To All – the broken image problem has been researched and fixed. Please leave a comment if any other broken images have been found. Concerning comments: all comments written on this blog must be approved by me so we will have no problems with off topic comments or spam. John Poole – Administrator.
David,
Working on fixing the problem. Send me the images that you want to post. – John
"Flowers for a Funeral" © 2009, 2010 John Poole
"I am Smelling like a Rose that Somebody gave me on my Birthday Death Bed"
More like the sound of one hand clapping.
I’m going to work on this project for exactly one more year. If we don’t get the kind of participation that is needed and the views that respond I will serious think of killing this site and starting a new one that includes people with all sorts of disabilities, not just mental illness but people who paint with their mouths or are dealing with going blind, etc. - John
I am bipolar- suffered for over 13 years, and have recently published a book about it called Big Crowd at the Crazy House. My book is now available online at www.BigCrowdAtTheCrazyHouse.com Get your autographed copy today!!
"Big Crowd at the Crazy House." by Heather D. Brown
I’m still here. When I would be concentrating on my artwork and viewing art and writing on the blog, I have been spending each night talking with Deborah about our up coming trip to San Francisco for her mother’s 90th birthday party and also discussing and trying to get a handle on our lives together. It is a combination of things. I haven’t been able to stop drugging and drinking, that’s one major topic, the other is going to San Francisco. Our kids can’t be left on their own for more than a few days, (they might wreck the place missing our attention), I’m talking about our cats. And the fact that I am somewhat eccentric in the way I present myself which the older family members might not understand is really only a problem for them. But I am going, fuck the torpedoes. I can handle it with enough drugs and and a few drinks. It will work out one way of the other. Deborah will probably be there for a week or so and I will fly in and out the next day. Other than that we’ve been fine. I am working on some ideas (analog expression instead of digital) but I’ve not worked out all the details. The materials include large canvas, fabric, buttons and the most famous icons in history. It is going to take more thought regarding production, technique and supplies. I am encouraged by this idea. One of a kind, tangible, and expensive. My wife has been prodding me to come up with some way to make some money and I think this might work. Anyway I’ve taken a brief look at all the work you are all doing and when I get more time I will give it my full attention. Love you guys. – John
Just wanted to let you know that we are on the top of the google list for bipolar artists and other combinations in pages as far as seven so far. I am adjusting the titled pages to get to the top or close enough that surfers will find us. We are doing better with every change. I think December is going to a slow month. But it will pick up. Google also has the blog listed. - John
How does everyone reading this think and feel about Christmas and the Holiday season? Personally I gave it up years ago and my family is 2700 or 1200 miles away. Deborah’s family is in San Francisco. So we chill out. We go out and buy stuff that makes us happy. No gifts. Mail a few christmas cards. That’s it. How do ya’ll deal with it?
I’m taking a break. I’ll see ya’ll in a couple of weeks. If you need me email me. – John
Just to let you all know that the statistics show that the site is attracting more visitors every month and if it continues like this we may well be on our way to our goal of the mission of our project! We can all be happy about this. I just put this site together which was as easy as whatever you think is easy, eating a fucking lobster or something – but what everyone who has contributed to this project has made it what it is today and what it will be in the future! What we’ve always told ourselves if we fucking build the shit people will come. We can all smoke or drink what we enjoy the most, cheers! To you all of you!
I’m 53 and wondering about medications effect on creativity. I was on Zoloft and Buspar for the past 10 years during which I merely dabbled in art making. 30 years ago I was serious about being an artist, and have a BFA from 1982. This past April I went off my medications, dumped an ineffective councilor (of 10 years) and soon thereafter rediscovered a desire to make art. During that time I stumbled onto a new-age, non-denominational church and entertained the idea at least that God did exist, and that there is a plan for us, and that my purpose is to be an artist. I frequently cringed at social contact in ‘church’, and cried a lot during prayers of forgiveness, but didn’t attribute it to the possibility that the SSRI (Zoloft) was gradually ebbing out of my brain. Unfortunately anxiety and depression returned in full by 6 months later. I am still pushing to be a professional artist – eventually showing my work, but I realized I couldn’t summon the energy to work and was frequently overwhelmed by my thoughts, (both positive and negative). I contacted a psychiatrist who oversaw my withdrawal from Zoloft/Buspar and we began a trial run of Lexapro. The initial side effects were unpleasant, but it is the feeling that I’ve lost contact with my subconscious, (haven’t remembered a dream since), and my fledgling relationship with God and in fact my creative imagination itself concern me most. I’m also unable to write in my journal with any purpose. I am however just as motivated to go to the studio, (an art class here in NYC, allows a few work sessions a week – until such time as I know I’m committed to rent a studio). I’m wondering if artists have to choose between their ‘God-given’ talent and the drugs. Sylvia Plath and Jackson Pollock are hardly role models for survival. Are there any prominent artists known to be on the drugs? Thanks if anyone has an example. – Rob
Found this in the junk drawer. A reminder of my rocket science days.
Screaming at the winCan I ask a Screaming at the windowScreaming at the window Watch me die another day Hopeless situation endless price I have to pay Sanity now it's beyond me there's no choice Diary of a madman Walk the line again today Entries of confusion Dear diary I'm here to stay. Manic depression befriends me Hear his voice Sanity now it's beyond me There's no choice. A sickened mind and spirit The mirror tells me lies Could I mistake myself for someone Who lives behind my eyes Will he escape my soul Or will he live in me Is he tryin' to get out or tryin' to enter me. Voices in the darkness Scream away my mental health Can I ask a question To help me save me from myself Enemies fill up the pages Are they me Monday till sunday in stages
It has been well documented that seasonal changes and changes in sleep patterns
can affect people with bipolar. As the days get shorter and nights get longer
people in general seem more prone to depression. Looking back thru my journals I
see a pattern of starting the downward slope right before Halloween.
Fortunantly this year I have better understanding of what’s going on.
I looked around the web for some info and found this article may be of interest.
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