Starting to talk.

Depression starts as a niggle at the back of your mind. Something inside there doesn’t feel quite right. You try to ignore it. Tell it to go away and get on with your life, but you know you can’t relax. You know it will be back and it terrifies you.

The itch over time develops a voice telling you, ‘you can’t, you shouldn’t, bad things will happen. Yes that’s right all your worst nightmares are true. That’s why you didn’t succeed. Yes that person does think that of you. Yes they are right. Yes it is all your fault’.

The voice gets stronger and it’s all you can hear. It overwhelms you. You feel frozen to the spot, gripped by fear. The depression takes you by the hand and leads you into anxiety, self-hatred, and guilt. Everything you believed in turns black. You feel stupid for believing, didn’t you always know it was hopeless. You try and numb the pain, fill the void, bargain with unknown forces to make it stop. Then it feels right. Isn’t this what you always deserved?

This is what it can feel like when someone is suffering with depression. Everyone is different. I was lucky I had the love and support of my family. They would hold me until the worst was over. They would listen until I was spent. I also asked repeatedly for help. Initially I did it for my family, why should they always get the worst of me? I also decided that I wanted to live. I wanted better than this. I had dreams I wanted to achieve and a future I wanted to see. I wanted to see all our futures. 

Depression is a silent killer. I believe depression and anxiety are far wider spread than any statistics would have us believe. Everyday small things and stress levels can affect our happiness. These things can build up and change our behavior and our ability to cope.

 If you know someone who is suffering make sure they know they are not alone. Listen to them and help them to get help.

If you are suffering small steps can help like slowing down and listening to yourself. Examine how you feel and ask yourself why do you feel like this and why are you making these decisions. Often the choice that makes you happy requires no thought because the decision is easy.

I worked on my mental health for a long time. It took a lot of talking, a lot of honesty and asking myself some tough questions but I feel the best I have ever felt.

Everyone has the right and deserves to feel happy and safe.

Ring Samaritans free on any phone on 116123

www.samaritans.org    www.mind.org.uk

Seaside Treasures at Art Jam Studios in Caversham.

So pleased to have my 'Seaside Treasures' Series exhibited at the wonderful Art Jam Studios in Caverversham. For more detals go to www.artjamstudio.co.uk

Mini Masterpieces in support of Launchpad.

Have you ever wanted to own an affordable orginial artwork that will fit nicely into your home no matter how much space you have? Have you ever wanted to donate to Launchpad who support Reading people and families who are homeless or vulnerable to homelessness? Well now's your chance! 

For a limited time I am selling orginial, signed, miniature versions of artworks I have created. Some featured in my recent show Perspectives at Espacio Gallery in Shorditch. Any money after the first £5 will be donated to Launchpad to support the amazing work they do. There are two levels of support you can give;

1. Buy one original signed piece which is roughly postcard size for £10.
£5 will be donated to Launchpad.

2. Buy one original signed piece roughly postcard size plus two art cards for £20.

£15 will then be donated to Launchpad.

It really is as simple as that!

All work being sold in support of Launchpad is from my 'Immerse Yourself' project. Bring some colour and sunshine into your home! The images that are for sale in my Etsy shop - the link is below are below. Or choose the image you want and get in touch using the Contact Form on the right hand side of this blog. To find out more about Launchpad and the vital work they do go to

www.launchpadreading.org.uk

To buy artwork and donate go to www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ArtMadeFromMemories

Launchpad Murals for Salvaion Army Reading.

In January the Launchpad Artists were asked to paint large murals for the Salvation Army's new communal garden. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time painting our large wooden boards (roughly  5 metres wide x 1.5 metres high) since we began in February. The project turned into a collaboration between Salvation Army and Launchpad residents who brainstormed ideas, planned and produced the beautiful artwork. We are so proud of what everyone has made and are so excited to see them in the garden once they are all installed.

'Immerse Yourself Series' in Perspectives at Espacio Gallery.

'Immerse Yourself 1'

So proud to have my work back at Espacio Gallery, Bethnal Green. A wonderful experience as always.

 

'Immerse Yourself 2'

'Immerse Yourself 3'

'Immerse Yourself 4'

Seasons Art Class Spring 2018.

We have had an amazing three months during Seasons Art Classes Spring term. The Artists have worked so hard and produced some stunning artwork culminating in our end of term exhibition. 

During the course artists have experimented with a wide variety of dry and wet mediums including oil pastels, coloured crayons, watercolours, acrylic paints, ink pens, mixed media and collage. We give artists the freedom to experiment in a relaxed environment with plenty of support on hand.

If our friendly group sounds like it's for you, contact Seasons Art Class Camberley on 

01962 676360.

A Dream catcher for Launchpad's Big Sleep Out September 2017

The Launchpad Art Group were asked to make an interactive project for Launchpad's annual fund raising event The Big Sleep Out. The Big Sleep Out is an opportunity for members of the public to sleep rough safely to raise money to help people who are homeless, or at risk at being homeless in Reading.

The Launchpad artists decided to make a large dream catcher during their regular art classes, researching how to make it and working as a team to decorate it. Members of the public who were sleeping rough were invited to write a message for the people they were helping to support offering messages of hope and positivity.

For more information about Launchpad and how to support this really important cause go to www.launchpadreading.org.uk