"Only Love can hurt like this.."

"Only Love Can Hurt Like This" is a raw and visceral exploration of heartbreak, inspired by Paloma Faith’s poignant song. In this abstract expressionist piece, I used pastel to depict the invisible pain of a shattered heart. The fragmented, jagged lines cutting across the subject’s face symbolize the emotional scars left behind—hidden but deeply felt, like the weight of memories that refuse to fade. These lines create a sense of distortion, as though the subject’s identity has been fractured by the intensity of love and loss.

The vivid contrasts of reds, blues, and yellows echo the chaos of emotions, from fiery passion to melancholy stillness, capturing the turbulence of a love that lingers even after it’s gone. This piece speaks to the vulnerability of love’s aftermath, portraying not only the sorrow but the profound transformation it brings. It’s an invitation for viewers to reflect on their own emotional scars and the beauty that emerges from pain.