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Linda Buchanan's avatar

J, apologies for the length. But there is a point.

I have a friend - in truth, he is a young man (well, young to me - now 41 or 42, I imagine, the same age my son would have been) who was a close friend of my older son when they were in high school, the years in which my son's SMI began to emerge. Most of Nick's friends could not understand or relate to the transformation in behavior, appearance, everything, that Nick exhibited, and they withdrew after his psychotic break. They were teenagers. But not David. Because David was - and very much is - a gifted artist. He viewed - and views - the world through a different lens.

Later, in college, David sustained a serious traumatic brain injury. His life changed. He was not able to follow his dream of supporting himself through his beautiful landscape watercolors and acrylic or pen and ink character portraits. He took a full-time job in a helping profession, assisting clients as a job coach, a public employee. But each day, during his coffee breaks or lunch, he used the materials and small bits of time available to him to do art. Those materials were completely limited to 3"x3" Post-It notes and office pens and highlighters. That was it, that was all. They were not even his, only common office supplies.

And David made the most beautiful, intricate, miniature art - portraits of people and animals, abstract designs. *I should note here that David is also a smart techie, good at websites, etc.

David has since gone on to leave the ft job (too much stress, I think), and opened an on-line shop. His shop offers those same 3x3 sticky office note designs on everything - enlarged, matted and framed, unframed, as pillows, home decor, posters, stationery, t-shirts, greeting cards, canvas totes, just - anything, everything. With his beautiful, colorful, unique images.

Like you, David is an Artist. Not highly successful or recognized, on a path that diverted from his dream, but he is putting beautiful things, beautiful art, into the world - simple, humble art that is not very expensive, but is bringing joy, beauty, reverence, humor, even heroes to others - sharing his peace, the peace he has found his way to in creating his art. And - he is supporting himself in doing it.

You can do this. Simply, beautifully, starting small and building up as you choose. Supporting yourself and your family in expanding, growing, fearless ways. Rock on, Josie - you go. Slowly, gently, thoughtfully, carefully, as energy and time allow. After all, why not? The Internet was made for you.

This is David's artist statement:

"It's as simple as this, I have to create. Whether it be creation via drawing or painting, it is in my marrow, and has been ever since I was a child. Truthfully, I have no clue why or where the impulse began, but I have followed it and tried my best to stay true to it throughout my life. Everything from Logical Thoughts, Observations, Spirituality and Mysticism, Diverse Muses, Messy Complicated Emotions, and Gonzo Curiosities act as impetuses in my creative process, and have resulted in me pursuing several different drawing and painting genres. Each drawing and painting I create does have a personal story, and if asked I'm sure I could unfurl a flowery digression on the psycology of each piece, but underneath it all, it is very simple: a pure unquenchable desire to create."

Remind you of anyone? His name is David Weinholtz, look him up. You can find his work on fineartamerica.com and his own website on pixels.com. And he started very, very, VERY small. I love him very much, as did Nick.

Thank you, Josie. You gift us with your grace under fire, and just plain simple straight-up - grace.

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Cat's avatar

Courage, Josie! And sending you good tummy vibes.

I’ve been enjoying your paintings. Have you thought about having them made into greetings cards as well as prints?

Cat

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