Everything I bled through

by Ala Ilescu, Kalpesh Desai, Susannah Lee

A VISUAL + EMOTIONAL JOURNEY
Everything I Bled Through blends watercolor art and poetry to explore regret, silence, childhood wounds, resilience, and the fragile courage to rise.

ART INTERTWINED WITH POETRY
Through an interplay of abstract and realistic paintings, alongside raw, intimate, philosophical poems, the book gives voice to painful memories, quiet suffering, healing, standing tall, embracing inner light, and ultimately finding peaceful self-acceptance.

CREATED AS A WORK OF ART
The structure intentionally weaves watercolor and poetry into a single narrative that invites reflection, connection, and a deeper understanding of the stories we carry.

99 pages, Paperback

Published November 23, 2025

About the author

Ala Ilescu is a Canadian watercolor artist and the author of Explosion of Love (2021) and My Sad Is Sadder Than Yours (2023) and Everything I Bled Through (2025).
Her art mixes real emotions with symbolic, surrealist elements.
She paints expressive portraits of women and human forms with realistic precision, but often fragmented or partially abstracted with geometric shapes and organic elements.
While the portraits are painted with realistic precision, the surrounding color bleeds and drips introduce a sense of fluid chaos — evoking thoughts, memories, and emotions.
Her style is delicate yet powerful — minimalist in form but rich in emotion and symbolism. Her art invites the viewer to pause, to feel, to remember.
Raw, poetic, and deeply human, her work speaks for those who cannot.

Reviews

[Muskan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books makes for home to a heart lost in its own chaos, finding purpose and relevance for its being. With every intricate artwork there are emotions bleeding through the pages just right along every colour that wakes in our vision and follow through our hearts. This book stands true to its title and it will take you on a journey expressed beautifully by various thoughtful poets. Every poem is a reminder of scare earned by strength, a homecoming, a journey towards acceptance and love that lasts beyond time. Highly recommended for those who have a keen eye for art and words that depict its colours with depth so familiar to a thriving soul . Such a soothing read and powerful display of emotions through colour and symphonic poems.

[Nataša Benedičič · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry and watercolour art explores the human journey of healing from old wounds or trauma through honest and raw portrayals of emotions. It delves deeply, with lines that linger and stay with the reader in their broken parts, igniting healing within oneself.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ana Ilescu and the contributing writers are voices I’ve come to appreciate for their emotional honesty and distinct styles. Each brings a strong, individual presence to the page, and it’s great to see their work gathered together in one collection. A lovely collaboration from writers worth following.

[Victoria Ramchand · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking and visually stunning fusion of artwork and poetry which explores themes of grief, healing and peace found in the wake of having survived all adversity set in your path.

A truly capivating collaboration that feels, intense, introspective yet immersive in its
emotional resonance and relatability

Read 21st Dec 2025 -
During free kindle offer

[Lana Lepalovskaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible journey from traumatic experiences to difficult but long-awaited healing. With amazing poetic talents and amazing artistic work. It is definitely recommended for reading

[Erica Ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful blend of art and poetry, should give it a read, a heartfelt poems, warmth and every word touches your soul !!! And the art 🤌🤌beautiful, everyone should read it!!! 🩷