Bleeding Heart

Original Piece 
Framed
32 x 24in
 
This collage by artist Denise Mitnick may appear whimsical, yet it carries profound emotional undertones. Crafted from acrylic hand-painted papers that are cut, torn, and assembled, the composition evokes the warmth of a sunny day. Beneath this brightness, however, lies the poignant image of a bleeding heart.
 
At the center, a hand lifts a bleeding heart toward the sky, blood droplets marking the hand—a sign of familiarity, connection, or shared pain. Nearby, a blooming sansevieria (snake plant), a rare sight, stands as a symbol of hope and renewal. In nature, the snake plant drops seeds to ensure survival, hinting at the possibility of new beginnings.
 
The sun’s orange rays flood the paper, radiating energy and life. Yet, sunlight alone is insufficient; water is essential. Above the sansevieria, drops of water sprinkle the area—perhaps from a mountain stream or lakeside—over a yellow form that could be land or a human figure. This ambiguity invites the viewer’s imagination.
 
Mitnick’s collage unfolds in three interconnected parts:
Central rectangle: Contains the snake plant, bleeding heart, and the ambiguous yellow body.
Background: Sun and sky teem with life—purple berries, leaves, oranges, and scattered yellow circles, suggesting bustling energy across hills and mountains.
Foreground: At the base, earthy images—dirt, stones, and words—anchor the composition, letting scribbled fragments fall into the darkness of the earth.
 
Words emerge from the scribbles: “love,” “heart in hand,” “perfect light,” “bleeding,” “blood,” “snake plant,” “blooms,” “pain,” “jungle of love,” and more. These speak to the emotional landscape the collage inhabits.
 
Love can wound us, leaving emotional scars, yet it remains the most hopeful force we pursue. It blooms endlessly despite pain. The sun rises, fruit flourishes, and the earth gives us grounding. We can choose to heal—lifting our bleeding hearts to the divine—or bury our emotions deep in the soil.
 
Ultimately, the artist’s use of vibrant color and layered symbolism encourages hope, joy, and the pursuit of healing’s perfect light.