What this entails is constantly being on guard emotionally, to prove yourself to the world that you're tough, to never be vulnerable or display feminine qualities, and most of all, to dominate and oppress others. This unhealthy lifestyle leads to a multitude of mental health problems, all stemming from the repression of one's emotions.

     This illustration features the emotions a person feels personified as plants. Anger and Envy are shown as the dominating emotions, chewing on the base of other emotions such as Love and Sadness, which are left to wither away. This conflict occurs inside the person's head, hidden behind a mask that they're forced to wear every day.

 

"It takes strength to be gentle and kind"

(Ink on Paper, Digital Color, 2016)