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SUSTAINED INVESTIGATION
SUSTAINED INVESTIGATION
How do I create a visual depiction of what different mental health challenges look and feel like?
After collecting feedback from 13 surveys, conducting extensive research, and compiling a collection of pieces, I attempted to depict what mental health challenges feel like to the best of my ability. I created pieces based on Multiple Personality Disorder, Body Dysmorphia, Depression, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, ADHD, Sensory Overload Disorder, Generalized Eating Disorders, Addiction, Schizophrenia, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I also included two pieces that focus on the idea of negative self-talk and self-harm.
I demonstrated growth throughout this year by gaining a deeper understanding of various mental health challenges and how to effectively represent them, moving beyond stereotypes and incorporating symbolism in my pieces. I experimented with several different mediums including makers, acrylic paint, stamp making, collage, chalk, oil pastels, etc. I worked to push myself to create more complex and thought-provoking pieces. My goal is to bring awareness to what mental health challenges actually feel like.
PORTFOLIO
PORTFOLIO
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment to daily life.
Dimensions: 20 inches x 16 inches
Materials: Canvas, Paintbrushes, Acrylic Paint, Graphite Pencil, Fine Tip Marker, Eraser, Duct Tape
Process: Research, took reference photo, painted woman, added duct tape
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER
A chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
Dimensions: 24 inches x 18 inches
Materials: Research, Acrylic Paint, Mod Podge, Newspaper Clippings, Canvas, Paintbrushes, Pencils, Sketchbook
Process: White base, multi-colored brush stokes, various textured paint techniques, newspaper clipping
INTERMITTENT EXPLOSIVE DISORDER
INTERMITTENT EXPLOSIVE DISORDER
A disorder involving repeated, sudden episodes of impulsive, aggressive, violent behavior or angry verbal outbursts in which you react grossly out of proportion to the situation.
Dimensions: 18 inches x 24 inches
Materials: Research, Acrylic Paint, Paint Brushes, Reference Photo, Canvas
Process: Created a unique and textured background using black and red, painted the woman over the background.
SENSORY OVERLOAD DISORDER
SENSORY OVERLOAD DISORDER
The overstimulation of one or more of the body's five senses.
Dimensions: 18 inches x 24 inches
Materials: Research, Acrylic Paint, Carved Stamp, Printing Ink, Markers
Process: Painted base layer via acrylic paint, carved and printed stamp, painted and drew over
EATING DISORDERS
EATING DISORDERS
A mental health condition characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions.
Dimensions: 16 inches x 20 inches
Materials: Notability App, Mod Podge, Acrylic Paint, Fine Tip Markers, Surveys, Nutrition Labels, Sharpies
Process: Drew sketch on iPad, Mod Podged on nutrition labels, Crossed out calorie count on nutrition labels, Painted figure
ADDICTION
ADDICTION
A brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences.
Dimensions: 16 inches x 20 inches
Materials: Survey Responses, Oil Pastels, Chalk, Acrylic Paint, Mod Podge, Pencils, Newspaper
Process: Cut newspaper, Painted Background, Drew Still Life, Mod Podge Clippings, Wrote Addicts Negative Self-Talk
SCHIZOPHRENIA
SCHIZOPHRENIA
A serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Often seem like they have lost touch with reality.
Dimensions: 18 inches x 24 inches
Materials: Mod Podge, Sharpies, Newspaper Clippings, Scissors, Paintbrushes, Acrylic Paint, Fine Tip Markers
Process: Cut out Newspaper Clippings, Mod Podged them to Canvas, Wrote Schizophrenic Paranoid Thoughts, Painted Silhouette with Acrylic Paint and Added Detail with Fine Tip Marker
DISSOCIATIVE PERSONALITY DISORDER
DISSOCIATIVE PERSONALITY DISORDER
A disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states.
Dimensions: 12 inches x 9 inches
Materials: Watercolor, Fine Tip Marker, Acrylic Paint, Paint Brushes, Watercolor Paper, Grid Reference Photo
Process: Put tape around border, Painted face with watercolor and acrylic paint, Drew over with fine tip marker
BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER
A mental illness involving obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance.
Dimensions: 12 inches x 16 inches
Materials: Printed Body Shaming/Unhealthy Dieting Magazines, Mod Podge, Fine Tip Markers, Acrylic Paint
Process: Painted body and mold, Cut out painting from canvas, Mod Podged magazine covers, Glued original painting to canvas
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
A chronic mental health condition in which social interactions cause irrational anxiety.
Dimensions: 11 inches x 14 inches
Materials: Linoleum Block, Carving Tool, Sharpies, Printing Ink, Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Marker, Paintbrushes, Ink Roller, Sketch
Process: Research, Sketched Idea, Carved Linoleum Block with Carving Tool, Printed, Painted Figure with Acrylic Paint
SELF-HARM
SELF-HARM
Self-harm is when you hurt yourself as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences.
Dimensions: 10 inches x 8 inches
Materials: Markers, Pencils, Sketchbook, Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Glue, Past Personal Journal Entries, Research
Process: Drew and Colored Hands, Wrote Past Journal Entries in Background, Glued Embossing Powder and Applied Heat Tool
NEGATIVE SELF-TALK
NEGATIVE SELF-TALK
Any inner dialogue you have with yourself that may be limiting your ability to believe in yourself and your own abilities, and to reach your potential.
Dimensions: 10 inches x 8 inches
Materials: Sketchbook, Markers, Pens, Pencils, Research
Process: Drew and Colored Person, Colored Background, Wrote Out Negative Self-Talk
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