A year ago, I made a post about this mental illness, but I couldn't recover my old account. So here I come again, with new drawing ideas to show you!
I've been struggling with bipolar disorder since I was 16 years old, but I was diagnosed at 18. Talking about my mental health used to be very scary, so expressing my heart and mind with these black and white drawings became my way of surviving.
Today I'm 25 years old and even though I've become more assertive thanks to years of therapy and self-help, nothing feels as great as creating these intense pencil sketches... I get to feel relieved every time I finish an artwork, but the best part of making these drawings is getting people interested in bipolar disorder, inviting them to read more about it. I believe these cool drawings are a beautiful way to help, within my possibilities, to end stigma and discrimination against mental disorders.
More info: Instagram | Facebook
This post may include affiliate links.
Distress
Made in 2017. (Phase: depression)
I have loved drawing since I was maybe 3 or 4 years old. My family would gift me art materials and sometimes we would visit art museums so I could copy some of the artworks I liked, just for fun. When I turned 15 years old, I bought a set of graphite pencils, as I was deeply interested in learning how to draw realistic portraits.
At first, it felt like an impossible wish, but I practiced almost every day for two years. As a result, I learned different drawing techniques and I became a very observant person, but I still felt like there was something missing in my artworks. I think it wasn’t until 2018, when I was 24, that I started developing my own style by adding distortions to my drawings.
Identity
Made in 2016. (Phase: psychosis)
I come up with ideas when watching performance dancers, specially contortionist dancers. I believe that they express emotions very powerfully with their bodies. I enjoy doing that through my drawings as well, drawing expressive poses and adding visual distortions in order to express my state of mind.
Self-Stigma
Made in 2016. (Phase: depression)
Francis Bacon has been a great inspiration to me. I used to think that showing strong emotions in any way was something shameful or wrong. I also used to be deeply scared about people thinking that I have a disturbed mind, but I stopped caring about that since I saw Francis Bacon's artworks for the first time, in San Francisco.
I do think it's difficult to develop a unique artistic style nowadays. It is a long process to get there, and yet, maybe one day there will be someone found who makes something similar, but I don't think that is wrong. I believe in the collective conscience.
The response to my art has been very touching. My family and friends have been really supportive and I became friends with a few people who contacted me to tell how my artworks spoke to them.
I also got contacted by a film producer, so they could use one of my artworks on their mental health documentary, Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness. I never thought any of these things would happen. I'm really thankful.
Demoralized
Made in 2018. (Phase: mixed episode)
Manic
Made in 2013. (Phase: mania)
Broken
Made in 2012. (Phase: depression)
The look in the eyes is so very well captured. I understand that persons current deep feelings. So lost & scared
Phantom
Made in 2019. (Phase: depression/anorexia recovery)
Been there. 21 to 27 years old. Worst days of my life. I couldn't love myself for who I was. Then i had my beautiful daughter. She taught me to love myself. I pray your okay now too. I love your art.
I Am What I Have Always Hated
Made in 2011. (Phase: mixed episode)
Memories
Made in 2017. (Phase: mania)
Snowflake
Made in 2011. (Phase: depression)
I live with depression constantly and I recognize that look. I'm never gonna be good enough, I know I'm not enough, everything is just empty.
Destruction
Made in 2011. (Phase: mixed episode)
I live with BiPolar also, these works are incredibly moving, thankyou for sharing 🧡
These are beautiful in a haunting way, and i can almost feel what you feel through them... I've been struggling with anxiety and depression for a while now, and i'm a writer, so I've manifested my feelings through my writings many times, and i can relate to what you're going through... people's indifference about mental illness can often be worse than the illness itself.
I agree with you, it feels empty when nobody wants to understand or to care. I hope you're feeling better!
Load More Replies...you're kind of lucky to have been diagnosed so early in your life, so you can get the right treatment. and it's great you found a creative outlet! Amazing pictures, some remind of my own trials to get my feelings communicated into the world.
Thank you much for illustrating what is so difficult to put into words.
Thank you! I appreciate your comment!
Load More Replies...most definitely describe my emotions with my bipolar 2. I know 6, 8, and 11 like old friends.
It's a very difficult thing to draw feelings but especially those feelings that not everyone can directly relate to. However, you have an approach that can't fail to convey the stress, difficulty and pain we endure with this illness. My thanks and congratulations for raising awareness in this way. I hope your journey gets lighter each day.
