Healing Through Art After Loss & Navigating Grief

When Art Feels Like Survival

Losing my mom has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through. And in the midst of that pain, I’ve come to understand something deeply personal—healing through art after loss doesn’t always look beautiful or inspired. Sometimes, it looks like messy sketchbook pages created during quiet car rides, just trying to feel something again.

Creating in the Middle of Grief

In the weeks after she passed, I didn’t feel much like an artist. My creativity felt dim. The usual spark wasn’t there, and nothing I made felt “good.” But one thing I did know was this: art helps me cope, even when it’s uncomfortable.

I packed up my travel art kit on a recent drive to my fiancé’s family farm. Not to make something profound—just to move some paint around and keep my hands busy during another quiet, heavy day. I started by spraying my sketchbook page with water and melting colors together. No plan, no sketch—just motion and instinct. Slowly, a sky appeared… then a field… then wildflowers. And then, almost without thinking, I added a dragonfly.

The Dragonfly, and What It Means to Me

Dragonflies were my mom’s favorite. I’ve painted them more times than I can count lately—not always intentionally, but I think that’s part of the magic. It’s like my heart knows I need to feel close to her, even when my brain can’t put it into words.

Below is the first painting I made the week my mom passed… it holds a really personal story and as you can see, she is surrounded by dragonflies →

This car-ride painting wasn’t perfect. But it brought me back to myself, just a little. It reminded me that healing through art after loss doesn’t require perfection—it just asks us to show up. Even with shaky hands. Even when we don’t feel like ourselves.

When Your Creativity Feels Different

Grief hasn’t made me less of an artist.
It’s just made me slower. Softer. More present.

It’s reminded me that being creative isn’t about how much I make—it’s about how deeply I feel. Even on the hard days. Especially on the hard days. Some days, it’s a full painting. Other days, it’s a single color on a page, or just sitting with my sketchbook in silence. And all of it counts.

[If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, this post I wrote about making creativity a habit might help →]

Keep Showing Up, Even If It’s Messy

If you’re going through something heavy right now, I hope you remember that healing through art after loss can be quiet and slow. It can be imperfect and beautiful all at once. Give yourself grace. Let yourself create simply to feel, not to impress. Your creativity is still there—it just might need to be held a little more gently right now.

This pep talk might also help if you’re battling imposter syndrome →

Thanks for reading my love! Remember to stay shining and stay creating! ☀️
sincerely, your artsy friend that is rooting for you