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Diagnosed With A Rare Disease And Struggling With Chronic Pain, I Finally Found Joy In Creating Art

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In 2015 I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. Much like with any sickness, as long as you can function, you’d rather just not deal with it and unfortunately for me, the symptoms got to the point that I could no longer ignore them. After struggling with chronic pain for several years, the inflammation in my joints and tendons began to spread, and eventually, I had to quit my job since I was unable to walk, and for 5 months I was housebound.

Due to these health issues, I turned to art therapy as a means of coping with reality and the oil paintings I created whilst struggling to find purpose and meaning during those tough times are what remain of my initial battles with the disease. My latest portrait painting collection, “Off the Grid”, combines my love for art with travel by juxtaposing portraits with beautiful landscapes. The model’s gazes offer insight into their personalities and reveal an air of disconnectedness with an undercurrent of nostalgia – in other words, they seek to escape their reality and to travel to those distant places painted across their faces.

These beautiful paintings have become a constant reminder to me to be brave in the face of adversity and to pursue worthwhile goals that make me feel alive. Since being properly diagnosed, I’m now taking the proper medications to suppress the negative symptoms and I’m on the path to recovery.

More info: beaubernierfrank.com | Instagram | Tumblr | Facebook

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8Kviews

Beau Frank

22-year-old French | American self-taught surrealist painter

22-year-old French | American self-taught surrealist painter

What do you think ?

JohnDediu 8 years ago

It's cool and modern. The faces are expressive and photogenic, and the body postures are dynamic. I like the contrast between inside - outside world, shades of grey vs color. Also the bad boy approach is rebellious and youthful. Keep up the good work.

4points

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

cheers mate! I used to do a lot of illustrative work of pen on paper but eventually I decided to try something different. I didn't feel like painting landscapes and I wasn't quite comfortable painting faces so i thought I'd keep things interesting and bring my graphic design background and do a contemporary take on portraiture! I kept the backgrounds white to simplify the paintings and make the faces pop out!

0points

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AlexandraRea 8 years ago

My goodness, you're fantastic!

3points

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

thanks! you're sweet :)

0points

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MaureenZappellini 8 years ago

Bravo! You certainly have talent- I'm glad you have found your artwork helps you through your chronic pain- I also suffer from severe chronic pain (still not definitely diagnosed after 5+ years of constant nerve pain...I go for another EMG next week - hoping for some answers) I Also find my solace in making art- I am a metalsmith- one of the only times I am not consumed with pain is when I am at my workbench- Concentrating on artwork is incredibly powerful and therapeutic- I'm glad you have found good pain management (so difficult to find a Dr who actually understands) Keep up your painting and drawing! very inspiring!

2points

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

I hope everything works out for you! It can be difficult to endure the day to day when there is a constant struggle for your attention. The mind tends to wander and become distracted so harnessing your pain and expressing it through art can help with the healing process–but it sounds like you already knew that haha. It took me a while to put a name on my disease-- 7 different doctors, countless physical therapists, chiropractors, online searches, and it wasn't until a specialist ordered me 12 different blood tests that I discovered the culprit. Unfortunately I lost my job and my independence but I'm fortunate to have had friends and family by my side and my art gave me courage and purpose. Keep up the good work Maureen and I hope it gets better!

1point

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NanetteCrochet 8 years ago

I too have ankylosing spondylitis. I feel your pain. You give me hope. I may get my paints out of the attic..... Great paintings!

1point

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

Please do! Sometimes it's good to get out of one's comfort zone and to have a creative therapy session! haha

0points

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JoniJohnsen 8 years ago

Absolutely stunning. The juxtaposition you show between color and grey has been my experience of a chronic disease. Your courage to work through your pain to create such beauty is remarkable.

1point

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

The reason why the portraits are in black and white, and the landscapes are in color is because even though my world seemed so dull and gray at the time, I could still rely on my ability to dream and I imagined all the the places I'd rather be. I'd go on these trips of introspection which let me explore different parts of my mind and it got me through the rough patches. In a way, it's my creativity that liberated me from my mental and physical pain.

0points

Load More Replies...

MichaelRRyan 8 years ago

love this thank you.

1point

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

Thank you!

1point

Load More Replies...

TeresaDoyle 8 years ago

I applaud you for choosing to be identified by your work, not your chronic illness. You can avoid physical disability if you take your meds and keep moving.

1point

DilşadNurKılıçoğlu 8 years ago

I saw one of these drawings long ago and i didnt know the story behind it but i immediately thought it was about pain. well done!

