"Burnout"

"Burnout" 11in x 14in, soft oil pastels on canvas, 2026

This piece shows a figure under intense stress, slowly melting like a candle. The body bends and softens as if it cannot hold its shape anymore, with wax-like forms dripping downward to represent energy and stability fading away. The flame above symbolizes constant pressure and expectations that continue to burn, even as the person underneath is being worn down.

The use of soft oil pastels plays an important role in the meaning of the piece. The medium allows colors to blend, smear, and blur into each other, mirroring the feeling of exhaustion and loss of control that comes with burnout. The soft texture creates a sense that the figure is dissolving into the surface, reinforcing the idea that stress can make someone feel like they are slowly fading or melting under the weight of everything they carry.

As the candle melts, it reflects how burnout happens over time. It is not a sudden collapse but a gradual draining of energy, motivation, and identity. The dripping forms suggest time passing and effort being spent continuously, while the flame remains, showing how people often keep pushing themselves even when they are already exhausted.

Overall, the piece uses the softness and blendability of oil pastels to visually express burnout as a slow, emotional melting point, where stress transforms the figure into something fragile, worn down, and struggling to keep its light.