Xylophobia | xylo·​pho·​bia \ ˈzī-lō-ˌˈfō-bē-ə \ | — An irrational fear of wooden objects. A fear of forests.

From my Phobia Series, an ongoing series I revisit periodically. Inspired by my own irrational fears, the landmine-like triggers associated with PTSD, and the onslaught of anxiety. Living in any state of fear takes major tolls on those inflicted, as well as those around them. Often times these fears can render a person paralyzed and unable to ask for help. Communication breaks down, lost in a sea of no tomorrow. There are no words. These pieces represent some of those dark places. Through hopelessness, I seek to understand the pain and push through. Lift the mental burdens that challenge positive growth and find ways to understand them. 

2018, abstract, fear, green, mixed media, orange, phobia, wood

The fear of wooden areas or objects is actually more common than one might think. When most are agreeable to an afternoon hike out in the woods, others might decline, not for fear of exercise or other physical exertion, but fear of the unknown. I think most fears of this nature might be linked to scary movies involving sleepaway camps or other situations where one finds themself lost in the woods with no sense of direction or way home. I have that fear as well, but it doesn’t stop me from heading to the hills for some nature. Choosing to do this piece on wood was essential to the bigger picture of this phobia.