Swallow the Darkness

 

This painting is entered in the Art and Mental Health art show at the Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls, WI. It is done in acrylics. The original concept came from my Composition journal I started when depression was crushing me. I took a Comp. notebook and only black sharpie and worked in it daily. When the show was announced I entered and was accepted. It isn't big, only 8x10 but it means a lot to me. One day I will do a video and show the rest of the book-if I ever create a YouTube channel.

I went to see the show after the opening so I could take my time and absorb other's pieces. It was a real eye opener! Please go to any show portraying mental health and art. You will not regret it. Each had a story even if it wasn't written. Some suffer so much they used a pseudo name as artist or no name at all. Some had no descriptions. The art was from huge original paintings by people who do it for a living down to the smallest creations from art therapy. The show truly showed the power of art and the deepness of people who struggle...or have struggled, as was shown by one family's showing of their son's work who sadly committed suicide.

It made me realize my suffering is nothing compared to others. We are all in this together!! One never knows what that person next to you is going through. Be kind.

Where Have I Been?

 

Hi all!!

Going on 10 years ago I developed a vestibular condition that causes severe vertigo. It is a condition I will live with for the rest of my life with management. It eventually cost me my health and job. I retired last year from my beloved rural mail carrier position, which was traumatic. I still am dealing with the depression and feelings of being lost but it is getting better. Art is helping in that regard. 

Being as rural as we are, friends are few and far between. Since the pandemic I have lost more friends but by joining our local Democratic group, I have gained new ones. None are artsy types though. I am still looking for that tribe.

Blogging seems to be on the outs but I thought I'd give it a go again. Thus here I am, if for nothing else but for my own record. It is interesting to see the projects I've done in the past that I have forgotten about.