Tuesday, April 21, 2009

More Self-Imposed Art Therapy



I'm starting a new series.
I've always been intrigued with medicine. I was put on antidepressants for the first time when I was 11. Dr. Roach gave me a bottle of shiny, candy-like pills that promised happiness and normalcy. They didn't work, but I slept all day and didn't care about my sad little life anymore.
I've been through many pills since then. I'm finally ready to explore my feelings about the hope and disappointment of medications.
So many promises broken.
This piece is 10" by 14", cotton and metallic thread on a printed background. I wanted to mimic the feel of thick acrylic paint. I wanted the grainy look of brushstrokes and the swirl of melting colors. I'm really enjoying this technique.

8 comments:

Marissa said...

I was on Effexor. Oh. My. God. I didn't care about anything after that. I didn't care I failed classes, that I was broke, nothing mattered but that fuzzy feeling of everything being just out of reach of being real.

The detox off the Effexor? I don't wish that on anyone.

Rachel said...

That is awesome. I've never been on antidepressants but I know plenty of people who have been & they turned into zombies, basically.

Jenn Carson said...

I've been on Wellbutrin for almost four months. For the longest time, I was very much against the over-prescription of anti-depressants and didn't really believe that depression could be that bad. And then I found myself in a place I couldn't dig myself out of by myself. So far, I can tell there's some just-don't-care going on... but it's still better than the alternative.
On a lighter note, I was thinking that the colors and texture are reminiscent of Van Ghoh. I really like how you did the shiney part of the pill.

CraftyGryphon said...

You are beyond awesome - your Prozac totally rocks!!

CraftyGryphon said...

You could TOTALLY sell these on Etsy (or in medical mags or something) - I know that's not the point, but I can think of a LOT of physicians/therapists in this area that would *love* to have a stitched PROZAC on their wall...!

I know, I know, copyright/trademark matters intrude, but still, it's awesome!

Anne Marie said...

I think you succeeded in mimicking the feel of thick acrylic paint strokes. Love the "thick" texture and how the colours melt together... The things that we make which are inspired by our own experiences whether good or bad always seems to turn out the best.

Sophie said...

Up and down and up and down. A million different medications. Switching everyday. Finally on a good combination. But it took totally messing up my metabolism and two hospital stay.
I love this project. And the flowery background is perfect.

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