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At first glance, DestinyBlue's art may only strike you as colourful, somewhat melancholy Anime-inspired portraits. If you look a little closer at the sad drawings, however, you'll notice hidden messages that tell the story of the British artist's harrowing struggle with signs of depression.
DestinyBlue, whose real name is Alice De Ste Croix, has been posting her work on DeviantArt since 2004. She's become massively popular due to the vivid characters she draws from imagination, and her ability to tell emotional stories with imagery. 'Blue,' as her fans affectionately call her, creates all of her art from scratch using Photoshop CS6 and is completely self-taught. Struggling with this mental illness, Blue finds her inspiration from her own experience, and that's probably why her deep pictures touch so many of her fans.
Take in some of DestinyBlue's most well-known depression art pieces below, as well as our interpretations of their deep meanings. Let us know your thoughts on each one of these depression drawings in the comments!
More info: DeviantArt, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Depression
Allie Orona 7 years ago
I have depression, too. I've learned that people truly want to hear what you are feeling, and that you are not burdening anyone. They want to know, because they care and they want to help you. It's not your fault, that you're upset. If you feel this way, you feel this way, and it's best to deal with it in a healthy way, such as talking about it, going for walks or whatever you still enjoy.
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#2
Forever Is Over
#3
Grow Again
Denise Blair 7 years ago
Oh I love this one. I haven't seen it before it's so beautiful and meaningful. That little bit of hope when we have been going through hell xxx
#4
She's Broken
#5
Friends Set You Free
#6
Anxiety
#7
Depth
Daria B 7 years ago
I see what you did there. ^_- (although possibly unintentionally)
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Terri Rowland 7 years ago
You can be oceans apart from the one you love but your hearts beat as one 💕 ❤
Gerry Higgins 7 years ago
What is this supposed to mean? Sorry, it's a sentimental yet stupid graphic. Do all people on islands fall in love ? What does it mean ?
Henrique Costa 7 years ago
What? No, atleast that's not how I see it, more like there's alot more to love that what shows at the surface, like a true relationship is based on a strong and deep foundation/link that one may not even be aware of, hence the analogy with the "froidian" iceberg, with the unconscious submerged supporting all there is to be on the consciousness parts of our lives. Judging from the tense poses of the characters, you can also interpret it as "at the surface" they both seem to feel distant from each other, but "deep down" they're ever closer together, but this is more of a possibly secondary perspective.
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#8
Trust
Shinomi Chan 7 years ago
It's difficult especially if one has had very bad memories of trusting someone who turned out not to be worth it.
#9
I'm Fine
#10
If Tears Left Scars...
Isabel Tamayo 7 years ago
Every heartbreak, rejection, pain --- you may forgive but will never forget.
#11
I'm Complicated
#12
Trapped By School
Shinomi Chan 7 years ago
I can relate to this. I mean school is so boring with the lessons, and if there's bullying involved, it is even worse.
#13
Bulletproof
#15
One Of Us Can Be Free...
#16
Warpaint
Ana Fuentes 7 years ago
I have to say that this picture touches me, the most because as a woman makeup is like war paint.
#17
Sew Closed My Soul
Zombie Gurl 7 years ago
Love is made of glass, can be easily broken if weren't handled correctly
#18
Not Alone
Marzo Florida 7 years ago
I love how the butterflys wings a torn and scathed, but it gives off the impression of joy and peace <3
#19
All Wrong
#21
Broken Window To The Soul
#22
Last Piece
Isabel Tamayo 7 years ago
The missing piece is out there. Someone may put it there for you or you will have to put it by yourself.
#23
Open My Heart To You
#24
Paint Your Wings
#25
Golden
#26
What I've Seen
Sharon Sweeny-Karjalahti 7 years ago
GIRL, KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED FOR YOUR SELF AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL ART WORK!
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Becca hill 7 years ago
I struggle with depression and I have to say these have hit home for me. Luckily at the moment I'm ok and taking my medication as I should but I know how it feels when in depression I have to try and put a brave face on it soo as not to be a burden. I always say I'm ok even when I cry all day and don't sleep, don't shower or brush my teeth and don't really want to live. These beautiful illustrations show exactly the struggle that depression puts you through when u don't feel good enough and your brain is telling you how pathetic and how useless you are. Hopefully people will start to talk more about the struggles with mental health
Cat Meow 7 years ago
You just put in words what I couldn't when I went into this post an hour ago. Suffering from depression - or any other mental illness - is not something I'd wish upon my worst enemy. It's a constant struggle inside your head you just can't escape.
