Capitol Showcase Art Exhibition 2020

I have overcome being in controlled by a family member, and I’m now free to make my own choices. Having my own control has allowed me to make successful choices and mistakes I can learn from. The choices I make today will help me go forward in my life. Expressing myself through art has allowed me to gain more independence. I have learned about coping skills through my art. It has taught me how to manage my money, and I’ve even learned better ways to protect my personal items. Art challenges me, it allows self-expression and cheers me up. Art has become a part of my life. My art is abstract – I’ve shown my passion for art through illustrations in my book for children with animals, which is a dream coming true. I do folk art, I love Picasso and just about anything that is created from within my mind.

Mary
Rainbows in Life
$50

I have been diagnosed with having acute depression, 23 years ago my mother and father died which lead to me having a nervous breakdown. I could not handle losing my mother through death. When I was grieving I started skipping meals and hallucinating, seeing things that were not there. My husband was unfaithful to me and this led me losing my home and car. My sister has recently died of cancer, and I’m currently grieving her death. I was in and out of mental hospitals for some time, however, I am alright now because I am taking psychiatric medications along with received treatment of psychotherapy at Riverbend.

Catherine
A Swirl of Colors
NFS

My name is Patricia and I live with my mother. I enjoy helping others, my favorite activity is attending the day program at Vivian B. Adams School. I’m diagnosed with having an intellectual disability. Because of that I push myself every day to be more and more independent. I’m always willing to learn new and exciting things. I have found painting to be enjoyable and I like being able to create something new each day.

Patricia
Untitled
NFS

I deal with anxiety and depression. I am also on the autism spectrum. I am working on how to deal with having anxiety and depression. One way I work on dealing with it is through my art. It helps me express how I’m feeling whenever I need to and it also helps me cope with my symptoms. I use art to help myself express my emotions in a positive way. I taught myself how to draw and paint. Art has been a special interest of mine since middle school, and I have been spending my time learning how to do different styles of art.

Morgan
Untitled
$25

My diagnosis is schizophrenia and PTSD. I was homeless for almost two years, lost my benefits, lost my check and insurance and couldn't get my medicine. I was in and out of the hospital. I moved into a group home, and last month I moved into a semi-independent living space. I did this with the help of the mental health center and residential staff. I take my medicine, do my chores, and go to day treatment. My artwork is very marvelous. It is a butterfly. I used to help my brother put together model cars, and I would get to do the painting. I like doing art, it keeps me busy and helps me keep my mind off of being stressed.

Amy
Butterfly
$10

I attend a training center in Millbrook, AL. My hobbies included talking on the phone, playing x-box, exploring in the woods and watching movies. I volunteer at the W.E.L.C.O.M.E Center in Millbrook, AL and I also volunteer at Prattville Health and Rehab.

Sarah
The Beautiful Day
NFS

I have faced many obstacles in my life. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and stressors. I have faced physical health struggles. To overcome these obstacles I reached out and started to receive services at Riverbend, along with taking my medicine, and using coping skills. Because of my consistent efforts and work with the staff, I’m becoming more stable. I became an artist by reading books about art and watching tv shows about art. I taught myself by using educational books and I like art because it is fun and helps me with my illness. I like to draw and color and also completing puzzles and continuing to learn new subjects.

James
Children of the Sea
$10

I am a young adult with a mental illness and I struggle with symptoms from my illness. I live with my grandmother and she takes care of me. I attend day treatment and take my medicine to be stable. I have a lot of support with my family. I have not had any formal training and I picked up learning to do art last year. I like to draw and color and art, and this has helped me with my symptoms.

Chris
Football Goal Posts
$5

I have bipolar disorder and I hear voices that get worse when I am alone. When I get depressed I feel isolated. I have been able to stay out of the hospital for a while. I have been homeless before and lost everything, but I now I have my own apartment. I like to entertain people and I have recently been asked to join a local comedy club to do stand-up acts. I won first place in the Riverbend talent show last year doing comedy. I love to do sketch work as it has become a way for me to get away from reality and distract myself when I am lonely.

