This is my first drawing in about two years. It is about death and a dog.
I'm crude, I'm simplistic, and I'm raw. It will take some time to become refined again.
I'm not going to write a book and make a lot of money. I doubt I can even paint and make any money. I've seen some artists I'm better than, and seen some artists that are better than me. But for people with schizophrenia, I'm doing pretty good. In all this drawing took me about four hours to make. Looks simple, but it took a little work. Just a drawing, then color in with oil pastels, manipulating the pastels with my finger tips.
Since I've given up on making any money, I'm going to make art just to please me. I know I did some fantastic stuff on zyprexa, and that on Geodone I'm not as good, at least according to my husband. Right now I suffer the most from rusty syndrome, not having a pencil in my hand and the command for my brain to come up with imagery. There is a place you go to in your head when you have a blank piece of paper in front of you. I haven't been there in a while.
After I finished this drawing (total time; two creative periods, two days) I had some time left so I started on the next drawing. Best to keep going as long as the mind doesn't shut off. Eventually it shut off, like on all days. The window that my brain can be creative is about 2 to 3 hours long. I assume I have that window because of my illness and how my schizophrenia has configured my brain structure. Its about the same time window for painting or for writing. At least it is concentrated time, no dithering, no distractions, pure concentration. At art school they wanted in studio class you to concentrate for 3 to 5 hours making art and I couldn't do this; got suicidal during class or after because of the stress of the situation. Realized I could never get my art degree because of my limitations. So quit art school after one semester. Can't force the brain to exceed these invisible limits or else the brain starts cannibalizing itself and you get schizophrenic symptoms. My symptoms are always, self destruction. Its my form of delusion.
Feeling tired but fit after today's creative effort. More work tomorrow. A new window to of time to be creative in.
Every day several hours of creativity. They add up. And the product is a finished work of art.
Great drawing/painting Karen. It's like seeing an exotic feral dog gently floating into a heavenly sphere from the darkness of the universe. There's a kind of wired happiness about the dog with her smile and her big, bright orange eye. Her red and white wings make me think of palm trees or fans, soft and protective. Energy and peace together.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you have returned to drawing and I look forward to seeing more of your work. Take care and let me know that you got home safely. Happy New Year!
Kate : )