So I’ve been drawing over the last year and never really show anyone just cause they’re personal and I wouldn’t want to have to explain it to people I know. And they’re kind of dark but I’d like to start posting some.
Here’s one I did recently that I especially liked
wow that's really pensive and I would love to hear about your inspiration for it 😚
At first I just drew the heart mainly because I wanted to draw a real representation of it for once instead of the shape alone. The day after, some stuff I was hopeful for didn't go as planned which led to the hand around it.
well it turned out really amazingly!
Other users share their artwork and poems though. I think it's a matter of expression. Some people can express their depression, anxiety, psychiatric struggles in words.... others through art.
This is a beautiful picture. Cardiac Surgeons hold the heart in their hands. I know a few people in the cardiac field that would love this picture. Great job
that makes total sense and I'm not trying to pick on you at all- some people just tend to share their stories in other ways that don't include direct words. for example, I like to share my poetry here along with some drawings. it's a way for someone to express themselves and also a conversation starter, regarding the person's issues. so depending on the responses it usually ends up relating to the topic of the community anyway.
Yes. Please share.....let's get more drawings!
Tony -
that is freakin awesome!!! i woke this morning, feeling low, and alone, and i'm struggling .... feeling i'm not even sure.... sad; grief; fear...
i tried posting some funny pics... helped a little... but feeling a deep aloneness... maybe i shouldn't have watched the end to a movie over breakfast.... that def. didn't help.... def. feeling some grief.
Tony - after i posted some pics; i just hit my home button - and was smacked in the face with your picture. it hit me hard!!! THAT IS ME right now!!!!!
I somehow feel a little better - seeing how you expressed ME. whether your intent or not - doesn't matter - that's what art IS - personal.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING IT!!!!! i love it!!!!
keep going!!!!!
13ga, sending you 3 gentle hugs your way.
One for feeling low, one for feeling alone and one to help you through your struggles.
You give so much to this forum, it's time to reap in the rewards in knowing others care
about you. 
xx
hi agora! nice to see you again!
TY sooo much for the very much appreciated hugs; i love hugs. they're like the tiniest beginning massage you can get/give; and o--m--g... do i LOVE LOVE LOVE massages!!! (if i had to choose between sex and massage.... well please may i never have to make that choice!!! )
and TY for your kind and caring words! i really am feeling better!
xx 💜 :-x o :-x
I could use a snickers I think
Same
dolphin....
but what would you use it for? maybe as part of an artwork / statement? ;o)
you think? not sure if you could use a snickers?? that's ok - think on it; we'll wait! lol
Use what for 13ga?
(use what for?)
lol - dolphin - you said you could use a snickers....
so, i asked - what would you use it for?
.
i can be very punny!!!
(and i often try to crack me up - sometimes i succeed).
Could be... this heart is fully intact, Jeff.
Hearts come out for organ donation too. Gifts of life.
We will disagree. I'm a nurse I'm seeing it differently.
Sometimes drawing it out really speaks and helps us to heal. I’m having a bad day and you reminded me that I could do some art... a collage or something to get out the feelings. Thanks for sharing your work.
So true StarMake sure you share what you do
Hi Dolphin! I got distracted but I’m still planning on it.
I'm glad, I love how art can make everything just fade away for a little while
BTW, tony;
have you titled it?
maybe we should offer our own idea's for title as it reflects each persons feeling. here's mine:
Griefffff
.
edit:
lol - title was in subject.... duh!!!!
Ok people, calm down, I have an announcement.
Tony042: hello👋 you are a talented artist
Jeff: hi. I see where you're coming from, but I also agree that this a form of expression. Sorry, but I don't know what else to say. 🙂
13ga: (regarding your first response) damn, girl!🤪
Dolphin: any news on the waters in the Gulf Stream?
Sillysausage: you owe me a Snickers bar
Langedechu: I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Minnie Mouse. Good to meet you!
Phil-4-13: stay awesome!
HulkM: hi to you as well
I am now leaving to take myself for a walk.
Carry on.
i don't believe we've met either. nice to meet you as well! 
👋
this reply is to Jeff1943 ; i was replying to one of his replies, but he deleted before i could post... Jeff, i hope you see this...
