If my depression had a color, it would be Prussian blue.

I have lived with depression and anxiety since childhood and have been an artist just as long. I attended college at CCAD to hone my artistic skills, but my mental health deteriorated so much that I had to leave school. Translating my feelings into artwork – into different hues and forms – is what continues to help me grow and heal.

I primarily paint women. Many of them symbolize my own sense of self: they are nude, illustrating vulnerability; they are emaciated and frail, reflecting the physical toll mental illness can take; they are often cut off, suggesting fixation on areas of bodily insecurity. The women also tend to have abundant hair. These different strands are sometimes tangled and suffocating; other times, they flow freely, weaving together emotions, experience, and growth.

I also paint women doing yoga poses. Not only do these works reflect acceptance of the body and mind, but they celebrate bravery to begin a process of healthy change despite fear, insecurity, and judgment.

In my journey of recovery, my paintings are like diary pages. They document highs and lows, frustration and relief. However, I also intend for them to be a lifeline, a way to connect with others – because nobody should have to deal with anxiety or depression alone.