Outsider is created by self-taught people who operating outside the mainstream art world. It often features raw creativity from folks living with mental illness, or in isolation. For the past two decades, I have generally been private about the art inspired by mental illness. Because it has been twenty years and I’ve launched 20 Years Embracing Bipolar, I have decided to start sharing some of my artwork as part of continuing to find new ways to be open about my lived experiences.
I am starting with one of my favorite paintings:
When I was struggling with my bipolar disorder, I wrote a poem about being trapped on the bottom of the ocean when everyone else is able to swim and breathe at the surface. One day, I finally decided if I was going to be stuck on the ocean floor I was going to make it feel great down there. Who said it had to be bleak?
While ill, I lost control of myself decorating my room, paint everywhere, all done with my hands instead of brushes.
To this day, I still prefer the visceral feeling of painting with my own fingers. Now, I do it on canvas as a way to unwind. I kept painting seascapes, just as a way to vent. I did not think my art was worth displaying until I met my wife. She picked out this piece as one of her favorites and we have it hanging in our office.