3 minute read
Art is medicine
artIS MEDICINE
I met a man, we fell in love. An infatuation that engulfed all of our senses, we moved in together as quickly as we met. By fall of 2010 I enrolled at ASU, determined to complete a degree that I was not sure I even believed in anymore.
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Our relationship had no vision or future, we could not see past the weekend, and the empire we daydreamed of eventually crumbled. We fought verbally, made overly dramatic scenes in the clubs on Mill, and were referred to as “that couple.”
I failed most of my classes, increased my level of debt and resented my family for my failures.
I lived fifty feet away from my mom in the same apartment complex and only saw her when I was feeling selfish. Selfish with my time and attention; ego has no remorse. In the spring of 2011, I was arrested for driving under the influence. I spent the night in jail and asked her to pick me up. She said my life was going in the wrong direction and that I had been thrown off my path by my own self. “...the act of Still, she forgave me, hugged and kissed designing and me, and told me that she loved me. painting re-built A dark year followed. I became the confidence, angry, depressed, jealous and bitter. I security and sat on the couch day in and day out, hiding self-esteem...” from friends and family, dormant in a colorless reality, accepting karma’s punishment.
In the spring of 2012, I became pregnant and with instantaneous confidence acknowledged my blessing. By the time of my son’s birth, I transcended consciousness from girl to mother. Motherhood is a delicate decision entrusted to guide and nurture the future. Women are the
epitome of creation and should be valued as such. emotional, mental and physical selves; destined
I started painting not long after he was born. to be maintained by the level of comfort that we The brush strokes, vibrant colors and textures experience within our own state of mind. became an escape. It was a new beginning of self- The creative process has taught me that selflove, exploration, growth and ultimately, sobriety. care is vital to our well-being. Our current state of Over time, the act of reality including concrete jungles, designing and painting rebuilt the confidence, security “The creative the illusion of time and digital screens forces us to disassociate and self-esteem that had been weakened due to self-harm process has ourselves from life in an effort to cope with daily demands. We can and trauma. Trauma echoed taught me that very easily lose ourselves in the through my life exposing itself in negative thoughts, talk, habits self-care is depths of a disillusioned world unless we are determined to and abuse. For myself, creating art is a rebellious act that allows vital to our return to our unique humility. Creating art has led me to the for a detachment from the reality that has been sold to us. By well-being.” doors of many great opportunities that I never would have imagined discovering hidden talents and for myself. I am grateful for the allowing ourselves the freedom people I meet and the stories to create with no limitations, we return to our true they share along the way. Life is the intricate web selves. we find ourselves in as human beings, premeditated
I have learned that the consequences of our and predetermined to cross paths with those we decisions hang delicately in what we understand are meant to encounter, learn from, love and endure. to be balance. Our feminine and masculine This journey of struggle and beauty has led me to a energy is interwoven to represent our spiritual, world of genuine strength.
(Photo courtesy of Marlena Robbins.)
