RedBubble

well said. i found being a builder was more satisfying than being in an office for precisly that reason – you could at the end of the day, stand back and see some physical manifestation of your efforts..
art is supremely healing, and from what wounds we need to be healed from, each artist has their own storyboard to show us.

nice post martin. look forward to seeing the pics of the glass blowin efforts.

“Depression, for me and I think for many, sinks in when I am no longer creating. Or even worse when I constantly measure what I create by what others think of if it or what it may achieve”.......oh so true…thanks so much for sharing Martin!!! :-)

My art always expresses my feelings xxxx

well said. without being able to create life would be depressing.

Thoughts well worth pondering.
Art for many artists, is motivated by a need to escape the self, by expressing the self…kind of like piercing a wound to release the pressure of infection.
Creativity errs on the side of madness, one could say.
For so many, momentum keeps you one step ahead of depression.

Depression, for me and I think for many, sinks in when I am no longer creating. Or even worse when I constantly measure what I create by what others think of if it or what it may achieve.

oh my god you read my mind!

damn the non working quote box!!

Farm work isn’t art? Not even the planting? The bringing forth life.. the smell of the earth, the balancing of nature, like a wild juggling act?

I’m not sure .. why would painting an image of a barn be of more creative and social significance than building the barn, staffing it, and then keeping it going?

Yes, it’s my bed time. Goodnight!

Hi Pligrim

I know exactly what you are talking about, I have two loves in my life my family and my photography, both of these help me see a different future a different past and keeps me sane.

art is and that’s what makes it so

the darkest parts of who we are are the hardest to accept.

Well said Martin!
I hope you enjoy your Glass Glowing course, come to think of it… I thought it would’ve been glass blowing?
Oh well, off to Google I go! :D

...Depression hasn’t got a chance when I pick up my camera and go for a walk with nature…it calms the soul…so many artforms and such a short lifetime to explore them!!
Well written…

Paul

Ah glass glowing/blowing. That was a funny typo now fixed.

Redbubble has healed a lot of hurting people….....it is (as I have said on many occasions) a wonderful community…...... Good luck with the course. :)

very well written and said

I believe that art does have the amazing ability to lift us up above ourselves as we execute it. However after creating for many years I came to the profound understanding that art is not me. It has my characteristics and influence and talents but when I look back over the years and see what drives me, I came to the opinion that there is something deeper and more resilient in my character that defines who I am when I am stripped back and no one else sees, what keeps me going? Its really interisting to ask the question “Who am I really’. Then to define self love, love of others and art around that. Once separating the two, I believe the motor that drives the ship becomes much stronger and more stable and the highs and lows are much less creatively driven. I believe that I have now a greater freedom to create, and a greater sense of creativity, having looked deeper and separated the two.

The sneaky thing about depression is that it lures you to walk down a parallel path, like a wall of trick mirrors. The depression tells you that you can’t create because you’re depressed. When, in fact, that is the only cure. A very circular dilemma. I am very thankful for Redbubble as it has given me a forgiving forum of encouragement, and the motivation to try again.
Thank you to everyone again and again. – Mardra

Your openess is very moving and I agree that without being able to express ourselves , especially in art & to be viewed, apreciated – the world would be very dark indeed.
And I’ve been to see glass blowing. It was like being reborn in fire as I watched.

Here Here ! Everyone else has said it all cheers

Depression inspires creativity in ways unique to each creator… and may it continue to do so. When we can take a risk and share our creativity with others (as we do here on RB), healing can and does occur, which again can inspire new waves of creativity.

There’s an old saying; (It’s an Art in it’s self!) I guess no matter what you build, create, finish and then stand back and reflect. It’s the sense of achievement and satisfaction this is what matters. EJ.

I understand, as one who has not just survived but grown through over 35 years of dark depression, I have to say that one MUST have an external focus. Be it building/art/writing/whatever. navel gazing is unhealthy as well as unproductive. BUT, do not fall into the trap of starting to see your worth in only what you can do. You are valuable for who you are. :)

I grew up with the saying…”If you always do, what you always did, you’ll always get, what you always got”...My grandmother said that was fine if you wanted a pie to turn out the same way everytime…but in life at large, it can keep many of us from exploring new things and trying on different colors.
I have to agree that RB is showing me new things about myself and my art forms and although it isn’t the only avenue of inspiration, everyday opens a new chapter as I see how this huge and vast community is taking on life and how they view it.
Nice personal entry for all of us to read…Thank you!

These comments are why I love Red Bubble…I’m going to go cry for a moment….but there are some of you I love as deeply as if I’d known you for years in person….The compassion and support is unlike anything I’ve run across before….......

