The secret language I use when words fail me

The secret language of emotions: Victorian floriography and alexithymia. What happens when you can't find the words for how you feel? In this studio vlog, I’m walking you through my Tussie Mussie collection - a series of abstract floral paintings that serve as a bridge between my internal world and the outside. As an autistic artist, I often experience alexithymia, making it difficult to process emotions in the moment. These paintings are my emotional language, using the Victorian language of flowers (floriography) to communicate on my behalf. In this video: The Tussie Mussie Concept: How Victorian "talking bouquets" inspired this riotous, expressive collection. Art and Alexithymia: A look at how I use mixed media and palette knife painting to capture emotional states I can’t always name. Unconventional Tools: From bottle caps to fruit bags - the tactile process of sculpting texture on canvas. Deep Dives: The stories behind "I'm Too Happy," "Impatient Resolves," and "Tranquilize My Anxiety." Whether you’re interested in neurodiversity in art, abstract expressionism, or the history of floral symbolism, I hope these pieces resonate with your own frequency. Explore the collection: See the full Tussie Mussie series and more of my work here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/the-ateli... 💙 BECOME A FRIEND OF THE HAUS 💙 If you want to support what I do then become a Friend of The Haus! All the details are here: https://zuzushausofcats.com/patronage 💌 SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER 💌 I’m not on social media anywhere else so if you want to keep up with me between videos this is the only place to be. Sign up to my excellent weekly newsletter here: https://www.zuzushausofcats.com/keepi... 💛 BUY ART AND MORE 💛 To purchase art, zines, books, and more, visit The Gallery page on my website to see what’s available: https://zuzushausofcats.com/the-gallery 🌷 ABOUT ZUZU 🌷 Zuzu (aka Elinor Trier) is a neuroqueer AuDHD artist, writer, podcaster, YouTuber, dopamine dealer, and founder of *Zuzu’s Haus of Cats*, where she creates artwork that celebrates ‘otherness’, reminding you that you're not the 'odd one out', you're 'one of a kind’. Her weekly newsletter is the stuff of legend and has been described as 'a safe space to be exactly who you are'. Her artwork is in private collections worldwide, and her ideas have been featured in multiple media outlets, including the Nautilus Silver Award-winning book Creatrix: She Who Makes. She reads ten books a week (the only hint of savant-ism her autism has given her), snorts when she laughs (it’s adorable!), and might actually be a pile of cats in a sparkly trench coat. Find out more at https://zuzushausofcats.com 🎶 All music by the incredible Caspar Riis:   / caspar-riis  . Used with permission. Timestamps: 0:00 You’re not supposed to touch paintings 2:00 An in-depth look at finished artwork 2:25 What is a Tussie Mussie? (Victorian Floriography) 3:50 Painting through Alexithymia 6:30 "I'm Too Happy": Capturing Euphoria 9:50 "Impatient Resolves": The uncontainable bouquet 11:40 "For Once May Pride Befriend Me": Tall Poppies & Jante Law 15:50 "Tranquilize My Anxiety": 3 years in the making 20:45 "Sleep. My Bane. My Antidote": The dream landscape 23:10 Visit the Studio & Join the Haus #NeurodivergentArtist #AbstractFlorals #VictorianFloriography #Alexithymia #ZuzusHausOfCats #ArtProcess #MixedMediaPainting