Bill
The Owl
$10

I have faced many obstacles in life related to my mental illness. Since I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, I have struggled with symptoms related to my illness and hospitalizations. I’ve overcome these challenging symptoms by escaping into art. I taught myself to draw, color, and paint as a way to express what my heart was needing to communicate. I enjoy using art to cope, it puts my mind at ease, and makes me feel better.

Katie
The Heart
$10

Hello, I have schizophrenia and anxiety that sometimes throws me for a curve. To help me cope with my illness I enjoy working on word find puzzles, journaling and watching television. 

Linda
Evil Eye
$10

My name is Tamara, and I’m 47 years old, I attend Azalea Training Center in Millbrook, AL. My hobbies are adult coloring, and participating in other arts and crafts projects. I love doing word search puzzles and volunteering at AICC in Prattville, AL.

Tamara
Wish You Were Here
$15

My name Shanga and I’m a very bright student who attends Montgomery ARC McInnis’ Adult Training Center. Due to my intellectual disabilities, I’ve had some challenges communicating my feelings and expressing myself verbally as I cannot use words to communicate. Two years ago, my expressive feelings were very limited to only a few hand gestures. Since then, through art I have learned to express myself. I enjoy mixing water colors making abstract art and art has been my outlet and has drawn me closer to others. I have developed positive relationships with my peers at the ATC. I’ve also overcome not wanting to be in crowds. I love learning and my art work is an example of how far I’ve come. My art piece, titled “Big” is one of my best art pieces yet. I am achieving my goals, while setting a prime example that the sky is the limit.

Shanga
Big

My name is Ricky and my art has helped me in my recovery. It has helped me with depression and my illness, schizophrenia and bi-polar. I am able to concentrate more and become relaxed. It has made me more independent. I was taught how to draw in school during an art class. I like realism in my art. Art has helped me stay focused and on my road to recovery.

Ricky
Rainbow
NFS

I am Andrew and I have intellectual disabilities and I often have difficulty communicating with others. I sometimes face challenges of adjusting to new places. I like to call myself a self-taught artist. I enjoy working on art projects in school and I find art to be fun.

Andrew
Night to Shine
NFS

Story missing

Terry
Healing Heart 56854
$1200

I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 2003 and have been attending Riverbend ever since. I have learned coping skills, the importance of taking medications, and developed a strong support system with friends and peers. I was elected this year to serve as a NAMI board member and hope to make a lot of positive changes in my community. Art has helped to relax me and I enjoy participating in this art show every year and showing people good things I can do despite having a mental illness.

Brian
True Colors
NFS

I have schizophrenia and depression. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1994. I am self-taught when it comes to art with a little help from my art teacher. I like art because it gives me so many unusual looks and colorful.

Stephanie
Head of a Seated Woman
$10

Story missing

Sarah
We're All Mad Here
NFS

My name is Clark. I overdosed on LSD in 1991 and since then I’ve been in Mental Health Centers ever since. My diagnosis is bipolar disorder with mania. I found a miracle drug, Abilify, around seven years ago. The medication has worked for me and turned everything around. I am now on my way to recovery. Hopefully, I will be able to be independent someday soon! God bless everyone and have a great 2020.

Clark
Heavenly Rooms
$15

My name is Lauren and I have schizophrenia. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia six years ago. One of my main obstacles with this diagnosis was hearing voices in my head. I began using art as a coping mechanism about two years ago and I feel that my talents can guide others who need help with their own journey. Art has influenced me by giving me peace of mind, and acts like a guide for me to follow. I try to seek God when I am facing any obstacle. He is my main focus with my art therapy and the art helps me focus on my religious beliefs. Sometimes, I feel that God speaks to me through my artwork. For example, in this piece, I painted a picture of a stain glass in a Church that reflects what I want in my future. In the future, my goal is to obtain a degree in Biblical Studies and carry on this journey that I began five years ago. Things like art help me cope with other obstacles such as maintaining my sobriety. I began using drugs at the age of 15, and continued until I was 20 years old. As part of the recovery process, art has provided me with an effective relaxation technique and it also has given me something to look forward to, which keeps me moving forward into the future.