We as artists teeter on the fine line between sanity and falling over the brink, but I think that is what gives our work the depth it contains. I also think that we, moreso than the vast majority know ourselves more fully. I myself find as others here have mentioned, seem to express more when dealing with a bout of depression. I find it intriguing that we also tend to mimic nature itself with our storms, sunny days, hot, cold, etc. all that feeds the torment of sorts that drives us, or at least me. I agree Ginger, I have only been a member for a couple days, but have found RB to be a good mix of personalities. I have tried more than a few sites in the past…all without satisfaction. Between the ease of use here and the support, compassion, encouragement, and passion…even if I don’t end up selling any work it will have been a wonderful experience, and I will be that much better for having had it. And so the experience continues… excuse my rantings ;o) it’s late and sleep calls

A few years ago I sufferred terrible depression. Becoming part of GROW
enabled me to work my way slowly out. Another was art. I created a Black Sheep character who is quite happy with his black sheep status. Black Sheep may even migrate onto redbubble ;)

Hear! Hear! Martin, you always write it so well…...art is an expression of our deepest selves….. I enjoy your “journals” ;-)
Having learned the power and passion in being creative, I have often wondered how others express or examine these same facets of self….I realize now, that often, it is a person’s “work” that becomes the expression of these things …..how many people who never would call themselves artists, have a gift for the job they do and their passion and power is channelled into their career or industry or daily tasks…....and they do it with love and pride and get as much back from it (I hope) as artist’s do from their craft….

BRAVO AND ENCORE

The Creator left us with a gift, The ability to create ourselves.
Well written!
mike

Statement: “I’ve suffered depression all my life.” there, I’ve said it :-)

I don’t think that I’ve visited RB for a week, I come back to try and get on top of the backlog of comments and see this. I never for a moment realised that there were so many sufferers out there on RB. I can’t read many of the journals because as maximus has said, navel gazing is pretty dangerous and although I feel for like sufferers, it seems somehow to compound my suffering when I feel that I have nothing to offer and hear how bad others have it.

I’ve been pretty good this last year, despite open heart surgery but I’ve lapsed…..........last week I finally manged to get my autistic son a day release from school to do job experience at a animal refuge centre. He was really looking forward to it but when we got there, we were confronted by some rather unsavoury looking youths with tattoos on their necks and forehead. “what the fuck have you done”, said one to my boy, who looked as if he was about to break into tears.

Apparently, they were doing community service and thought my son had also been sent there by the courts. I took my boy home as he was devastated in case someone thought he was a criminal.

That was it…..............I was fucked for the week…sat on my arse moping thinking how cruel the world was and about to slide down again

Today, the school sent a teachers aid to accompany him to the refuge and he had a ball…...........now I’m up again :-)

They say you can’t live your lives through your kids but in many depression sufferers that I’ve met, their depression is grounded in their childhood….......or lack of it…......and if they see/feel similar events happening to their kids as happened to them in their past, then that’s a major trigger for another bout.

I also suffer Social Anxiety Disorder which is a major trigger for my depression so niowadays my socialising is done online…..........sad bastard aren’t I? :-)

What the hell am I trying to say? Dunno? but thanks Martin, I will get off my arse and take some pictures tomorrow….............after I’ve taken my boy to the animal refuge.

Hang on in there folks…................ and go create!

kev

Well said! I love David Sedaris’ writings and reflections as well. I believe art has the power to heal. I also believe that art is a process rather than a finished work and we can find it in anything that we do with intention… even pouring concrete :)

Oh well ! life would not be worth living without Art hun ;} hugzz

I applaud you for making this statement “Or even worse when I constantly measure what I create by what others think of if it or what it may achieve.” ...many wouldn’t. but many would empathize with it…in this to often result orientated society its overlooked that while results may feed the personality….creation feeds the soul..! bravo on this wonderfully poignant and insightful post ! Rick

Hear, Hear i hear you and that’s why i love RB coz you guys are not afraid to tell us how you feel too, you don’t feel like guys stuck in an office trying to get money/fame etc…..you’re human LOL.

My photography is the only reason i am able to crawl out of the pit i regularly find myself in and i thank God for that. I’m like kev above (bidkey) i suffer from depression, social anxiety disorder and also Idealism so RB has been brilliant for me, my own little bubble i can choose who to talk to or not when i want to talk and i don’t suffer from the dribbling and sweating i get sometimes when i talk to people (no more wet t-shirts woo-hoo) LOL.
I love photography and RB and the people who make it up…..oh no i’m getting soppy time to go LOL….......thanks though!!!!

Art sometimes helps us understand the dark places we are in. Sometimes that helps.

Quote: “Art sometimes helps us understand the dark places we are in. Sometimes that helps.”

Yeah, I think that is why I focus primarily on landscapes…........they help me escape…..........to wide open spaces.

The shot I took recently of a homeless guy, dragged me down quite a bit, but I just had to take it….....a form of self harm?...............who knows?

I do love “fun pics” though….........not particularly an art form or a means of expressing but simply seeing others having fun, gives me a lift…....particularly of kids.

kev

All i know art lifts me up when I feel down and I paint how I feel buts its so relaxing and its great being on a site with other people who are the same, at least you know your not alone and there is other people like you and always thanks to my friend Kevin who gave me this site.

All i know art lifts me up when I feel down and I paint how I feel buts its so relaxing and its great being on a site with other people who are the same, at least you know your not alone and there is other people like you and always thanks to my friend Kevin who gave me this site.

I was listening to David Serdaris being intervieWed on the radio the other day….....very nice bloke!

