Mindscapes
part one
The ‘mindscapes’ series focuses on the expressive use of watercolours, with particular emphasis on using this medium to overcome symptoms of depression.It is an attempt to fully understand how and why art can be utilised as an effective form of therapy.
The paintings are a reaction to the therapy that I have received over the past year to treat depression; including CBT, SSRI medication and a personal exploration of art therapy.
I have conducted some research amongst my peers & followers on social media to find out how others have responded to therapy in an attempt to better understand the feelings of depression & how they have an impact on being active in day to day life.
The mindscapes series began with a desire to create something with whatever materials I had to hand, without expectations or pressure over what the outcome may be. Many of the mindscapes portray an attempt to feel calm and at ease, and they are born from a necessity to pick up a brush and do something to distract from difficult thoughts or emotions.
This process was initiated with pen drawings on paper (explored more in part two) and progressed into expressive abstracted watercolours. Each composition is created intuitively, where I allow my instinct to lead my brush or tools, as opposed to consciously pre-determining a subject and outcome.
Recent events have forced many people into a state of isolation, loneliness or boredom, and the process of drawing and painting has proved to be very meditative and source of calm for me during times of experiencing low mood or anxiety. For this reason, I believe it is important to explore art as a form of therapy which allows the individual to actively take control of difficult thoughts and feelings.
Mindscape #135
I have divided the mindscapes across three main themes. Beginning with ‘turbulence’, I want to show the frustration that depression can produce, as there is quite often an initial difficulty in articulating emotions or thoughts. This difficulty can stem from an unawareness of what the trigger or cause for these feelings may be, but also a worry that sharing this with others can feel burdening and perhaps lead to feeling judged or misunderstood.
Secondly, an attempt to feel closer to nature as a way of calming these turbulent thoughts, moving the attention from introspective scrutiny towards a connection with the natural world. With this in mind there is also a disturbance of built structures which often interrupts this connection, leading me to think more about how our places of residence can influence an emotional reaction.
Lastly, there is an attempt to find balance and beauty with limited colour palettes and shapes to create a sense of calm.