Lauren
The Reflection of Life
NFS

For most of my life I have dealt with the diagnosis of ataxia. This has affected my mobility and other physical movements. Recently, I had to have surgery on my spinal cord and it has been a long journey to recover from this experience. One thing I have enjoyed doing during my recovery is painting. It allows me to forget about my pain and sufferings, and focus on something beautiful. Even though my legs are not working very well, my arms and hands are amazingly steady when I do paint. That is why I love it so much!

Lucille
Cute as a Button
NFS

My name is Gregory and I attend the Montgomery ARC Adult Training Center via The Montgomery Hanan Center. I have exhibited a strong desire to express myself through arts and crafts. I choose to share this unique peace in which I named “Rainbow Dark Cloud”. This peace is especially precious to me being that I created this picture with my deceased grandmother, Uncle Jr. and my loving Aunt Karen on in mind. As a young man I was diagnosed with down syndrome; however, I am quit resilient and focused on living my life to the fullest and to the best of my ability. For me with the recent loss of my family members I’ve found a refuge in art. This picture represents my life storms and my strong efforts to be a bright and glowing rainbow so that my family can see me shine. “Rainbow Dark Cloud” represents what I feel when I think of the people who I’ve lost that are now with the Lord.

Gregory
A Rainbow after the Dark Clouds

I am on the Autistic Spectrum which can sometimes make it hard to interact with people. I am working on becoming more independent. I do not have any formal art training, but I have enjoyed creating images from pictures in magazines, making collages out of them. I also do some painting. These are the kind of art I like doing. I was supported in writing this story.

Patton
Eyes
$60

I’m Ernest and I live with my mom. I have a moderate intellectual disability and I’m also living with diabetes which I control by walking and riding my bike every day. Being diabetic has been a hard obstacle for me. I have to be very careful about what I eat. With my mother’s help and encouragement I don’t have to take medication. I love Art at VBAS! We have two teachers that help the class. We learn about how to paint and use different painting techniques.

Ernest
Untitled
NFS

LaQuinton attends Montgomery ARC McInnis’ Adult Training Center. I am passionate about my art and I find enjoyment in expressing myself in a creative way. The piece, “The Dog”, is without a doubt my favorite work of art. I have another interesting piece in which I affectionately named the painting after my pet “Pimp”, whom I adore. I enjoy art because it is my way of expressing to the world what I envision, and what is beautiful, and meaningful to me. Although I have been diagnosed with Autism, I do not allow that to hinder me from expressing myself through art work. The staff at the Adult Training Center have continued to nurture and encourage me in ways that allow me to express myself artistically.

LaQuinton
Pimp

I have been depressed most of my life. I've had trauma a few times during childhood. As an adult I suffer from depression and I have severe mood swings that is now managed by medication. I go to therapy twice a month and try to attend group sessions weekly. I write booklets, blogs, and I paint, these things have been very therapeutic for me. After not being able to work anymore, I resulted to painting, it brought back memories of coloring and painting as a child. Art describes my feelings and helps me articulate how I feel in the moment.

Rosa
A Call For Help

I was diagnosed with autism. I enjoy the socialization opportunities I have been given by the program and hope to continue making friendships and acquaintanceship for years to come. Riverbend helps me in life and with my mental illness. I find art to be very relaxing. I use it as a coping skill when I get stressed or anxious. I think by putting my stressors down on paper I can evaluate them better. I think art adds a sense of happiness and hope for the world.