Comment No 1,358,271 (which no-one will read) but who cares? We do art for the same reason we do life…. ‘cause it’s there! Art is about expressing who we are and how we feel about what we experience – our reaction to life. But not all we experience needs to be reacted with art – ‘cause the art will be dark and will pull us into the pit of despair created by self-pity by feeding on itself (like a whirlpool). Sometimes some of what we experience needs to be rejected outright and we need to turn our focus on that which which causes an uplifting of our soul and express the art that that inspires – which I believe, it what lifts us out of the pit.

To me, there are two things that are fundamental to the human soul, 1) we all need to be cherished, and 2) we all need to express ourselves but it is up to us to realise that 1), we are, and 2), we can – thanks to family, friends and RedBubble !:)

“Hours can pass in the creation with my mind at rest.” you wrote. I relate, but believe that while creating, our minds are only then being used. The process is effortless when we are “in the zone” because we are connecting to our higher selves. Not to confuse with our brains, but our Mind is in league with Truth and Love. Use your mind to create, but create to use your mind.

I cancelled my appointment with my shrink, today. shrug

Anxiety or despondency sinks in when I am no longer creating. Or even worse when I constantly measure what I create by what others think of if it or what it may achieve.

This is so true! Creating is like a life line out of the dark depths.

Art – chocolate for the soul.

“Art is the song of the soul.” The effort of creating is sometimes more rewarding than the end result. It is extremely healing as all the artists above have said but it is an individual cure for each. Good Luck Martin, with your glass blowing. Don’t sneeze while you’re doing it cause it can be a real “PANE.”

Not all of my art is cathartic. In fact I liken some of it to picking at a scab; it hurts and will likely leave a scar but you do it anyway and somewhere within it’s carelessness is some measure of healing. Some of my art, especially writing, picks at the scabs of others as well. Good art, for better or worse, is always provocative and if it weren’t for the oh so wonderful madness, we would all be as so many identical toy soldiers lined up to do battle that just doesn’t matter.
Good post, Martin.

ART SETS ME FREE! THIS PLACE HAS HELPED ME WITH MY RACING MIND AND ANXIETY. IT IS A HOME, THANK YOU GUYS FOR EVERYTHING.

Hooray for art and its embrace!
Thank you for this post and for RedBubble!

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing! memac

I’ve just joined a week or so ago and I am amazed at the many kindred spirits I feel are here. I know that sounds a little fluffy but after reading through all of your comments I feel at home with people who understand what it is like to live through depression and the darkness it brings to life …. but I totally agree that creativity is a way out . I’m not all that great at photography in fact not at all … just started… but I know it gets me outside and I feel at peace as I photograph scenery or flowers or the sunshine and sunsets. I feel like any kind of creativity sets your spirit free from anything holding your spirit captive.. My sisters and I just finished a mural on the cement block wall of my parents garage and it was such a blast to use paints and just create our own little world with plants and animals and a river and mountain. It was the best therapy I’ve had in years and I have had years… well I’m revealing a little too much here… I guess I just wanted to agree with all that has been said and say hi to all who appreciate art in any form… even a beginner.’s art Ü

Well written Pilgrim…..and thank God for respite called RedBubble!!

RedBubble has obviously helped so many bubblers reawaken or discover their creative sides, encouraged them to put creativity among the top 3 important things in life, soothed lonely souls and also sent lots and lots of smiles and laughs throughout the virtual world.

Depression is not only a lonely and sad illness, it makes you incredibly tired and worn out. Everything is too hard to do, especially living. Anything that helps heal this horrible illness that so many suffer from is a wonderful thing. Long Live RedBubble and their incredible Elves!!

Martin, have a fantastic time creating stuff from glass!!! I expect to see photos of fire, bulging red hot glass and fantastic finished creations!!! But have lots of fun too!!

:D

in reflection you still have yet to respond to an email i sent you 3 weeks ago, thanks guys!

I created some of my best poems when I was in my peak sadness at different times in my life. Depression has been a reality for me for 4 years. Photography is a passion I have but it seems I have artist’s block as I can’t think of subjects that inspire me lately. My kids are my best subjects at times however whenever I raise my camera to shoot, My son covers his face!!! My youngest has been my model many times but tires of it quickly. I opened my own photography business this year but still haven’t made a dime!!

From all these responses, there is common experience and art comes out of it. Maybe there is an opportunity here for a group to explore this more…

Me!! (Do NOT feel sorry for me) came out of five years of PTSD. With the help of family
and friends put me back on track!! looking forward to my music and photography!!BUT?
If there was no goal where would I be?
People write about depression-mental health, there is a switch in all of us that can be
pressed, and you,ve gone into the black hole of No return!!??
Until you,ve been there!!!!!!!!!! you do not know what its about!!!
I am now back on track and can escape into my own world of music and photoraphy,
some people can,t. !!
Thankyou REDBUBBLE :- You helped!!

The greatest civilizations started with men with vision and art !!

Hey! even meth head’s need an outlet.shhooooooooouuuwww!

Watch the docu movie : “The cats of Mirikitani” about how one man coped with life’s trials and tribulations through his art. It’s just wonderful.