Things we do when we can’t talk it through: getting creative in the name of self discovery
#veryhumanthings #expressivearts #selfdiscovery
pencil, paint and ink mixed media
Self portrait
In some weary, shape, or form
A version
A version of a self portrait?
A version of a self portrait with rough edges and blurred landscapes
Why call it “a version”? Isn’t it just …
Self portrait
Self doubt
Self inflicted
It’s a version of self
Looking in the mirror
Can’t quite figure out who I see
Is she the eyes or is she the sick feeling or the tears that want to spill?
Both. All. And also
One tear slithers
Wipe it away
I WILL BE OK DAMMIT
Swallow the choke
I’m calling it self doubt because self scorn sounds too harsh
Because self sinking into self sounds too obscure
Because self wanting to hide from self sounds too childish
Childish? Or pure?
But you know what I mean, right?
And you can gauge by the portrait! Right?
Do you like it?
Do you think she’s any good?
Do you think she be who she says she can be?
Do you think she can
Do you think she will
Do you think she should
Do you think she
Do you think
Do you
Do
Do not answer that
Self doubt
Self inflicted
Self unbelieved
Self unexplored
Self looking for
Self doubt : our nemesis.
Self doubt knows how to steal self
How to end the self doubt?
With self
Self portrait
A version
writing by Saxon & Kendall
art by Kendall
How Are You Doing?
Can't talk it out? Can you draw it? Squiggle it? Dig holes into the couch? Burn something (safely!). Blow a dandelion and watch it scatter?
anything and everything matters
If it comes from you, it is IMPORTANT
We are in this together
The Very Human Beings
Come Along: What is this and how to join in?
Sometimes words just don't express, do they? Or sometimes they do but not as conversation or talk. We often get very lost trying to articulate in everyday sentences. So we turn to art, music, film, sound, metaphor, creative dialogue, prose, you name it. Whatever will help us take "it" from "that" to "this".
You know what is the most amazing thing about humans? Every single one of us is a creative being. Every single one of us has the ability to express ourselves creatively. If you haven't already tried, give it a go and experience the freedom it brings. It's breathtaking, we promise!
What's that? You are not an artist? You can't? Who told you that? For me it was my grade 1 classroom teacher and my grade 5 music teacher. Who was it for you?
Here – throw egg in their face!
Come on, we have even garnished it for you!
CAN'T. CAN'T. CAN'T. CAN'T. CAN'T. CAN
Grab whatever you have at your fingertips and dig deep into your pockets of all you can and let's help each other say what some days we just can't.
As always, feel free to riff off ours if you are stuck. In fact, we would LOVE that.
If you're feeling brave, post your versions in our comment feed so others can be inspired too. Or upload to your own social media (be sure to use our hashtags - #veryhumanthings - so we can find each other). Either way, make sure to comment on posts by others and encourage one another as we find new voices.
The only rules are: RESPECT!
See you in there!
Kendall et al