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QueenieSenior Contributor
So this is a rough pic of a painting I did a few years ago. I miss painting and producing artwork. This one was framed up and sold to a brand new mental health unit in Queensland in 2012. Should I get back into it? I used to paint a lot of nudes from life, if I could get enough models to sit for me. I obviously won't post pics of those because they aren't appropriate here.
In response to: My artwork - should I get back into it?
MazaritaSenior Contributor
Yes! Your art is spectacular! 
In response to: My artwork - should I get back into it?
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: My artwork - should I get back into it?
QueenieSenior Contributor
Thanks @Mazarita and @Former-Member.
@Former-Member I used to create therapy pieces which would be destroyed after I took a photo of them. I stopped doing it because it just got too expensive to keep doing on a tight budget. That's when I decided to do some for sale. I have never made a profit from them, but I figure if I get enough to buy paint, then I'll keep on going.
Recently however, I discovered some of my best and favourite work has been stolen from my storage facility I had whilst homeless. Devastating, as some of it chronicles my challenges in life... mental health, homelessness, exploring my sexuality and "coming out". I still have photos of them all though thankfully. I need to get started on making my studio up (it's all in boxes since moving house).
I find the process of producing art rewarding, and I figure it is high time I did something rewarding in my life.
In response to: My artwork - should I get back into it?
KurraSenior Contributor
In response to: My artwork - should I get back into it?
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: My artwork - should I get back into it?
MazaritaSenior Contributor
The only pitfall I've ever experienced with creativity is not doing it, for whatever reason. Creativity is intimately connected with life itself. Engaging with it gives us more life. There can be lots of bumps along the way, extremely difficult times with it, and periods of not doing it for whatever reason (we are not perfect in relation to art, after all). But the expressivity of it, even when not directly autobiographical, is so liberating (even for a fairly 'tight' person like myself). The biggest block I ever encountered was writer's block. I tried to slog through it for years and then decided I was just writing in the wrong form. It's a journey, a profound and spiritual thing. And there's an everyday, 'in the moment', element that is so important too. Excuse me for raving on. As you can tell, I dig creativity. 
In response to: Re: My artwork - should I get back into it?
QueenieSenior Contributor
I can understand that @Former-Member. When I was going through the time period when I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a lot of my artwork and poetry and other intelluctual property of mine was used without my permission at various stages of my recovery. Most of the time, I was too unwell to put up much of a protest. It did indeed leave a bad taste in my mouth, but I had to remember why I produced the art to start with. It was to give me a sense of purpose and give me a sense of joy.
In response to: Re: My artwork - should I get back into it?
QueenieSenior Contributor
I dig creativity too @Mazarita 😄
In response to: My artwork - should I get back into it?
KurraSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: My artwork - should I get back into it?
Unknown userMember
Wow @Queenie
That is amazing! I've found myslef being captivated by your piece. I'd love to see more, please keep us posted of your developments 🙂
It sounds like your art has played a part in your journey, what does your art mean to you?
Does art provide you with benefits? I'm feeling intriguided 🙂
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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