Matthew
Alabama Fish
$3

My name is Diamond and I was diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar, depression, anxiety, and mood disorder. I was diagnosed at the age of 14. I have ups and downs with my life and disability. Like for example, losing family members and also trying to control my anger and attitude. It was very hard to control my mood swings and everything else. Now I have feelings and I can talk to people about how I feel. The challenges I have overcome is losing a loved one that was very special to me and also my role model. I have become independent and I’m living on my own and becoming more reliable on myself.

Diamond
The World of Happiness
$10

I have several mood disorders, the most problematic being self-harm. Wellstone in Huntsville gave me a lot of time and they were so kind in working with me that I became interested in life again. Now I live on my own and volunteer for a couple of mental health facilities. I only participate in art class at Our Place in Huntsville but I find art to be very relaxing and there is a lot of nice interactions among students. Most of my painting involves nature because it is a relaxing and healing environment.

Gina
Alex's Dream
NFS

Since grade school I have wrestled with various learning disabilities that seemed to change my teacher's perspectives of how I can perform academically. This motivated me to overcome and outperform. I graduated high school second in my class and even earned a scholarship to Spring Hill College. Later, after being diagnosed with schizophrenia, I was introduced to art while in the hospital. I attended an art forum on watercolor and as I improved my technique I began to discover the joy and satisfaction I had when creating art. Art has given me a sense of respect for myself as realizing it's therapeutic benefits.

Andy
Iris Flower with Busy Little Bee
$5

Story

Daniel
Old Model T
$30

I am an artist originally from Cordova, Alabama and now live in Huntsville, Alabama. I was first diagnosed with schizophrenia at a pre-teen age. I suffer from severe depression. I was shy and dabbled with water colors and cartoon drawings after my depression decreased. I am in recovery and found that art is a delight, fun and therapeutic for me to do. I draw many colorful pictures which I create out of my imagination.

Melanie
Country Boy
$10

My name is Amanda and I love to express myself through my smile. I am in a wheelchair and I have very limited verbal skills, but painting has taught me how to express myself. I like to watch art classes on YouTube and attend the classes at school. The most wonderful thing about art is creating shapes and using a variety of colors to create abstract art.

Amanda
Different Strokes for Different Folks
NFS

My disability is bipolar disorder and arts and crafts make me feel good. I am self-taught and enjoy the process of creating art.

Deborah
Two Crosses
$20

I have faced many obstacles in my life related to my mental illness. Since I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, I have struggled with symptoms related to my illness and hospitalizations. I have also struggled because I do not feel like people listen to those who have a mental illness. I have overcome many challenges in my life. One challenge I have overcome is overeating and now I have a healthier lifestyle. I also have become more independent and continue to work to be completely independent. I am a self-taught artist, I taught myself how to draw, color, and paint. I enjoy art because it is fun. I also enjoy using art and creativity as a coping skill. I especially enjoy painting as it has become a way for me to express myself.

Mickey
Yellow Cow
$8,000,000

I have schizophrenia and it was a challenge for me to get well again. I really wanted to get over the schizophrenia and I have been able to feel better now with painting. When I attended school each day with my friends, I was able to feel better. I also feel better when I take my medication and I’ve realized its importance. Coming to treatment has helped me a lot and now I get to have a lot more freedom because I live in an apartment. I am now able to clean my own apartment and take care of myself. I started doing art because it helps me with my self-control. I like to paint on my own so I can have some personal time to myself. I made this painting because it was the first thing that came to my mind and it reminds me of my family's house.

Robert
A House to Live in

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was 19 and I have struggled daily, in every area of my life. The biggest struggles is because of my anxiety and psychosis. I am trying to do better by taking medicine and using coping skills. I have been able to stay out of the hospital for a while, by going to day treatment and living in a group home. I will probably be in the home for the rest of my life, but that's ok, I'll make the best of it. I cooperate with staff and peers and I am friendly. A quick fact about me, is that I’m a huge Alabama fan, hence the reason of this painting.

