On Art, Mental Health, and Finding Strength Through Expression: Meet Dani Fallon
Photography by @thirty1.Eighty8 and @coloredcolors
Dani Fallon’s story begins with a quiet fascination for words and colors, a duality that has shaped her life as both a poet and a visual artist. Based in Long Island, New York, Dani’s work is a deep reflection on mental health, relationships, and the ways we grow through life’s challenges. For Dani, creativity is a form of survival, an anchor that keeps her connected to herself and the world around her.
“Writing is my home. It is where I go when I need to let everything go, where I can make sense of the world around me.”
This sense of refuge is central to Dani’s identity. Writing became her way of processing emotions, grappling with the complexities of mental health, and ultimately finding a voice that could reach others. Poetry, in particular, opened doors for her to explore these ideas more fully, both personally and communally.
Her earliest inspiration came during what she calls the “sweet spot” of early YouTube in the mid-2000s. It was here that she discovered the spoken word poetry of Sarah Kay, whose work felt like a revelation. Dani recalls how Kay’s ability to find beauty and humanity in the small, everyday moments of life reshaped her understanding of what poetry could be.
“The way she can tell a story with ease, can take simple moments in life and shine a spotlight on their intrinsic and necessary part of living, of being human, has never left me. Watching her perform helped me realize that it is okay to have a voice, that the words don’t have to stay hidden away in a notebook. Your words are allowed to breathe air.”
This discovery emboldened Dani to share her own writing, culminating in a pivotal moment during her senior year of high school. An English teacher organized the school’s first poetry slam, where Dani not only won but went on to perform at the iconic Bowery Poetry Club in New York City. For the first time, her words were not just hers—they were part of something bigger, something communal.
“It was the first time I felt like all of the writing I had ever done held meaning. The opportunity I had to realize that the words I string together relate and cause emotions in others was empowering. I loved it. I loved that it felt powerful.”
While this moment validated her as a writer, Dani’s creative process evolved further during the lockdown of 2020. She joined a small, all-female writing group called Screaming into the Void, where weekly Zoom meetings became a space for creativity, vulnerability, and accountability.
“Without that weekly meeting, I’m not sure my book ever would have been made. The accountability and camaraderie that developed during a time of unease was one of the best things that came out of a tumultuous time.”
Her debut poetry collection, Nothing at All or All at Once, is a reflection of this journey. The poems are deeply personal, yet they invite the reader into a conversation—about self-awareness, connection, and what it means to take up space in the world. Dani’s work challenges the notion that vulnerability is weakness; instead, she sees it as an act of courage and generosity.
“I hope my work sparks conversations that allow people to share exactly how they are feeling. I am a woman who has always felt like I need to take up less space, to be smaller. If I’m being honest, I still struggle with this, but my work is where I undoubtedly let myself take up the space I need.”
Mental health is a recurring theme in Dani’s writing, not as a backdrop but as an integral part of her creative process. After being diagnosed with OCD in 2014, poetry became a means of understanding herself and reframing her experiences. It also became a reminder of the therapeutic power of creation.
“Poetry and writing are how I processed this information. It has helped me and continues to help me understand my past and create a less anxious, more creative future. In fact, I often need to remind myself that writing will only and always does make me feel better about everything.”
Yet balancing creativity with the demands of daily life is not without its struggles. Dani works full-time while pursuing both poetry and painting, and she often wrestles with feelings of inadequacy when she can’t give everything her full attention.
“At times, I never feel like I’m giving enough of myself to either, and my brain feels pulled in multiple directions. Part of the challenge is reminding myself that where I put my time—no matter how long or short—is exactly where it should have gone.”
This tension informs much of Dani’s work, which doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexities of being human. Her art asks questions rather than providing answers, creating a space for introspection and empathy.
“Each poem, each painting, asks you about yourself and your place in this world and then reminds you to be kind and aware. I hope my work sparks conversations of others’ beliefs and experiences that are led with curiosity and compassion.”
When asked what she would tell her younger self, Dani’s response reflects the wisdom she’s gained through years of creating, questioning, and connecting.
“Keep writing. It is okay to believe in yourself and your work. You are worthy of space and belief.”
Dani Fallon’s journey is one of finding strength in self-expression and sharing that strength with others. Through her poetry and paintings, she reminds us that creativity is not just about making something beautiful—it’s about making something honest. Her words breathe air, just as they were always meant to, and in doing so, they invite us to do the same.
About Dani Fallon:
Dani Fallon is a poet and visual artist based out of Long Island, New York. She acquired her BA in Art History from SUNY Plattsburgh and an MA from Hunter College. She is proud to say that she continues to use her degree as a cataloger at a New York City auction house. However, her artist’s story has continued to evolve throughout the past decade. Her journey has always involved two different mediums: painting and poetry. Both her visual artwork and her poetry deepen conversations around mental illness, relationships, and the growing pains that evolve as life keeps moving forward. Each poem, and each painting, asks you about yourself and your place in this world and then reminds you to be kind and aware. Currently, you can find her with a coffee cup in her hand, trying to make friends with any dog that will let her, and covered in some sort of paint while attempting to write her next book.
Nothing at All or All at Once is a collection of poetry that touches on many aspects of the human condition. While primarily a personal reflection this collection evolves into a conversation between author and reader. Each poem grows to ask you about yourself and your place in this world. You can order your own copy on Dani’s website.
Website: www.embracingobsession.com
Instagram: @embracingobsession_bydani
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