Artist Statement

How can I portray the journey of mental health through color, symbols and subject matter?

For my sustained investigation I wanted to answer the questions: How can I portray the journey of mental health through color, symbols and subject matter? And, how can I depict this journey from both a side of struggle and of wellbeing and the path it takes to get there? I grew more confident in my sustained investigation as I produced more work. I have practiced going beyond just making a one to one copy of a photo, but adding different elements or enhancements to make it something new, different and have a deeper meaning. I have practiced using color to depict emotions and even different mediums like charcoal, paint, or mixed pencil drawings to show the contrast between mental wellbeing and struggle.

 Each piece I create represents either a facet to healing or a facet of struggle. I want to show that everyone's mental journey is different, yet no one’s is a linear path. My piece, Good Company, shows the importance of relationships. The deep connection between two people can drive away darkness. This idea is brought to life in the background. A main technique I use in my backgrounds is what I like to call a “glow.” The glow shines brighter around the subject and turns darker towards the edges of the background. I use my “glow” to show how the two girls together are bringing light into the darkness that is shown around the edges. 

I have really honed in on my use of color and how it can enhance and amplify the emotions connected to the piece. For instance, if I am using charcoal, it is a messy medium and one I use to portray a deeper and maybe even darker emotion or state of being. Some of my oil paintings are almost saturated in color. This is to enhance the meaning of someone glowing from the inside or a feeling of content.

 A couple works that have shaped my investigation are a piece called the Awakening and one called Lanterns. I did these two pieces in previous years and both aligned with the message that I was trying to convey. I found it challenging and engaging to include symbols or elements that add to meaning in a way that makes the viewer ponder. 

I am taking all that I have learned over the past several years and really cultivating it into a portfolio that I can share with others and hopefully spread awareness on the importance of mental health. Not only that, but I want to show how art does not only need to be solely a creative outlet but an emotional one as well.