Load More Replies...
Ani 7 years ago
I love your art, Blue! Keep up the great work, and keep your head high! Much love <3
Load More Replies...
James Polony 7 years ago
This is what I feel every day. And the only reason I manage to stave off the daily plans to kill myself is to hopefully spread awareness that depression isn't just some exaggeration of casual sadness.
sosunlight 7 years ago
That's so true. Unfortunately a lot of people still think I can 'just be happy' or 'get over it'. Thank you for helping change that. Hoping you have some better days soon <3
Load More Replies...
Alusair Alustriel 7 years ago
Those are extremely beautiful. I love the lines and especially the colours. Beatuiful pieces, I hope you win with the depression, keeping my fingers crossed tight!
DestinyBlue 7 years ago
Thank you, it's a tough fight, but one which is worth the struggle 💙
Load More Replies...
4Sunshine 7 years ago
Your artwork is inspired. It touched me on so many levels and in so many ways. I'm 70 now and have struggled with depressions since childhood. It's controlled with medication so life is doable. Everyone gets "the blues", but there is no way to explain the sheer helplessness and desperation that comes with true clinical depression. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Ms. Blue, thank you for your art and your insight. It was beautiful and brings hope.
Allie Orona 7 years ago
Please know that there is always a way out. I've struggled with depression my whole life. However, despite my struggles, I am able to challenge my self-deprecating thoughts and suicidal ones, too. I am able to see past what I can't do, and I accept my losses (when i can't get up in the morning, for example), but I also am so proud of my victories (challenging self-deprecating thoughts). Just because you have depression does not mean that you can't live a good life. You've got this. It's so, so hard to get there, but you can do it. Yes, I mean you. If I, with depression/anxiety/social anxiety can make it through life this far, so can you.
Marzo Florida 7 years ago
These are so beautiful. Ive never dealt with depression, but its a prison in and of itself. Each illustration speaks volumes, and I hope that they see the same beauty in themselves <3
Mariana Smith 3 years ago
Everyone at one point goes through a depresional time in their life, I hope for all of you that yours will help you to become stronger and better. Love you and your art. KEEP GOING!
Jo Kotylak 7 years ago
some of the headings hit home, but the fact that every person in them is a young female with an hour glass figure is a shame. We come in all shapes and sizes, all ages and colours, and we all have different pains, fears, heavy hearts from disonnects with "friends" who can't do chronic with you any more. I have to tell you I was thinking towards the end, some of those pictures were leaning more toward bondage than bandage. The dog collar on the woman in one, sure sometimes we're chained with our conditions overwhelming us, but we're all not a big bosomed woman with a - oh forget it. It was a nice idea, and the comments hit home is the short answer
Michelle Sebold 7 years ago
Amazing work! You can feel the emotions. Your helping so many people with your work!
Alicia Birgersson 7 years ago
Thank you for sharing your beautiful art! Depression is a difficult mental illness to deal with and especially when you don't know who to talk to or who you can trust will not judge you. Because of my past I have been struggling with depression and honestly I don't see an end to it. It's so hard for others who do not suffer from it to realize the severity of the situation and realize that this person may actually kill themselves any day. Thank you for shedding light on the damage that leads to depression but also the damage that depression makes. I love how there are pictures of hope in there too, sometimes hope is just a word, not an actuality. It's important that people who have depression know they're not alone and the ones who don't have it need to know it's not an exaggeration of sadness, it's life threatening.
Alicia Birgersson 7 years ago
Wow, this really got to me, being the person I am because of my past, these images brought me comfort that I'm not alone but also sorrow of course that so many people go through depression without help. Thank you for shedding light on how difficult depression is, especially when one doesn't know who to talk to or who to trust will listen without judgement. It's important for everyone with or without the mental illness to realize the severity and stop treating it like an exaggeration of simply feeling sad. Thank you for your beautiful art!
Isabel Erikson 7 years ago
DestinyBlue is an amazing Artist, she has a way of healing and inspiring others. Be gentle to yourself. You have blown me away with talent.
