Continuous 08 – Depression
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I have been battling depression all my life. I am in the middle of a pretty bad bout right now and have no reason. Furthermore I don’t see this Continuous theme continuing much longer. The inspiration is just gone. We’ll see what plays out. Maybe I will go back to doing borders. I have a feeling the Angry Tubers are all done too.
Sorry for the mood.
Nikira 5:36 am on September 1, 2011 | #
Hi Boo, I really like it. It looks like liquid metal. I am reading book on Pen and Ink technique and fascinated by different strokes. Yours very expressive. I live inside my shell and be glad to be in touch.
kathleen 7:33 am on September 1, 2011 | #
I feel for you…keep those pens/pencils moving….do borders, dots, w/e!……
Uncle Bob 1:16 am on September 2, 2011 | #
Nikira and Kathleen are advocating that you keep going with your art. Can I also subscribe to this. You might think that your recent themes are finished but think again. Its not WHAT YOU DO – its the fact that you SHOULD DO. Really sorry you are down at the moment. Been there myself. Things DO work out – HONEST!!!
amystace 1:34 pm on September 2, 2011 | #
Hi Boo, sorry to hear you’re down
I really identify with this image, it reminds me of this doodle I produced when I was last feeling very low: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amystace/5720200890/
The worst thing about depression for me is that it takes away your enjoyment of the things that normally distract you. For me this means that I desperately want to draw. I know that being really into a drawing is the only thing that stops the negative thoughts. When I’m completely absorbed in a drawing there is no room for any thoughts. Like a mini holiday from inside my own head. But it becomes almost impossible to draw. All the ideas that normally come along and seem to drive themselves just dry up. I end up sitting and staring at the paper, pen in hand but no idea what I’m doing. This just adds to my negative thoughts and general feeling of failure. I have recently discovered a way around this that seems to work for me. I draw very tight, detailed, repetitive patterns. That way I only have to think of one small element which can then be repeated to fill a whole page. I can then get lost in the detail giving me that break that I need for a few hours.
Keep drawing, don’t stress yourself over feeling you must achieve something. Remember it is not the end result that is important but simply the act of taking the pen for a walk. Just keep filling those pages and at some point you will start to like what you are producing again and the inspiration will come back to you.
Hope you start feeling better soon.
Boofredlay 9:41 am on January 8, 2012 | #
amystace, I appreciate the kind words and encouragement. I wish I had seen your comment sooner but I was away for a while and forgot to check back on all my submissions. Thanks again.