0points

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

Thanks for taking an interest in my work! I recently created a 36 page magazine catalog featuring an intro, about the artist, studio visit, interview, the full collection, an article recently published in a startup magazine based out of NY. I created the magazine as a way to process my experience of dealing with my health issues and finding healing through painting. Designing and putting together the catalog became a way to document, share and remember this life-changing event. If you're interested in hearing more about my story or you just want to have a cool little coffee table book with some surreal art then you can find it in my store http://www.beaubernierfrank.co... Cheers! -Beau

0points

JustAGirl 8 years ago

Spectacular! :)

0points

JohnDediu 8 years ago

It's cool and modern. The faces are expressive and photogenic, and the body postures are dynamic. I like the contrast between inside - outside world, shades of grey vs color. Also the bad boy approach is rebellious and youthful. Keep up the good work.

4points

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

cheers mate! I used to do a lot of illustrative work of pen on paper but eventually I decided to try something different. I didn't feel like painting landscapes and I wasn't quite comfortable painting faces so i thought I'd keep things interesting and bring my graphic design background and do a contemporary take on portraiture! I kept the backgrounds white to simplify the paintings and make the faces pop out!

0points

Load More Replies...

AlexandraRea 8 years ago

My goodness, you're fantastic!

3points

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

thanks! you're sweet :)

0points

Load More Replies...

MaureenZappellini 8 years ago

Bravo! You certainly have talent- I'm glad you have found your artwork helps you through your chronic pain- I also suffer from severe chronic pain (still not definitely diagnosed after 5+ years of constant nerve pain...I go for another EMG next week - hoping for some answers) I Also find my solace in making art- I am a metalsmith- one of the only times I am not consumed with pain is when I am at my workbench- Concentrating on artwork is incredibly powerful and therapeutic- I'm glad you have found good pain management (so difficult to find a Dr who actually understands) Keep up your painting and drawing! very inspiring!

2points

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

I hope everything works out for you! It can be difficult to endure the day to day when there is a constant struggle for your attention. The mind tends to wander and become distracted so harnessing your pain and expressing it through art can help with the healing process–but it sounds like you already knew that haha. It took me a while to put a name on my disease-- 7 different doctors, countless physical therapists, chiropractors, online searches, and it wasn't until a specialist ordered me 12 different blood tests that I discovered the culprit. Unfortunately I lost my job and my independence but I'm fortunate to have had friends and family by my side and my art gave me courage and purpose. Keep up the good work Maureen and I hope it gets better!

1point

Load More Replies...

NanetteCrochet 8 years ago

I too have ankylosing spondylitis. I feel your pain. You give me hope. I may get my paints out of the attic..... Great paintings!

1point

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

Please do! Sometimes it's good to get out of one's comfort zone and to have a creative therapy session! haha

0points

Load More Replies...

JoniJohnsen 8 years ago

Absolutely stunning. The juxtaposition you show between color and grey has been my experience of a chronic disease. Your courage to work through your pain to create such beauty is remarkable.

1point

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

The reason why the portraits are in black and white, and the landscapes are in color is because even though my world seemed so dull and gray at the time, I could still rely on my ability to dream and I imagined all the the places I'd rather be. I'd go on these trips of introspection which let me explore different parts of my mind and it got me through the rough patches. In a way, it's my creativity that liberated me from my mental and physical pain.

0points

Load More Replies...

MichaelRRyan 8 years ago

love this thank you.

1point

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

Thank you!

1point

Load More Replies...

TeresaDoyle 8 years ago

I applaud you for choosing to be identified by your work, not your chronic illness. You can avoid physical disability if you take your meds and keep moving.

1point

DilşadNurKılıçoğlu 8 years ago

I saw one of these drawings long ago and i didnt know the story behind it but i immediately thought it was about pain. well done!

0points

BeauFrank (Post author) 8 years ago

Thanks for taking an interest in my work! I recently created a 36 page magazine catalog featuring an intro, about the artist, studio visit, interview, the full collection, an article recently published in a startup magazine based out of NY. I created the magazine as a way to process my experience of dealing with my health issues and finding healing through painting. Designing and putting together the catalog became a way to document, share and remember this life-changing event. If you're interested in hearing more about my story or you just want to have a cool little coffee table book with some surreal art then you can find it in my store http://www.beaubernierfrank.co... Cheers! -Beau

0points

JustAGirl 8 years ago

Spectacular! :)

0points

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