Some people are naturally charming and at first glance, you both seem to hit it off thinking, this person is a lot like me. But once you???re past that first impression and look past that charming personality you begin to see something completely different. Someone manipulative, self-centred, apathetic and just lacks the knowledge of how to be a decent human being. You learn that they never once cared much for you and it feels like stabbing a knife into a fresh wound. Once you???re able to remove them from that pedestal you can see others just like you, captivated by the same illusion. You can???t help but wonder, how can such a person be so loved.
I???ve seen this cycle many times in my life from my personal relationships and those around me. It hurts more because it???s always someone from your inner circle of friends. They make their way into your heart always playing vulnerable, making it seem that the world is always against them. Prompting you to comfort them so they can absorb all of your attention and validation, thus making it look like you???re building a ???bond???. However, whenever you show vulnerability they barely bat an eye and tell you to get over it or even switch the conversation back to them. If you pay attention, slowly but surely you???ll realize that???s all this relationship is, the initial sparks you first felt a far gone.??
Sometimes you blame yourself for falling for this farce, perhaps thinking you deserve it. But one thing I can say for sure is that no one deserves to feel devalued. If someone is making you feel less than what you should, distance yourself from that person, find a new environment that allows you to grow and embraces your flaws. There are times you may feel guilty for wanting to leave. Perhaps this person has done a lot for you and initiated your personal growth, but ultimately you don???t owe them anything, you???re free to do what you want. Don???t forget, a healthy relationship takes two if one half thrives at the expense of the other that???s not fair and in no way, should you make excuses for their behaviour. If they demand respect from you they should know to reflect that respect.??
These raw emotions were what I attempted to capture in this illustration. Everyone knows that one person who can attract people so easily with charisma that brings people in like a moth to a lamp. Unfortunately, once you???re charmed you???re at their mercy, yearning for their attention just like all those that came before. The only way out is to wait to be thrown aside or snap out of it yourself and break free.??
This one was an interesting one to do, it was fun to explore how to express ???captivity??? as well as using only one tool to complete the illustration. Usually, we???re mixing the media but it???s all done by those white Gelly Roll pens, given that I had the chance to play around with different tip sizes. I was also impressed with how straight I can make a line without a ruler, I???m even more impressed that I did it without any devasting mistakes!??
That???s all for now! Until next time!??