Art That Inspires Me: Artist Feature, Vol. 2

My motivation to write has been lacking, but I’ve found inspiration in the artistic creations of others. I want to show my appreciation for the art that has inspired me lately. In this post you will find my favorite works of art from March. Each piece of art featured in this post inspired me and helped me in some way.

With each piece of art I included an Art Description; which offers alternative text for  visually impaired, and a My Reaction section; which explains how the art made me feel. I hope you enjoy this art, and please remember to check out the artists who created it.

Ask For Help, by: Recipes for Self Love

Art Description: A girl is sitting alone. The caption reads; “don’t be afraid to ask for help.” This art was created by Recipes For Self Love; find them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also shop on Etsy.

My Reaction: Sometimes the darkness and badness can seem overwhelming and life can seem hopeless, but  there is always hope. This art is a nice reminder. I can say, from experience — If you are struggling, please: reach out, talk to a friend, go to a support group, call or text a help line. Please, never give up on yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Also, you don’t have to be struggling to ask for help. You always deserve help and support. You matter. Asking for help is a sign of great strength. Every time you call out, you’re a little less alone. Ask for help. Keep asking for help. Never give up. You are worth it.

Keep Being Human, by: Adam J. Kurtz

Art Description: This is a quote, it reads; “You are an amazing & emotional person who feels feelings. This can be annoying sometimes but it’s also your secret power. Keep being human.” This art was created by Adam J. Kurtz; you can see more and shop on Adam’s website, and find Adam on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

My Reaction: This is so true. Seriously, I have my share of emotional days, and I’m thankful that I’m alive to feel them. I have days when my anxiety spirals out of control. I have days when depression becomes relentless. These days can become all-consuming. But, the point: I’m human, I’m alive, I feel my feelings. They are real and valid. I’m glad to be alive to feel them. So, it’s okay if I have bad days sometimes. It’s okay if I accept a depression spiral. It’s okay if I cancel plans because my anxiety is raging. It’s all okay. My feelings demand to be felt. Sure it can be annoying. But it’s also a part of what makes me who I am. The things that make me different and strange are also the things that make me powerful. I’m me, and that’s enough.

You Can Still Be Depressed, by: Crazyhead Comics

Art Description: A girl is sitting, surrounded by beautiful things. Despite all of the beautiful things she is still struggling from depression. The caption reads; “No matter how good things are around you — you can still be depressed.” This art was created by Crazyhead Comics; you can find them on Instagram,

My Reaction: I hear comments like this far too often; “your life is perfect, you have nothing to be depressed about”. This statement is absolutely ridiculous. I’m living with Bipolar Disorder; my mental illness causes my depression. Sure, I have a good life, I’m fortunate, but I’m also living with a difficult mental illness. My fortunate life doesn’t take away from the fact that I’m living with depression and anxiety. No matter how things seem, a person can still be depressed.

Lil’ Stress Relievers, by: Kelly Malka

Art Description: This art suggests some stress relievers. With each suggestion there is cartoon drawn. The suggestions read; “Bake a treat. Eat a treat. Ignore your iPhone. Go outside and take a walk. A good cry. Hang with a pup* (*if a pup is unavailable, a cat will suffice.) Get lost in a good book. Draw, write, color, create.” This art was created by Kelly Malka; you can visit her website, shop on her Etsy, and find her on Instagram and Facebook.

My Reaction: I love these lil’ stress relievers. I can say from experience, they are also amazing depression relievers! My favorite is “hang with a pup”. When I spend quality time with my dogs, everything else seems to fade away. Dogs truly are the best thing in the world, they save me daily.

All Is New, by: Dear Evan Hansen

Art Description: A photo of a new plant growing, representing the first day of spring.  In bold print, you can read lyrics from Dear Evan Hansen; “ALL IS NEW”. This art was created by Dear Evan Hansen the Tony Award Winning Broadway Musical; you can follow them on, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. You can also buy tickets on their website.

My Reaction: For me, it’s been a tough winter; a rather depressed and broken winter. I’m glad that spring is here. All winter, during my bad days, I constantly reminded myself that my depression and brokenness was temporary. I constantly reminded myself that good would come, and when the good came the bad would fade away and become a fleeting memory. What seemed unmovable would become an easily forgotten afterthought. I’m glad that spring is here now. The sun is warm, and it really does feel like all is new. If you are struggling, please remember: the bad will pass, and you are not alone. Reach out and ask for help. Keep breathing. Please, keep going. Happy Spring, Everyone.

Quite The Talent, by: Crazyhead Comics

Art Description: This piece of art shows two people having a conversation. Person 1 looks at Person 2 and says; “huh, you don’t seem mentally ill.” Person 2 replies; ” thank you. i happen to have quite the talent when it comes to hiding extraordinary pain and slight insanity.” This art was created by Crazyhead Comics; you can find them on Instagram,

My Reaction: This is so spot on. Sure, to most people I don’t “seem mentally ill”. But, the truth is: I’m living with a difficult mental illness. I work to hide it. Not because I’m ashamed, but because I want to get through my days. Hiding my mental illness is somewhat of a superpower. I can be in extraordinary pain, yet I can hide it and carry on a conversation. I live my life in the company of my illness… and, yes, most of the time I “don’t seem mentally ill”. But, I am.

Quiet Inside My Mind, by: Sunflower Scription

Art Description: This is a song lyric by John Mayer. It reads; “I can’t seem to find the quiet inside my mind.” This art was created by Ruth from Sunflower Scription Hand Lettering; you can shop for her creations on Etsy, you can also find her on Instagram and Pinterest.

My Reaction: I sincerely love this phrase; “I can’t seem to find the quiet inside my mind.” This phrase makes me think about my phases of bipolar mania. I often compare my bipolar mania to rabid bubble bees. Being stuck inside of a manic episode can be an emotionally debilitating experience; it’s painful, exhausting, and completely illogical. Imagine having a swarm of rabid bumblebees trapped inside your head. There are hundreds of buzzing bees, and every single bee has its own project to do. Every bumblebee project is emergent and needs to be completed, in its entirety, immediately. So you spend hours, days, or maybe even weeks aimlessly running around in an unrealistic fashion trying to complete all the bizarre bumblebee tasks. In this phase, I truly can’t find the quiet inside my mind…

Inhale. Exhale., by: Jang and Fox

Art Description: This art shows a cartoon fox breathing in a relaxing fashion. The caption reads what the fox is thinking and doing; “Inhale. Exhale”. This art was created by Jang and Fox; you can find more on their website, you can also find them on Instagram.

My Journal: This art made me think of others. It made me want to reach out to them… and to let them know how spectacular they are. So, here’s my message to you;

I know you’re probably busy.
You might be anxious.
You might be overwhelmed.
But pause for a moment.
Now, take a deep breath.
Inhale. Exhale.
Do you feel that?
You are breathing.
You are alive.
How spectacular is that?
Kindly, go back to your day.
But remember: you are spectacular.
Keep being alive, please.

Curtain Call
I hope you enjoyed this art. I also want to say “thank you” to all of these amazing artists for bringing me joy, and inspiring me.

I’ll be back in April, hopefully with more blog posts and much more art to admire.

You can also read my previous artist feature; “Art That Inspires Me: Artist Feature, Vol. 1“.

Sincerely, Elizabeth – Uncustomary Housewife

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