The people pleaser is a painting that explores the inner psyche of somebody who has lived their life pleasing others. The main focus of the painting is the center, dark and confusing, with multiple peoples’ faces mashed together to form an abnormality, the validation that a human lives for. As humans in a society, we grow up suppressing ourselves simply to make other people happy. A people pleaser’s happiness is gained when they make others happy, thus that is why the main focus of the painting is the eyes and lips of people, pointing out that the positive and approving sights and words of another person is what somebody craves for to find their joy. The tea cup, flowers and Ferris wheel are all blurry and in the background compared to the rest, and are engulfed by a sea of eyes symbolizing that the true “expressions of happiness” have simply disappeared due to the craving and yearning of external validation. I tried my best to put onto a page what I have always felt, to symbolize the absurdity of human existence and need for validation. This painting is extremely close to my heart, as I have poured out all I could’ve in the process. Made with oils, I did not stop with it until I was satisfied with the result, and just for a little extra touch I completely ignored all the advice given to me by others, refusing to sacrifice my own happiness for a few positive opinions on my work, I also made sure to release some pent up anger by scratching the center with a shard of glass (just for fun). The entire painting is about the loss of identity, happiness and purpose in the life of a human as they succumb to societal pressures and expectations, and lose their way of expressing happiness :D