Intensive Panda 7 years ago
Sadly, only under the influence of a heavy hitting life, people can create something really powerful and wonderful. I wish that the artist will post worse art, as this is always a good indicator, that someone is getting better
Leeann Kaiser 7 years ago
These are very beautiful and a really creative way to describe what people who suffer from these illnesses are feeling. I have anxiety/depression and often don't know what it is I'm feeling or why I only know that I'm not supposed to feel that way
Ana Radulescu 7 years ago
Lovely, inspiring, touching art. #6 and #7 really brought the chills. I know it's not easy, but to channel your pain, anguish and insecurity into such beautiful art speaks of a spine of steel and an amazing inner strength. Great work, DestinyBlue.
Anthony Irwin 7 years ago
This brought a tear to my eye......because I feel these things, and just can't put them into words.
Biljana Malesevic 7 years ago
I think these are too cute for depression. I suffer from depression and anxiety and there is NOTHING cute about it. If I would want to illustrate it, those artworks would be really scary, ugly and dark.
Michel M. Prins 7 years ago
Depression is far from cute, indeed, but it's just her preferred style, it's more about the meaning behind it.
Load More Replies...
Rhân 7 years ago
Really beautiful and deep, but I don't understand, why it is important, that the artist has depression - (I hope she is fine, anyways) not that it is not okay or something, but sometimes I feel like.. as if they think the art lose its meaning (what it wouldn't) if this wouldn't mention. But, I really like the art especially the eyes in most of the pictures.
Michel M. Prins 7 years ago
A lot of the artworks were inspired by her struggles with depression, so it makes perfect sense to mention this in the description. And also that drawings about this subject has more meaning if the artist actually experienced depression, rather than basing it off the experiences of other people.
Load More Replies...
Alusair Alustriel 7 years ago
Because " Artist Creates Illustrations With Deep Meanings To Illustrate Her Struggle With Depression " It's all in the title :)
Load More Replies...
Becca hill 7 years ago
I struggle with depression and I have to say these have hit home for me. Luckily at the moment I'm ok and taking my medication as I should but I know how it feels when in depression I have to try and put a brave face on it soo as not to be a burden. I always say I'm ok even when I cry all day and don't sleep, don't shower or brush my teeth and don't really want to live. These beautiful illustrations show exactly the struggle that depression puts you through when u don't feel good enough and your brain is telling you how pathetic and how useless you are. Hopefully people will start to talk more about the struggles with mental health
Cat Meow 7 years ago
You just put in words what I couldn't when I went into this post an hour ago. Suffering from depression - or any other mental illness - is not something I'd wish upon my worst enemy. It's a constant struggle inside your head you just can't escape.
Load More Replies... Ani 7 years ago
I love your art, Blue! Keep up the great work, and keep your head high! Much love <3
Load More Replies... James Polony 7 years ago
This is what I feel every day. And the only reason I manage to stave off the daily plans to kill myself is to hopefully spread awareness that depression isn't just some exaggeration of casual sadness.
sosunlight 7 years ago
That's so true. Unfortunately a lot of people still think I can 'just be happy' or 'get over it'. Thank you for helping change that. Hoping you have some better days soon <3
Load More Replies... Alusair Alustriel 7 years ago
Those are extremely beautiful. I love the lines and especially the colours. Beatuiful pieces, I hope you win with the depression, keeping my fingers crossed tight!
DestinyBlue 7 years ago
Thank you, it's a tough fight, but one which is worth the struggle 💙
Load More Replies... 4Sunshine 7 years ago
Your artwork is inspired. It touched me on so many levels and in so many ways. I'm 70 now and have struggled with depressions since childhood. It's controlled with medication so life is doable. Everyone gets "the blues", but there is no way to explain the sheer helplessness and desperation that comes with true clinical depression. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Ms. Blue, thank you for your art and your insight. It was beautiful and brings hope.
Allie Orona 7 years ago
Please know that there is always a way out. I've struggled with depression my whole life. However, despite my struggles, I am able to challenge my self-deprecating thoughts and suicidal ones, too. I am able to see past what I can't do, and I accept my losses (when i can't get up in the morning, for example), but I also am so proud of my victories (challenging self-deprecating thoughts). Just because you have depression does not mean that you can't live a good life. You've got this. It's so, so hard to get there, but you can do it. Yes, I mean you. If I, with depression/anxiety/social anxiety can make it through life this far, so can you.