Randy
Number One Fan
$10

My name is Andre and I have a mental illness diagnosis of schizophrenia. It has been hereditary throughout my family for years. Therefore, I've been taking day after day. I am a volunteer on the work crew at Adult Day Services and am working part-time at Auburn University as a stadium personnel. I use arts and poetry to keep my mind, body, and spirit from hearing harsh voices. I am doing pretty good, reading Bible scriptures and counting my blessings. So, as we all have problems and relationships, let's look to our communities and stick together for the united prayers above. Thank you for looking at my picture and reading my story.

Andre
Journey to Recovery
$20

My name is Yunteka and I have an intellectual disability with possible autism. I am learning how to make friends and how to keep away from people who bother me. Daydreaming is a challenge for me and I work hard to stay focused. I am a self-taught artist. Drawing and coloring has kept me focused and relaxed. I have taken art classes at other schools. I love art helps me express my thoughts and feelings.

"Precious Rainbow"

Yunteka

I am 26 years old and I have ADHD and autism. I used to have a problem with anger outbursts. I would yell and hit things. Now I use my coping skills and try to talk it out and solve problems. I often times will lay on the couch to myself calm down and relax. I like running and walking and playing games with my friends at day treatment program. I like to read, write, and do arts and crafts. I enjoy seeing other people smile, it makes me happy. I would like to go to college to be a social worker some day and help kids with problems like me. I enjoy drawing super heroes – I look up to them and want to be like them some day. My favorite characters are Batman, Superman, and X-men. I feel in love with art after drawing my dog for an art class. When I draw, I feel calm, relaxed, and happy.

Xzayvious Hooks
Flying Heart Rose
$10

My name is Chasie, the obstacles I have overcome are being angry so quickly. Art makes me feel quite and focused and helps me to think about positive things. It helps me stay focused on good things instead of negative things. The picture represents me and shows my potential to keep my goals and to do what is right. I also have learned how to handle myself with art. It settles my mind especially when I have bad thoughts. I first learned art in school at the age of six years old. I have continued to do art when I attended Nan Coley Mental Health in Alexander City. Miss Lucy at the center had me to draw things that I saw in the dark and she’s always complimented me on my talents. Because I’ve used art as an outlet, I’ve become a person who loves and enjoys all aspects of art.

Chasie
The Picture Boy
$60

I have worked very hard to manage my behavior and interact with my peers. One of the biggest challenges for me is learning how to control my diabetes. I enjoy learning about art from Bob Ross on television. Art has become a way to help relieve my stress and keep me busy.

Scott
Jesus is Alive and Well
$25

My name is Amber. I attend Vivian B. Adams School. I am quiet and reserved and enjoy the friends I have at school. I work every day on life skills to help me become more independent. I learned about art in the Art program at VBAS. I enjoy going into the art room, it is like a studio. I like learning about the different techniques.

Amber
Untitled
NFS

I live at a group home and attend The Arc of Clarke County day rehabilitation program where I enjoy painting, writing my name, spending time with others, listening to music and dancing. I love the color red. When I started attending the day program, I wouldn’t hold a marker or paintbrush at all, but I eventually gave it a try and now it’s what I prefer to do most days of the week. It gives me the chance to express myself since I do not use words to express myself – and I am very proud of every piece I make.

Ronnie
Spring Breeze
NFS

Hi my name is Willie and I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar since the age of one. I had faced this illness for a while now. The obstacles I have faced is dealing with death in my family and trying to stay in a stable home day by day. The challenges I have overcome in life is dealing with death and knowing that they are in a better place, along with moving out on my own to get back on my feet. As I recover I learned to be more independent by staying on my own and doing stuff on my own. I became an artist by watching my sisters and I taught myself how to draw. The reason I like the art is because it is an expression of myself that also help me with expressing my feelings.

