I recently decided to open an Etsy store to sell my paintings and I named it Manic Creations Design. I thought the name was appropriate since I tend to create in a hypomanic state and my paintings tend to have more of a design element to them as I have a tendency to abstract objective images. I am also working towards becoming a Graphic Designer which I am studying currently at Niagara College. This store title might very well be the beginning of something even bigger – perhaps the name of my business as a designer. I created a logo for the storefront using the skills learned in one of my design courses (pictured below).
My Logo for Manic Creations Design
I created the logo in illustrator using my favourite font “Bauhaus” which I think is a clever tribute to design in general in that it is named after a famous design school in Germany. I am more than enthused that I can apply the skills I am learning in my Graphic Design program to real life and projects that I am currently working on. The Etsy store is just opening and has one painting for sale so far which is titled “It’s All Coming Up Roses.” It is a watercolour painting featuring my design of a collage of abstracted roses. It is painted using all metallic watercolour paints so that depending on the way the light reflects it, it appears unique from different angles (pictured below).
“It’s All Coming Up Roses” – A Manic Creations Design original painting
I am also blessed to have friends who see the value in my art and take it upon themselves to purchase pieces from me. I recently sold a watercolour painting titled “Vintage Roses” to my best friend (pictured below). I do not know if this new Etsy endeavor of mine will prove successful but I believe in my talent as an artist and think it is about time I started putting myself out there.
“Vintage Roses” (SOLD)
So Please, Help A Young Artist Out! Buy some art from your girl….
Who Am I?
Who Am I? Well fuck, that’s a loaded question. My name is Brittany Gushue and the thing that seems to define me the most and the topic to which this blog is dedicated to is the fact that I suffer from Bipolar Type One. I believe what makes me the best person to educate and bring to light topics of mental health is my firsthand experience with this disorder and all its pitfalls and actually believe it or not, benefits. I have learned a lot in my twenty eight years on this earth but the fundamental truth I am most thankful for learning is to never take anything for granted – especially your sanity.
I have been hospitalized on three separate occasions, twice for manic psychosis and once for depression. I have experienced the soaring highs and crippling lows of the bipolar pendulum and I can honestly say I don’t know which is worse. I’ve had delusions of grandeur, hallucinations and paranoia as a result of my illness. I believe these things make me fundamentally more grounded as a person for having lost my sanity, not once but twice, I write from nothing resembling a high horse.
I am currently an aspiring author and am working on a manuscript detailing my journey from sanity to insanity, and then back again. A fun fact about me is that I once genuinely believed I was a millionaire with boat loads of cash and luxury cars at my disposal when in reality I was living off welfare. I’ve spent more time in the psych ward than most will ever spend in a hospital in general. I am certifiable but best believe I own that shit.
The thing that connects me to you, my reader, however is that at the very core of it I am human just like you. I’ve experienced love, loss, fear and everything in between. I write from a place of experience when addressing mental health. I want you to understand if nothing else that your illness does not define you. You are undeniably you, flaws and all. Embrace that shit!And remember you are never completely alone in this. There are people like me who have been there and have come out better for it on the other side.
More than anything, I want to say, “I hope you’re down for the ride” that is this blog.
xoxoxoxox,
BiPolarMania
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