Marzo Florida 7 years ago
These are so beautiful. Ive never dealt with depression, but its a prison in and of itself. Each illustration speaks volumes, and I hope that they see the same beauty in themselves <3
Mariana Smith 3 years ago
Everyone at one point goes through a depresional time in their life, I hope for all of you that yours will help you to become stronger and better. Love you and your art. KEEP GOING!
Jo Kotylak 7 years ago
some of the headings hit home, but the fact that every person in them is a young female with an hour glass figure is a shame. We come in all shapes and sizes, all ages and colours, and we all have different pains, fears, heavy hearts from disonnects with "friends" who can't do chronic with you any more. I have to tell you I was thinking towards the end, some of those pictures were leaning more toward bondage than bandage. The dog collar on the woman in one, sure sometimes we're chained with our conditions overwhelming us, but we're all not a big bosomed woman with a - oh forget it. It was a nice idea, and the comments hit home is the short answer
Michelle Sebold 7 years ago
Amazing work! You can feel the emotions. Your helping so many people with your work!
Alicia Birgersson 7 years ago
Thank you for sharing your beautiful art! Depression is a difficult mental illness to deal with and especially when you don't know who to talk to or who you can trust will not judge you. Because of my past I have been struggling with depression and honestly I don't see an end to it. It's so hard for others who do not suffer from it to realize the severity of the situation and realize that this person may actually kill themselves any day. Thank you for shedding light on the damage that leads to depression but also the damage that depression makes. I love how there are pictures of hope in there too, sometimes hope is just a word, not an actuality. It's important that people who have depression know they're not alone and the ones who don't have it need to know it's not an exaggeration of sadness, it's life threatening.
Alicia Birgersson 7 years ago
Wow, this really got to me, being the person I am because of my past, these images brought me comfort that I'm not alone but also sorrow of course that so many people go through depression without help. Thank you for shedding light on how difficult depression is, especially when one doesn't know who to talk to or who to trust will listen without judgement. It's important for everyone with or without the mental illness to realize the severity and stop treating it like an exaggeration of simply feeling sad. Thank you for your beautiful art!
Isabel Erikson 7 years ago
DestinyBlue is an amazing Artist, she has a way of healing and inspiring others. Be gentle to yourself. You have blown me away with talent.
Intensive Panda 7 years ago
Sadly, only under the influence of a heavy hitting life, people can create something really powerful and wonderful. I wish that the artist will post worse art, as this is always a good indicator, that someone is getting better
Leeann Kaiser 7 years ago
These are very beautiful and a really creative way to describe what people who suffer from these illnesses are feeling. I have anxiety/depression and often don't know what it is I'm feeling or why I only know that I'm not supposed to feel that way
Ana Radulescu 7 years ago
Lovely, inspiring, touching art. #6 and #7 really brought the chills. I know it's not easy, but to channel your pain, anguish and insecurity into such beautiful art speaks of a spine of steel and an amazing inner strength. Great work, DestinyBlue.
Anthony Irwin 7 years ago
This brought a tear to my eye......because I feel these things, and just can't put them into words.
Biljana Malesevic 7 years ago
I think these are too cute for depression. I suffer from depression and anxiety and there is NOTHING cute about it. If I would want to illustrate it, those artworks would be really scary, ugly and dark.
Michel M. Prins 7 years ago
Depression is far from cute, indeed, but it's just her preferred style, it's more about the meaning behind it.
Load More Replies... Rhân 7 years ago
Really beautiful and deep, but I don't understand, why it is important, that the artist has depression - (I hope she is fine, anyways) not that it is not okay or something, but sometimes I feel like.. as if they think the art lose its meaning (what it wouldn't) if this wouldn't mention. But, I really like the art especially the eyes in most of the pictures.
Michel M. Prins 7 years ago
A lot of the artworks were inspired by her struggles with depression, so it makes perfect sense to mention this in the description. And also that drawings about this subject has more meaning if the artist actually experienced depression, rather than basing it off the experiences of other people.
Load More Replies... Alusair Alustriel 7 years ago
Because " Artist Creates Illustrations With Deep Meanings To Illustrate Her Struggle With Depression " It's all in the title :)
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