Information on Bipolar Disorder:
Bipolar disorder, also referred to as manic-depression, is a disorder that causes unusual mood changes that are on a more extreme level than most. When someone with bipolar disorder has a very happy and 'up' feeling, it is known as 'manic episode' and when they are feeling sad and low, and feeling less energetic, it is known as a depressive episode. These episodes can change at any moment in time, and can be so extreme that it can become difficult to go to school, can be damaging to relationships, and/or make it difficult to keep a job. Bipolar disorder with lifetime prevalence effects approximately 3.9% of adults, and approximately 0-3% of children.
(All information and statistics obtained from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml)
Why I Chose Bipolar Disorder:
In my life, I have been introduced and gotten to know some people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Although I always understood the basics of this disorder, I wanted to know more. I wanted to hear how someone would describe it if it were physical and create that for them. I wanted to take the time to research and create art based on this disorder so I could take the time to study and really get a better understanding.
The Process of Making the Piece:
In the beginning of February, I posted on my art social media that I was looking for someone who had bipolar disorder to describe their mental illness as a monster. I was anticipating a friend of mine would step up, but to my surprise, I got no response. A few days later, I received a notification from a woman out of state who willingly gave me a description. Excited, I quickly went to work, but I did not get immediate success. I spent about a week and a half sketching and brainstorming how I would portray this woman's monster. Then one day, it just clicked, and I finally produced a sketch I was satisfied with. I created two long, intertwining necks that swirled from two grotesque heads to one single body. The heads can change colors, which I attempted to indicate by making them fade to black, which is the color of the monsters body that is outside the frame of the piece. I chose a blue color to represent depressive episode and a yellowish orange to represent manic episode. I created the outlines with a new approach with much success; dip pens. Thankfully, the dip pens helped me create cleaner, more varied lines. Finally, I used white to add highlights and to add an extra outline to make the monsters pop from the background as well as giving their twisting necks more depth and dimension.
Bipolar disorder, also referred to as manic-depression, is a disorder that causes unusual mood changes that are on a more extreme level than most. When someone with bipolar disorder has a very happy and 'up' feeling, it is known as 'manic episode' and when they are feeling sad and low, and feeling less energetic, it is known as a depressive episode. These episodes can change at any moment in time, and can be so extreme that it can become difficult to go to school, can be damaging to relationships, and/or make it difficult to keep a job. Bipolar disorder with lifetime prevalence effects approximately 3.9% of adults, and approximately 0-3% of children.
(All information and statistics obtained from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml)
Why I Chose Bipolar Disorder:
In my life, I have been introduced and gotten to know some people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Although I always understood the basics of this disorder, I wanted to know more. I wanted to hear how someone would describe it if it were physical and create that for them. I wanted to take the time to research and create art based on this disorder so I could take the time to study and really get a better understanding.
The Process of Making the Piece:
In the beginning of February, I posted on my art social media that I was looking for someone who had bipolar disorder to describe their mental illness as a monster. I was anticipating a friend of mine would step up, but to my surprise, I got no response. A few days later, I received a notification from a woman out of state who willingly gave me a description. Excited, I quickly went to work, but I did not get immediate success. I spent about a week and a half sketching and brainstorming how I would portray this woman's monster. Then one day, it just clicked, and I finally produced a sketch I was satisfied with. I created two long, intertwining necks that swirled from two grotesque heads to one single body. The heads can change colors, which I attempted to indicate by making them fade to black, which is the color of the monsters body that is outside the frame of the piece. I chose a blue color to represent depressive episode and a yellowish orange to represent manic episode. I created the outlines with a new approach with much success; dip pens. Thankfully, the dip pens helped me create cleaner, more varied lines. Finally, I used white to add highlights and to add an extra outline to make the monsters pop from the background as well as giving their twisting necks more depth and dimension.
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