What this piece is:
It is both a tribute and a message. A tribute to those that do this, and a message to those who don't. I personally do NOT condone this type of behavior, it is very painful to know that someone you love dearly does this.

How this piece was made:
Two photos, one with my left hand and the knife, and one with my right arm. Put them together and with a little dodge/burn and the paintbrush tried to make the cutting look realistic. This was done for the shock factor. This sort of thing happens all the time and few people really know about it. I took that image to greyscale, added color, then framed it in choice text.

The message:

"Cutting is a way of ‘letting off steam’. For some reason that we don’t fully understand, a person finds the act of cutting releases tension and therefore makes them feel better. Most people don’t feel pain at the time of the cutting, although afterwards it can be painful while the injury is healing. It is not attention-seeking behaviour, as most people do it in private and never tell anyone." [link]

I know several people that 'cut' or in some other ways mutilate themselves as a release from the daily pressures of life. I've even had the displeasure of being in love with someone who did this. There is hardly a worse feeling than knowing the person you love is cutting and abusing themselves and there is nothing you can do about it.

What I have found out however, is that there is something you can do about it. Start paying attention to those around you, on and offline, even those that you hardly talk to. If you think they may be cutting, give them a little extra help. Tell them that they look good today, or tell them what they mean to you, give them all the little things that make a good day good. You never know, it could be just that that keeps them from harming themselves.

This activity is so common that the chances that you don't know someone personally who does this are actually fairly slim. So open your eyes a bit, not all scars are from accidents. And whatever you do, don't get upset at them or force your feelings onto them.. that is what makes people want to cut in the first place.

To those who cut:

I just want to say that I understand why you do it. I understand that on the inside it feels good and it wipes away the pain and the pressure and everything. This piece is for you.

Too many people I know do this, and I hate feeling that there is nothing I can do to make them feel better. So if there is anything I can do, anything at all, let me know. I am always here to talk to. This piece is for you.

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If you or someone you love/have loved cuts, raise your hand and share your story.