"Bucket of Bleeding Thoughts"

"Bucket of Bleeding Thoughts" 16in x 20in x 1.5in, Cardboard, mod podge(sealer), modeling paste, wire, acrylic paint, beads, on canvas, 2026

This piece shows a figure with their head halfway submerged in a bucket of water, capturing a moment of tension between control and overwhelm. The bucket represents mental capacity, something meant to hold and contain, yet it is visibly fragile and leaking from the bottom. This suggests that the mind has limits and can begin to fail under sustained pressure.

The water symbolizes negative thoughts, surrounding the head and distorting what lies beneath the surface. The partial submersion reflects a state of being neither fully consumed nor fully free. It captures the feeling of still being present and aware while struggling against thoughts that feel suffocating. The face beneath the water appears altered, emphasizing how negativity can blur identity and perception.

The leak at the bottom of the bucket adds another layer of meaning. While the mind is overwhelmed, it is also losing its ability to hold everything together. The thoughts are not only building up but also spilling out, suggesting a loss of control and emotional exhaustion. The word “bleeding” in the title reinforces this idea, turning thoughts into something that feels physical, continuous, and difficult to stop.

Overall, the piece reflects the fragile balance of mental capacity and the weight of intrusive thoughts, capturing the quiet struggle of trying to contain something that refuses to stay contained.