(good art = original)
Jeff;
i take you for your word, that it's a copy or facsimile - but that doesn't mean it wasn't an original piece. Tony may not even be 20yrs old, may not have seen the card - as far as he knows - it was his idea. we, as people have much in common, and often we 'copy' what others have done or said - not because we copied it - but because we all share the human experience - and we're bound to duplicate some experiences.
i appreciate your position on what you consider good art. I despise much of the crap on tv and movies, because the writers have no originality, and copy - or even outright re-do - an older show or movie. in those cases - i do 1 of 2 things - (1) i ignore it and move on. (2) i watch it anyway, to see if the writers or director did a better job with their interpretation of the story.
so - i DO get where you're coming from. Jeff, you and I have already bumped heads once. But I've also seen from your posts, that you are an articulate, and well informed man. I respect that. You clearly have some rough edges - and i above all, can understand and empathize - i'm far from perfect. I don't mind bumping heads with you - because i believe we have both tried to be respectful of one another. I suspect we will again; we simply disagree on certain things.
.
i'm only saying all this, because i've managed to smooth out some of my rough edges - with the help of criticism (constructive) from others. Because i can see that you have passion, and the desire to grow, I think you can smooth out too, if you see yourself as having some rough edges. Maybe you don't - and that's ok too.
each of us in our own time; each of us in our own way.
thank you for taking the time to reply to me, and giving me the opportunity to discuss with you!
Thanks for your considered reply, 13ga, I am sure there is much in the world that we would agree about. BTW I didn't delete my posts, either admin did that on their own initiative or someone made a complaint about my posts.
I hate censorship but on a group like this it is legitimate if something triggers someone's anxieties. But not because I and some other old timers have seen a change in the nature of this group which we don't like. That is a legitimate subject for discussion and should not be subject to censorship.
I think I have dwelt too long here, either way I think my days here are numbered.
Thank you so much for everyone who responded to this. As I mentioned I never share my drawings with anyone so this was an.. interesting first experience.Thank you 13ga especially both for your comments and defense lol. I'm so happy my drawing was able to help you and the comment made my day. and the title was last minute just for the post. I don't often title my drawings but I love your idea and am open to more suggestions.
I had to stop writing this for a test but it looks like Jeff left now.
Despite the mixed responses I'm just glad so many people shared.
Don't tell Jeff but I'll probably be posting more in the near future
Tony, it isn't that I left but all my posts here were censored and deleted as I've just explained to 13ga.
I am one of a number of long term group members who have seen the nature of the group change in a way that we consider unhelpful. Unhelpful to what, you may ask? To the task of finding full recovery from anxiety disorder and clinical depression through discussion and the exchange of views. Which we feel is being replaced by artistic side shows.
We are advocates of the Acceptance method for respite and recovery devised many years ago by Doctor Claire Weekes. An eminent Doctor of Psychiatry at Boston University claims that her Acceptance method has allowed 2 million people to recover from anxiety since her first book 'Self help for your nerves' was first published in 1962. Yes a long time ago but her teachings are as effective today as 50 years ago, they have withstood the test of time. Her biography was published this year, the title says it all: 'Claire Weekes: the woman who cracked the anxiety code.' Phew! quite a claim but perfectly true, though of course there are other routes to recovery.
Working here for an hour or two every day I have tried to add a few extra numbers to the 2,000,000 figure I just quoted.
You ended your post with 'don't tell Jeff but I'll probably be posting more in the future.' There will be no need to tell me as I think that after more than 4 years of work here I feel it is time to explore pastures new. Sincere good luck with your artistry.
Thank you Jeff, and I meant the last line as a joke to try lightening the mood.I'm sure you know a lot more about anxiety than I do and it amazing that you have spent so long helping others with it. I obviously don't have anywhere near your experience, but at the end of the day, while I'm sure recovery is possible there's no cure so I'm using art as a safe way to cope as opposed to self medicating. Without any kind of professional or adult help, I'm doing the best I can (with no foreseeable end) and having a place to pour what I've kept bottled inside for so long feels like it is helping me more than I could have imagined.
Is the point of this group not to find people you can relate to in a mutual effort of self betterment? As I've learned from people my age who I've helped over the last few years, most people feel the need to be understood and for me I can explain myself best with drawings even if they convey vague emotions. Its open to interpretation and from a few of the comments, it looks like some people were able to enjoy it for what it was. If my drawing can help even a single person else feel represented or understood, that makes it worth it. Plus it sparked conversation that I feel was beneficial.
