)
Deja vu....very powerful illo.
~studio lolo~
CrystalCha (75 months ago | reply)
Thank you all for your comments. I'm glad with how it all turned out. The doll was actually an afterthought, but now I realize it completes the picture.
Jim Vail Photos (75 months ago | reply)
Being a hospice chaplain I run into stories like this much too often.
Breaks my heart and angers me at the same time. Use your pain for the good of others. Bless your heart!! You have a wonderful talent in art!! www.newlifetoday.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (a few days late)!!
(If I ever get a Golden Retriever, I'm going to name him Brinkley!)
Jim Vail Photos added this photo to his favorites. (75 months ago)
CrystalCha (75 months ago | reply)
jimindestin: thank you! =)