Hello Depression

I just made up my mind to post on Go Fund Me.

 http://www.gofundme.com/hptv0o

My project is called Hello Depression

Hello. I am an artist in search of reaching people who suffer from depression. I have been diagnosis with a major depression disorder myself.  I have fought this for years, but it seems to be coming on more frequently despite medication, a better diet and exercise and therapy.

I suffer as I know many others do. I really want to launch a project called Hello Depression using the art quilts and art I create as an avenue for reaching those with depression and for those who do not have it--become aware of those of us with depression.

Last year, there was a huge pause in our daily life when we saw legend Robin Williams, a comic genius die. Although we may never know the true story behind his death, he is forever gone. The press was on it, people were talking about it, some shook their heads and wondered why. For those of us with depression, we hoped it would call attention to this un-healthy situation, but no. We were in the mist of people dumping buckets of water onto their heads! So, it was the other people's disease.

I am old enough to remember the impact the AIDS Quilt Project http://www.aidsquilt.org/ had on our society.  Hello Depression, is not projected to reach that epic number, but I want to start this with the visual  impact of my own work and see where it goes.

In 2013, I began a blog called Depression Heads, http://depressionheads.blogspot.com/ . The blog came to me as an amateur writer, talking about my life as an artist with severe depression. I have written about all aspects of my depression from the early years, people in my life, family, health, sleeping too much, romance, humor and deep sadness. I have reached over 2,000 people and I hope to increase that.

Hello Depression will fund creating new art works, an artist brochure, contacting host galleries, schools, medical facilities, treatment centers,  for exhibitions/ transportation costs, a list of local mental health resources, publicity and postage, travelling costs, insurance, mailing list, and possible hands-on workshops related to the exhibition starting in 2015.

I am a former public school art teacher from Ohio.  I have a B.S. and a M.A. in Art Education with a special endorsement in Gifted Education.  I was the kid in the corner who was always drawing, attending after school art classes when I could and had others asking how do you do that?  I am an award winning art quilter, with a  lot of exhibition experience.  I have great organizational skills. (Think writing art lesson plans, researching, colaborating with other artists, public speaking skills, getting art supplies as cheap as possible, working with inner city, rural school children, preschool, public school, an adjunct at a  college, other art teachers and adults.)
I would consider this my greatest contribution to the darkest thing I know- depression.

If you have any questions, or could see being a part of this project and just want to chat please contact me.

Thank you .

Taking a Break

The best advice I could give you today is to switch it up occasionally.

I am a devoted artist and love the touch of fabric, but last week I learned to make a mosaic planter out broken tile one day and made a paper mache body for a FAIRY a few days later.

 My next door neighbor just put up a 6 ft. wooden fence and all I can  think of is how come spring I am going to add some small bushes, hostas, grasses, and some mosaic stepping stones in front of the fence. 

Sure- it is months away,  but I was getting the learning/technique down for next Spring.  First time in a long time I am anticipating a project in spring when winter is just starting. 

That Whole “Tortured Artist” Thing?

   Ah.......... to be normal.

   1. People think you lead a "cool" artist life.
   2. People think it would be so fun to be you!                                                                         3. Where did you get your talent?  I can't draw a straight ____________.

 I struggle. This art thing started out of loneliness.  I would draw and make doll clothes almost everyday in my youth.  I would make believe and made the neighborhood kids put on plays with me, with me as the director.  I got to take art lessons as a child.

 My dad was a farmer at heart and loved working in the dirt, he had a small farm with a  pond, and woods. I enjoyed playing in the woods, fishing and running with my dog. It was there that I feel in love with nature, especially the wildflower, Queen Anne's Lace. 

Translation:  Art comes from practice.  When you make art nearly everyday and learn to make improvements, your work improves.  The child artist does not judge.  But the adult artists is very reflective and can switch in a heartbeat to art devotion to thinking your work is crap.  (...and who want to hold your hand when you are in that mood?)

I know my art is a reflection of  my mind at the time. Sometimes I think too deeply.

I was a child who: Observed nature, by touch, sight, smell, sound, and occasionally by eating sweet berries in the spring.  I was LEARNING to look. 

I used this to develop my talents.  Plus My acknowledgements for the real grip depression has on me. My critical eye.