Looks like my gnome found a friend.
(Sorry about the crappy cell phone picture.
Looks like I'm going to need to bring my camera to work!!)
(Sorry about the crappy cell phone picture.
Looks like I'm going to need to bring my camera to work!!)
Friday, April 29, 2011
Charity
I am going to be a little verbose today. So I thank all of you for putting up with me in advance.
I am bi-polar.
I was diagnosed in 1997, despite the fact that I think I've been this way most of my life. That year was particularly stressful for me and I had a genuine, lock-yourself-in-a-dorm-room-for-several-days-crying-without-seeming-end, break down. I had a lot going on in that point in my life and I had been pushed past my personal coping point.
I didn't know what was going to happen to me and if I hadn't had a friend there at that time that had gone through similar things, I would have been in a lot of trouble.
Thankfully, I was shown a community of people all going through their own personal struggles with mental illness. And I was able to find (a few years along the way) several community resources and support groups available to help people coping with and supporting patients with Bi-polar disorder.
Joining Depression-Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), a peer-led Bi-Polar and Depression support group opened up my eyes to all the resources there really were for people with a mental health diagnosis. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) was a national organization who's purpose is to provide education, support and services for family friends and patients with mental illness.
Personally, the scariest part of mental illness for me, is not knowing what my options are. Not knowing where I can go if I feel things have gone too far. Not knowing if there are places for me to go, people to talk to in an emergency, or if there are places that can help my loved ones learn about what can be done to help me. And this is exactly what NAMI provides. Not only the resources, but the support and peace of mind for patients and those who care about us.
I personally know so many people who have benefited from the services they provide and am happy to support them however I can.
This year, I will be leading a team for the NAMI Walk, 2011, on June 4th. And I am so happy to support this charity that I have personally benefited from.
While I'd love to support this walk 100% on my own, I need help. If any are able, I would be thrilled for you to support me in supporting this amazing charity.
Thank you for your love, support and wishes!!!
I am bi-polar.
I was diagnosed in 1997, despite the fact that I think I've been this way most of my life. That year was particularly stressful for me and I had a genuine, lock-yourself-in-a-dorm-room-for-several-days-crying-without-seeming-end, break down. I had a lot going on in that point in my life and I had been pushed past my personal coping point.
I didn't know what was going to happen to me and if I hadn't had a friend there at that time that had gone through similar things, I would have been in a lot of trouble.
Thankfully, I was shown a community of people all going through their own personal struggles with mental illness. And I was able to find (a few years along the way) several community resources and support groups available to help people coping with and supporting patients with Bi-polar disorder.
Joining Depression-Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), a peer-led Bi-Polar and Depression support group opened up my eyes to all the resources there really were for people with a mental health diagnosis. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) was a national organization who's purpose is to provide education, support and services for family friends and patients with mental illness.
Personally, the scariest part of mental illness for me, is not knowing what my options are. Not knowing where I can go if I feel things have gone too far. Not knowing if there are places for me to go, people to talk to in an emergency, or if there are places that can help my loved ones learn about what can be done to help me. And this is exactly what NAMI provides. Not only the resources, but the support and peace of mind for patients and those who care about us.
I personally know so many people who have benefited from the services they provide and am happy to support them however I can.
This year, I will be leading a team for the NAMI Walk, 2011, on June 4th. And I am so happy to support this charity that I have personally benefited from.
While I'd love to support this walk 100% on my own, I need help. If any are able, I would be thrilled for you to support me in supporting this amazing charity.
Thank you for your love, support and wishes!!!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Do what you love!
I have lately been besieged by a love of painting! I've been thinking about painting all day! Seeing ideas and inspiration everywhere I look. I've been practicing every chance I get and obsessing over tutorials, techniques and tools.
I'm not a savant, or perfect, by any stretch of the imagination, but I can't explain how happy it makes me.
I've been walking around town looking at the world differently and I love it so much. Trees and flowers in my eyes lately are shapes and colors and shading and light. It is kinda of refreshing to see the world with a new light, a new excitement and perspective.
And I can't encourage people enough to get out there and do something that totally switches up your perspective. That makes you see new colors and life with a new set of eyes.
Be it painting, singing, skydiving...getting out in the world and LIVING is really good for the soul.
So get your camera, or try a new craft...get out there and make your soul sing!
I'm not a savant, or perfect, by any stretch of the imagination, but I can't explain how happy it makes me.
I've been walking around town looking at the world differently and I love it so much. Trees and flowers in my eyes lately are shapes and colors and shading and light. It is kinda of refreshing to see the world with a new light, a new excitement and perspective.
And I can't encourage people enough to get out there and do something that totally switches up your perspective. That makes you see new colors and life with a new set of eyes.
Be it painting, singing, skydiving...getting out in the world and LIVING is really good for the soul.
So get your camera, or try a new craft...get out there and make your soul sing!
(And if you do, I'd love to hear about it here!)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Birch
Do not adjust your monitors!
This was an experiment in painting with black and white.
I call it, "Bent, not Broken".
I really love Birch trees and wanted to paint them, but it wasn't until I was asked to sumit a piece in black & white for Oak Leaves that I decided to actually try and paint something with just black and white paints.
It's not my best work, but I do like it a lot!
I love practicing and learning more about the art.
I will be submitting it to Oak Leaves soon!!! Wish me luck!
This was an experiment in painting with black and white.
I call it, "Bent, not Broken".
I really love Birch trees and wanted to paint them, but it wasn't until I was asked to sumit a piece in black & white for Oak Leaves that I decided to actually try and paint something with just black and white paints.
It's not my best work, but I do like it a lot!
I love practicing and learning more about the art.
I will be submitting it to Oak Leaves soon!!! Wish me luck!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sublime
Another watercolor and ink. I painted the bare background first and then when it all dried, I did a freehand drawing on it and then filled it out with ink.
I really need to work on perspective and proportion. It still needs work, but I kinda like it.
I really need to work on perspective and proportion. It still needs work, but I kinda like it.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Watercolor
More fun with watercolor today...and I learned that pre-wetting your paper really DOES help with watercolor painting. That and waiting for each layer to dry completely before adding more color.
I won't post the other stuff I did...it mostly sucks. But I was rather fond of little birdie here.
Water color is challenging, but I really do love it!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)