Patchwork Moments
Samantha Peck
Little blessings in the midst of a loud and crazy world. When you count them together it’s like a comfy quilt on a cold day. Having autism and OCD as a kid in a broken home, order went out the window, and I didn’t feel good a lot. I still don’t feel good all the time, but things are different now. If you look at a quilt and you focus on the bad spot in your stitching or wrinkle in your fabric you miss the bigger picture. Each stitched with a purpose like this quilt. This drawing is based on some of my accomplishments and enjoyments.
Metamorphosing Happiness
Emily Bruch
Choosing to reflect my life in my art, this piece is inspired by the transformation I’ve undergone to become who I am today. Growing up I struggled with anxiety and depression which made happiness feel like something I had to earn. Over time, I realized that being happy doesn’t have to be perfect to be real, it can exist alongside struggle. Becoming who I am took time, effort and resilience. But now, I feel like I’m out of my cocoon and in control of my life. Happiness is already within us, sometimes we just need a little transformation to see it.
Burnt Out
Alexia Lorentz
I’ve been dealing with mental health challenges for as long as I can remember, and been in therapy of some sort for the last twenty years. Bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, and anxiety were key factors in my need for long-term support. This picture represents how it feels when I’m burnt out mentally, and how living with fibromyalgia has caused even more frequent burn out than before the flare ups became so frequent.
Art has been some of my main therapies for as long as I can remember, and now more than ever. Many days I struggle getting around, performing basic tasks. When I can’t get out in my garden, or out with friends, I use that time to create.
Untethered
Emily Sekerak
My “Untethered” block print depicts a dog breaking from its chain in a worn down hollow and jumping into a field filled with flowers. She cannot see the horizon nor does she know where she is going, but she has broken free. This piece was influenced by my own mental health struggles and working to break free of negative cycles. As well as being inspired by the “Unicorn Rests in a Garden” tapestry.
Space Face
Lynn T. White
My faces is a series of portraits that explores what happens when deep rooted emotions manifest themselves onto our outward appearance. This piece is acrylic paint applied to mixed media paper. The Space Face is tired and worn out which is how constant worry can exhaust you. Taking meds to deal with racing thoughts was always a scary option for me as I did not want to be fuzzy or spacey.
Thoughts are B.L.U.E.
Lynn T. White
This work is using the color blue to express the emotion of overwhelming sadness. B.L.U.E. thoughts are an acronym that stands for Blaming, Looking for the bad, Unhappy guessing, and Exaggerated negativity. These thoughts are usually too negative to be true and lead to feelings of sadness and anxiety. In the print the face is depicted with exaggerated features and the uncomfortable juxtaposition of different shaped eyes leading the viewer to wonder what has made the subject so sad. When I have BLUE thoughts I have found the use of a gratitude practice will help me to replace the sad thoughts with more balanced and realistic emotions.
Blooming Blessed Reminders
Diana Andrews
You calm my spirit and give me rest. I can feel hope because of your love. No words can express how I feel about you.
Contemplation
Diana Andrews
I wanted to show the feeling of being deep in thought with color, paint application, and the pose of the model. So often I feel the heaviness of life and I could see it in the model as well.
Casting My Cares on Him 1 Peter 5:7
Diana Andrews
In the past I saw this verse like casting a fishing rod. I found myself reeling it back in and not trusting God to see me through. Now I think of skipping rocks as my cares. When I release the rock/cares/worries it goes to him without me going back and worrying. I reworked this painting when I noticed it was too peaceful. My act of giving my worries to God, at times, is not during pleasant circumstances and it because an ugly and frantic prayer. The gold is God meeting me and my prayers with beauty and love.
Dysphoria
Kiera Zoe Walters
Drawn during a teletherapy appointment, it is a visualization of what I thought the feelings of Dysphoria and Depression might look like were they a humanoid creature.
Dinner
Natalie K. Warner
This Rooster watercolor painting is titled “DINNER”. Natalie Warner created this painting in 2015 remembering blessings of growing up enjoying the outdoors.
Natalie has many fond memories of living on a farm. Hard work, patience, and perseverance were learned at an early age remembering our wonderful Creator each day appreciating God’s blessings of having food on our table. Money frugally spent was a necessity. Living off the land was a true learning experience.
This painting has been featured at Mount Vernon Nazarene University as an art exhibit sponsored by Mental Health America.
Holding the Unholdable
Jenny Hayhurst
Water was never meant to be held. No matter how tightly I cling, it slips through my fingers. I live with OCD, and oftentimes chase control –grasping at “good” days, desperate to make them stay. The harder I try to hold on, the more it hurts when everything spills. So now, I’m learning to welcome the good without fear, to meet the bad without shame, and to love myself in the quiet space in between.
Belwildered
Amy Gantt Bell
At times, when people I love have struggled with addiction, anxiety and confusion overwhelmed my mind, spinning thoughts would not rest.
Calm
Amy Gantt Bell
Finding purpose and direction through encouraging support creates a calm spirit.
Keep Loving
Amy Gantt Bell
Keep loving, see the best in others, hope and stay strong.
I Corinthians 13:7