Art Story: Inferno by Donna Cali
This is an art story about a painting that brings strong emotions, pain, and hope. This is about Inferno.
Paris, 1999
Twenty-three years ago, I was on vacation in Paris with my husband’s brother, Rosario. We had fun walking and seeing the city when I suddenly started feeling sick. I felt so lightheaded and started to get anxious for no apparent reason. I couldn’t understand why because I knew I had just eaten and was feeling fine.
Rosario noticed and asked if I was okay, so we decided to stop walking so I could drink some water. Then we started walking again until I started feeling the same way five minutes later. After that, the feeling was stronger, and I told Rosario I couldn’t walk any farther.
It felt like someone was draining everything out of me. I felt like I was going to faint. There was this fear inside of me that I couldn’t explain.
The Walk Back
So we decided to walk back to our hotel, and I told Rosario I felt so much darkness. I saw people killing each other. Rosario tried to calm me down and said everything would be okay.
I experience Bipolar Disorder, and I know that sometimes people cannot understand my reactions or thoughts, but I understand them because I am very sensitive.
I saw people dying when I was experiencing this moment, and I saw a high-ranked person in that vision.
Notre Dame
Rosario decided that we drive back towards the direction where I couldn’t walk. While driving, I saw this massive church – the Notre Dame. And as soon as we drove by it, I felt the same feeling while we were walking.
I started crying hysterically. I didn’t know what to say, but I hope I never experience that again.
2015: The Inferno was Born
Several years after the event, I started getting goosebumps which reminded me of the time we were in Paris. Then, I started panicking and knew I could only release the feeling by putting it on canvas. So I started painting.
This is the birth of Inferno. The painting that helped me release my emotions.
The canvas that took all the fear, anxiety, and pain from me.
This is why I am grateful for the gift of art. It helps me release everything.
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