Willie
Country Table
NFS

I live in my own apartment and attend the Arc of Clarke County Day Rehabilitation program, where I like being out in the community, spending time with other’s and listening to music. I like painting because it relaxes me and helps calm my nerves. My disability is limited because when I want to go visit my cousins they don’t have a ramp for me to roll on, but I encourage them to come to my house. Since I moved away from home, I have a lot of independency, and invested in technologies to help me in my home like Google and Alexa.

Matthew
Abstract
NFS

My name is Janie and I am a self-taught artist. If I see a picture in a book or magazine and I like it, I will paint it. I began attending the Day Program at the Arc of Walker County in 2015. I asked them if I could take painting lessons and they were delighted to help me achieve this goal. I love art because it is fun. I have arthritis and it helps me keep my hands moving. It is good therapy for me. My favorite things to paint are flowers, plants and animals. When I am painting, I feel calm and peaceful. Painting makes me happy.

Janie
Summer Bouquet
NFS

I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder (schizophrenia with mood swings) in 2007. When things are not going well I hear voices. Sometimes I have trouble with the telephone and voices without bodies are not my favorite things. I taught myself art and I can do both abstract and representational art, depending on where the mood takes me.

Anna
Why Does it to be People
NFS

My name is Devyn and I communicate nonverbally. I have an iPad talking device, but I won’t use it without prompting. I came to live in the Glenwood residential program when my parents began to have difficulty managing my behavior. Because I struggle with expression, I hit my head on things when I become frustrated, upset, or when I want something I am not getting. I have learned a lot about how to complete tasks, eating different foods, and communication. Right now I am in the transition program preparing for life as an adult with special needs. I face a lot of challenges as I become an adult and require a lot of special care and understanding from my caregivers. One way I have learned to express my emotions is through my art. I love using crayons and paper to create my art. The colors I use depend on my mood. Some days I will use all blacks or browns. On other days I use all one color, such as green. One thing about my art is, it’s never completely finished. I enjoy the feeling of completion from filling in all the white areas of a paper, and of using the last tiny scrap of crayon until I can no longer hold it with my fingertip. My art keeps me calm and gives me a way to give something back to the people around me.

Devyn
Butterfly
$20

One of the challenges I face is having an intellectual functioning disability. Despite my challenges, I love to learn new things, especially math. I like to share my knowledge and interact with my peers and I enjoy meeting new people. I started participating in art as a school activity. I enjoy the art room at VBAS and love to create something new projects. I am always excited to try new and interesting ways to create artwork and I enjoy using different techniques.

Shaquille
Hands
NFS

My name is Willie and I drew this picture for power. I wanted to show that we have power and that we are good people. The people who helped me are good people. I have been at ADS a long time, respecting the staff members and being a good man. We have to treat staff good and treat each other good. I learned that I do a great job of expressing myself. I like to paint and I like to draw. I like coloring everyday and I like to draw pictures of different things. When I draw, I raise my hands up, in Jesus Name.

Willie
Power
NFS

Sometimes it is hard for me to cope with being criticized since I have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have been nonverbal when I was a little boy but I overcame this challenge. I taught myself how to draw pictures and I had additional support from Studio by the Tracks. I like doing Christian artwork because it brings people close to God.

Lawrence
The Hebrew Children in the Fiery Furnace
$40

I’ve faced many obstacles, one is which is severe clinical depression. Another is dealing with schizoaffective disorder. Prayer and my faith in Jesus have been how I’ve gotten through all of my many hospitalizations and episodes. I’ve always been interested in drawing and painting. I took art classes I middle school and high school. I like the kind of art I do because it doesn’t really look like anything, so if I make a mistake, no one will know.