Thank you for sharing, my granddaughter was just diagnosed with this . It has been so difficult for all of us that love her, but mostly difficult for her.
Thanks for the comment! I hope your granddaughter finds the way to cope and feel better!
Load More Replies...Thank you for sharing these. I found art to be my best outlet when I was diagnosed at 16, too. I'm not nearly as talented as you! These are amazing. I think you are a fantastic artist in the fight for understanding. You do us proud!
Thanks so much for the comment, it means a lot! I hope you keep on expressing yourself and also hope that you're doing fine!
Load More Replies...These are incredible. They are also startlingly relatable, I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder 18 years ago, but I've been battling it for most of my life not knowing what it was. Thank you for sharing with us. I hope our society gets to a better place andunderstanding of mental illness and
...to stop stigmatizing people because of it. People frequently say to just feel better, as if it's something that you can just wish away. Just because it's in my head, that doesn't mean "it's all in my head".
Load More Replies...I admire your ability to express your feelings with your art. Mine would be stick figures & that's not real expressive! Good for you!
So beautiful and scary at the same time, they capture the emotions perfectly. These are the kind of things I wish I had the talent to do, but instead I waste my time drawing cats. I just can't get the human body right lol. You have amazing skill.
Thank you very much! Sometimes I like drawing cute things too! Wishing you the best!
Load More Replies...I was looking for a new inspiration for my art as is something I only just started doing to deal with the grief reaction and when I thought of trying to draw inside my head I didn't even know where to start and drawings of yours here are so moving and inspiring and aptly titled to distinguish the specific perfect word for all the different emotions and I can't thank you enough
Just know there are people who care and all though they might be complete strangers. They can still listen, understand, and care for you. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm one of those strangers that does care and will listen. :)
These are beautiful in a haunting way, and i can almost feel what you feel through them... I've been struggling with anxiety and depression for a while now, and i'm a writer, so I've manifested my feelings through my writings many times, and i can relate to what you're going through... people's indifference about mental illness can often be worse than the illness itself.
I agree with you, it feels empty when nobody wants to understand or to care. I hope you're feeling better!
Load More Replies...you're kind of lucky to have been diagnosed so early in your life, so you can get the right treatment. and it's great you found a creative outlet! Amazing pictures, some remind of my own trials to get my feelings communicated into the world.
Thank you much for illustrating what is so difficult to put into words.
Thank you! I appreciate your comment!
Load More Replies...most definitely describe my emotions with my bipolar 2. I know 6, 8, and 11 like old friends.
It's a very difficult thing to draw feelings but especially those feelings that not everyone can directly relate to. However, you have an approach that can't fail to convey the stress, difficulty and pain we endure with this illness. My thanks and congratulations for raising awareness in this way. I hope your journey gets lighter each day.
Thank you for sharing, my granddaughter was just diagnosed with this . It has been so difficult for all of us that love her, but mostly difficult for her.
Thanks for the comment! I hope your granddaughter finds the way to cope and feel better!
Load More Replies...Thank you for sharing these. I found art to be my best outlet when I was diagnosed at 16, too. I'm not nearly as talented as you! These are amazing. I think you are a fantastic artist in the fight for understanding. You do us proud!
Thanks so much for the comment, it means a lot! I hope you keep on expressing yourself and also hope that you're doing fine!
Load More Replies...These are incredible. They are also startlingly relatable, I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder 18 years ago, but I've been battling it for most of my life not knowing what it was. Thank you for sharing with us. I hope our society gets to a better place andunderstanding of mental illness and
...to stop stigmatizing people because of it. People frequently say to just feel better, as if it's something that you can just wish away. Just because it's in my head, that doesn't mean "it's all in my head".
Load More Replies...I admire your ability to express your feelings with your art. Mine would be stick figures & that's not real expressive! Good for you!
So beautiful and scary at the same time, they capture the emotions perfectly. These are the kind of things I wish I had the talent to do, but instead I waste my time drawing cats. I just can't get the human body right lol. You have amazing skill.
Thank you very much! Sometimes I like drawing cute things too! Wishing you the best!
Load More Replies...I was looking for a new inspiration for my art as is something I only just started doing to deal with the grief reaction and when I thought of trying to draw inside my head I didn't even know where to start and drawings of yours here are so moving and inspiring and aptly titled to distinguish the specific perfect word for all the different emotions and I can't thank you enough
Just know there are people who care and all though they might be complete strangers. They can still listen, understand, and care for you. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm one of those strangers that does care and will listen. :)