This website isn't medical help or a diagnosis. For me its a step towards helping myself which comes in different forms for everyone. I wish you luck where ever else you choose to help people, but I still think your input can still be valuable to a lot of the youth here without real guidance.
Tony, you write well for an artist. As a writer I worked with art directors for 40 years.
Sorry, I haven't researched you but you must have demons to have landed at this site. It's the price of entry. One thing I don't understand is when you say recovery is possible but there's no cure. Are they not the same thing?
When Claire Weekes used the word cure in psychiatric circles 50 years ago other psyches would ask 'Surely you don't mean cure, there is no cure.'
But she insisted on using the word cure. In fact she said: "Everybody can recover from anxiety using my method no matter how long or how deeply they have suffered." I suspect she was right. Even for those like me and maybe your goodself whose anxiety is inherited.
There were no meds around in 1962 when she wrote her first book. And the only therapists were psychiatrists steeped in Freudian methods - even though Freud himself admitted his theories had brought little success in practice.
Weekes' teachings were revolutionary. She said: "Stop fighting your anxiety. Fighting only causes more tension and stress. That's the last thing frayed nerves need, more stress."
Her alternative was to accept your anxiety (for the time being) and all the tricks, bad feelings and strange thoughts anxiety sends our way. There's a lot more to her teachings than that, of course. But you see why I call it revolutionary: she advocated doing the exact opposite of what instinct would suggest.
Depression she called Depletion: usually caused by nervous exhaustion or as a reactive response at having to cope with anxiety. Remove the cause and the chemicals return to the right balance.
All I'm saying is: never give up on the prospect of recovery when you're ready. And that drawing, I remember where and when I first saw it. It was in an office in Bond Street, London, and someone was showing it around, we thought it hilarious. It was 1964, February of course.
Long enough ago for it to have been drawn by you in a previous existence. You think I'm joking?!
No need to reply, Tony. I'm sure you've got lots on.
I do want to thank you for that, and I'm very interested in looking into that research but mainly, how do you define cured.
I see someone with cured anxiety as a person who never has to look back or worry about it getting bad again. Being rid of the mental torture and all that comes with it for good.
I consider recovery continually working at it to the point where it is (relatively) easily manageable and not a controlling factor of your life. Despite having to keep working at it, it no longer has the effect it once did.
This definition of recovery is my goal, and my definition of "cured" it what seems unattainable but if you've seen evidence to the contrary, it'd be nice to know it can actually end at some point.
Tony, you have created your own definition of cured and recovered when to me, and I think Doctor Claire Weekes, they meant the same thing.
There are three forms of recovery using Weekes' method of Face, Accept, Float. Let time pass.
For those that do not have a genetic tendency to anxiety:
1. Someone who has a one time only experience of anxiety due to excessive stress, worry and other problems. That person recovers using the Acceptance method and is not troubled again.
2. Someone who has more than one attack of anxiety disorder due to the same causes but because they learned how to recover once before it is easier to do it again.
For those who do have genetic/inherited tendency to anxiety which I increasingly suspect is the majority of us (Weekes also had genetic tendency:
3. Someone with inherited anxiety recovers using Acceptance. If they have subsequent episodes they know how to recover again because they've done it before. Although they may experience further episodes they will be of shorter duration and severity with long periods of feeling normal inbetween. Weekes considered this counted as recovery too.
Weekes' method brings understanding, reassurance and offers a road plan for recovery for all.
As mentioned Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at Boston University, David Barlow, believes 02 million people have recovered using Weekes' method though I don't have a list of names🤔
Weekes' first book, 'Hope and help for your nerves' aka 'Self help for your nerves' gently explains her method in easily understood terms , it's available new or used from Ebay or Amazon for about the cost of a burger.
lmao!! YW, tony - and you go guy!!! keep posting...
don't worry about Jeff1943 - he's a good guy - just has his own way of seeing things; and he can be rough around the edges - something i personally can appreciate. he can be smart and wise - but that don't always make him right! and you can take that from me - cause i'm right 99.999% of the time!!!
also - don't worry about mixed responses - that is especially the nature of art. some will like, some will dislike, some won't care or get it. SO....
enjoy the likes when you get 'em - but don't do your art for likes - DO IT FOR YOU! ignore the noise - listen to your own music.
How symbolic your precise drawing is. Thanks for sharing your talent xx
I love your drawing and want to see more please.
Thank you!! and yes definitely
First finished drawing in 3 years.
How can i improve my drawing?