Kem
Bouncing Ball
$20

My name is Jhmiyas, I am 25 years old, from Dadeville, Al. I drew a picture of Michael Jackson because he is my favorite music artist. In this picture, Michael Jackson is on a stage at a concert singing the song "Human Nature" which is my favorite song that he sings. I started listening to Michael Jackson five years ago when I started attending Adult Day Services. One obstacle I have overcome in my life is knowing how to deal with my anger and keeping it under control. Drawing has been a good coping mechanism for me because it acts as a calming technique to decrease my anger. I began drawing cartoon character in high school and I like to consider myself self-taught. I hope to continue drawing in the future and creating more pictures of Michael Jackson.

Jhmiyas
Dancing like Michael Jackson

For many years I lived at home with my family and then I lived for a period of time in a group home. I was diagnosed with DS at an early age, but always dreamed of living in my own house. Over ten years ago this dream came true for me when I was able to move into an apartment and live independently. I enjoy having my own space and having my family and friends over to visit.I attend the ARC of Clarke County and participate in a group called the Crafty Gals. We make many craft items and sell them at different events including the Disability Conference each year. It is fun learning how to make new items and going different places to sell them. Occasionally, we have a local artist to come to our group and teach us how to do different kinds of painting techniques. It makes me proud seeing my art hanging in my own home, knowing that I created.

Deleatha
Enchanted Wood
NFS

My name is Joan and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 14 years old. I have constant ups and downs in my life and it is very hard to open up to people. I have a hard time sharing my feelings with family and friends. I have lived in residential homes such as Colebeck lodge and this helps me to be more independent. I stayed there for one year. I would paint and draw pictures as an outlet to help cope with my symptoms from mental illness. I learned in a class from school how to use art when feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Joan
Zoo Animals
$20

I have faced many obstacles in my life such as getting divorced, having a car accident, and especially being diagnosed with mental illness. I have a diagnosis of bipolar-disorder with depressive episodes. I have found that by using art as therapy, I have been able to minimize my co-dependence and depression. I have been able to self-teach some art techniques and aid in my recovery. Art helps to lessen my mood swings and helps to express my feelings.

Carla
Inspiring
$5

My name is Ursula, and I enjoy helping my mother, dancing to my favorite beats and being with family and friends. I’ve been diagnosed with intellectual disability and I also battle high blood pressure. It has been a challenge to keep my blood pressure in normal range.  I try to eat healthy and exercise – as this truly does take hard work and determination. I take art classes at Vivian B. Adams School and art makes me happy!!

Ursula
Untitled
NFS

I’ve been painting for nine years, and I use acrylic paint to express and cope with my bipolar depression. My mom and boyfriend have helped me battle my condition, and they too have helped me to deal with my feelings of hopelessness. I find myself in dark places but my medications are helping me to feel better. I go to therapy where they too have helped me be a better person, and my friends also do a good job at being by my side. I have faith in a higher power – the man above and if it weren’t for him I would never be here today. He saved me because when I think back on the past, there were times when I thought I wouldn’t be here today, he saves me every time and I thank him for that as well.

Brandi
The Blue Mist
$400

Life is but an obstacle. I have been given the ability to self-teach my how to do art. I love to draw and use anime as my foundation for my drawings.

Keith
Breton Hero
$15

My mental illness began to manifest itself when I was 19 years old. I began cutting and burning myself with cigarettes. I didn't get help for my self-harming behavior and it steadily progressed throughout the years. Culmination in 2003 with third-degree burns to both hands and a 33 day hospital stay at the University of Alabama Birmingham Burn Ward. After that time I was given intensive treatment and I had come to terms with my mental illness. I began to take medications regularly, and started going to therapy. I was eventually able to receive treatment and therapy at a mental health center. Two years ago my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and my world fell apart again. She had been my biggest supporter and best friend. When she passed away I had no direction in my life and felt I had nothing to live for. An instructor at my mental health facility began to teach acrylic painting in a wellness class and I've been painting since that time. For the past two years I’ve been painting, which has become a source for me to release stress and anxiety. I am forever grateful for the experience I have been given.

Jeff
Celestial Angel
$125