Dying For Art

Art born from a body in rebellion. A body still choosing to create.

Dying for Art is the name I’ve given this living, breathing series of paintings; each one made in the in-between spaces of pain, paralysis, and presence.

05/26/2026

Living at home with my parents has been an adjustment I never thought I would be making at 35, granted I have adapted to much greater changes over the years! This one feels quite plain, or even approachable to my nervous system.

One theme that keeps coming up for me is Gratitude.

I am Grateful for this Soft landing.

Life is chaotic, living with complex diseases is, well, COMPLEX!

And I am grateful to have a soft landing, access without bargaining, critical care without begging, and surrendering to the concept that my illnesses and disability are a full time job.

Diving into my art has been healing in ways I never could have imagined. The more connected I am with the paint the more in tune I am with my Body Grief, in that I can decide whether or not I want to participate in my feelings, emotions, thoughts or observations. It’s a level of awareness that is medicinal, invigorating.

So I am shedding of the shame of this chapter in my life. 35, artist, author, separated, gay, disabled, and now a happy resident of a multigenerational household!

Shed your shame below! Share this with a friend who needs to hear this!

{Image descriptions}

Jayne is living at home in the Chicago area with her two parents. Her sisters are also in the Chicago area. Jayne is posing in front of her vibrant, textured abstract art that is saturated in colors of pinks, purples, and blues with hints of gold. Jayne is wearing a black loose fitted blouse with strawberries on it, and jeans. Her hair is long and blonde with bangs. Jayne is sitting in some photos and standing in others, this is beautiful representation of her dynamic disability. There are pictures of yellow peonies from her mom’s garden, an eastern illinois mole from her mom’s garden, a gathering her family had over the weekend, and video of her painting and from the backyard pond.

05/24/2026

I came across this video from two years ago and it still hits home. Anyone else?!

Tag a friend who needs to see this or read the book!

{Video Description} Jayne sits in her wheel chair at her old house in Charleston 2 years ago, crying, her service dog next to her. she is expressing how sad she is that she is never not in pain. The text overlay reads: “
I came across this video from two years ago

This is the perfect translation for the fluidity and cyclic nature of Body Grief

There is no DESTINATION for healing. We name, it feel it, make room, and grow.

THIS IS BODY GRIEF. If you feel seen I wrote a book all about the immense grief and joy that comes with living in a body …with stories from all walks of life. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!”

05/22/2026

3 things I’ve learned as a 35 year old disabled Author/Artist who is starting her life over from scratch.

1.Healing is not a destination, the more you can accept the process and pitfalls the smoother the ride.

2.All roads lead back to Body Grief. Chronic illness, stress, mental illness, motherhood, divorce, racism, homophobia, body image, the list goes on and on.

3.You can’t white knuckle what the universe gives you. It will just keep gifting you the same lesson in different variations. Radical acceptance is a beautiful thing.

{Video Description}Jayne sits in her chair and shows the Chicago Women’s March behind her. The text overlay reads 3 things I’ve learned as a 35 year old disabled Author/Artist who is starting her life over from scratch⬇️

05/13/2026

Life with her is precious and I don’t take any of it for granted. She taught me how to live life without her and now she’s letting me need her again. I love you so much Mom.

Thank you for teaching me how to be a Mother in many ways, even if it means I have to say goodbye. Cheers to a new Chapter. Mother’s day is everyday.

{Image description} Jayne and her Mom smile on the beach with Jayne’s dog Gio and her service dog Wheatie. Jayne wears a bright pink shirt and sunglasses and Jayne’s Mom wears a green romper and sunglasses. They resemble one another. Jayne shows joy, trust, and grief as she says goodby to her cat Lilly and dog Gio… but she will see them again.

04/29/2026

I present to you This is Body Grief in Complex Chinese!

It’s moments like these that I am humbled and proud of myself and thankful for this amazing community.

I came home today from Pelvic Floor PT and it was a doozy… my endometriosis is back after my total hysterectomy, and my incomplete spinal cord injury is playing a major role in my pain… the Body Grief is real.

But I opened this package and I was reminded of all of the stories that are shared on a daily basis from readers across the world.

To me that makes it worth it.

I wish I could read complex Chinese 😂

{image description} Jayne smiles and displays her book THIS IS BODY GRIEF in complex Chinese it has a grey white and yellow cover. Jayne is wearing a navy pullover and has her blonde hair crimped and down.

04/24/2026

I heard Le****ns were visible this week. So I thought I’d add some disability visibility to that as well!

Happy

{image description} aa carasol of slides that portrays Jayne a white womb with blonde hair Happy, content and grounded in who she is. As a disabled woman, as a gay woman, as an author and an artist she is owning her truth and advocating for joy and compassion.

04/21/2026

Bodies are political and Life is Art … I wish it were the other way around. Life lately in IG 🧵 and 🖼️ .

{image description} a carasaoul of images som screen shots of threads some images of art that Jayne has created as of late. the art is bright, vibrant, textured and abstract, and the threads focus on disabled advocacy.

04/19/2026

35 and this is me coming up for air in the embers of a life that I burnt down so that I can LIVE JOYFULLY.

This is one of the most painful and healing and joyous and grounded seasons of my life and and and…. I could not have done without community!

There is so much in store for this year I cannot wait to share it with all of you. I love everyone who has touched my life and story. THANK YOU! I am being authentically me, and I encourage you to do the same!

{Image description } It is Jayne’s Birthday she is going through a major transition in her life and you can see the joy and courage in her face. Her golden Hair drapes over her shoulders and her confidence is palatable. Text overlay reads

“POV You turned 35
and just burned down
your entire life.
“Cheers to being authentically
you and braving through
the pain and fear to find it

04/11/2026

And then the Universe told her to welcome joy and witness light in her life as it arrives. Shine golden and heal as you go.

Starting over at almost 35. Anyone else with me?!

Image Description: Jayne a white woman with blonde hair wearing a black lace tank top and jeans with a flannel draping over her shoulders. A smile is in her face and the glow of her joy and confidence is evident. There is Jaynes vibrant art in the background. Joy is an act of resistance as a disabled woman.

Address

Charleston, IL
29414

Telephone

+16309080362

Website

https://www.jaynemattingly.com/paintings-into-purpose

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