There is something that feels entirely wrong when you rip the pages from a book like the DSM. It was also inspiring though…

I’m starting a series of mental health mixed media pieces.

My hope is to find a way through this art to generate awareness, relatability, light, and understanding that drowns out the pervasive stigma.

So many artists are doing this work through various mediums.

The challenge comes in generating something that resonates, is meaningful, and can cut through the noise with so…much…already coming at us.

However, many of us overthink (actually don’t most of us? Hmmm…ah shoot!)

So, I’m drawing, painting, cutting, and combining mediums until I find a rhythm.

Even if I throw it all away, the messy pathway is all part of getting there…finding that meaningful thing.

I have always known when I’ve found “it” when I can’t stop working.

It’s when the ideas flow faster than I can create and express them.

It’s when my mind is on fire and keeps wandering back to imagining what’s next throughout the day.

Yet, there is still this fear that your creation will touch no one, accomplish nothing, change nothing, and sit idle…taking up space in your studio.

Either way, I am loving the possibilities and the joy I feel in following the path wherever it leads.

A sneak peek of my first piece comes next week!

Janessa