My name is Eric Roguski. I’m a former elementary teacher of 11 years located in the Catskills. While I’ve always endeavored to put my utmost into teaching and protecting others from bullying and other forms of discrimination, I too have secretly struggled with many mental illnesses derived both neurologically and environmentally. My work focuses on the struggles I’ve endured personally growing up neurodivergent in a time when people did not value difference. Furthermore, my work also reflects my first-hand experiences of seeing how differences are often handled in American society by others.
I genuinely hope my work inspires others to understand that silent mental illness is real. Yet, people like us can still function just as well in society as any other person. (If not better) Furthermore, I also wish to devote my work to LGBTQA+ and other neurodivergent individuals who have to suffer prejudice and unfair bias simply because of societal expectations enforced onto others. We’re all people. We should never forget that.
Hopefully my work can inspire change and remind those who think they’re “normal” to reevaluate their position on those who are different.”
To view more of Eric’s artwork, you can go to his YouTube channel below.
This brief video was first shown publicly at the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery’s 2nd year annual fundraiser. This video is the first installment of what will eventually become a six-part series that will vary in terms of narrative, visuals, voiceover, and background music. Mental health struggles will be a central theme throughout the series. This piece of the series was written by Meagan Meehan with voiceover by Diane Brackett, background music by James King, and visuals created by Brian Belt. This collaboration of minds and talent make this piece truly remarkable as it puts viewers into a different realm of consciousness- As well, the series once complete will be aptly titled “Stream of Consciousness” and will be shown publicly in Hudson, New York this year.
Ori Alon-Ray and Rachel Ray-Alon speak during our fundraiser
Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery to celebrate our annual fundraiser
Saturday August 26th from 3-9 pm @ LIGHTFORMS Art Center 743 Columbia St. Hudson NY
The impact of a art gallery that publicly showcases artwork by those people in recovery from serious mental health conditions in an effort to erase stigma is multifaceted and profound. On one hand, it empowers the artists to express themselves creatively and share their stories with a wider audience, fostering a sense of agency, identity and belonging. On the other hand, it educates the public about the realities and challenges of living with mental illness, breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions, and promoting empathy and compassion. By creating a space for dialogue and interaction between the artists and the viewers, the gallery also facilitates social inclusion and community engagement, which are vital for recovery and well-being. The gallery thus serves as a platform for advocacy and awareness, as well as a source of inspiration and hope for both the artists and the public.
Shared creativity is the process of collaborating with others to produce something new and valuable. It can be a powerful way to foster public unity, as it allows people to express their diverse perspectives, learn from each other, and find common ground. By engaging in shared creativity, we can build trust, empathy, and respect among different groups and communities. Shared creativity can also inspire innovation and problem-solving, as we can leverage the collective intelligence and skills of many people. Therefore, shared creativity can create better public unity by enhancing social cohesion, cultural diversity, and civic engagement.
We invite you to join our celebration towards a more positive loving universe. We believe that everyone deserves happiness and peace, and that we can create a better world together. Come and share your stories, your dreams, and your hopes with us. Let’s celebrate life and love in this amazing universe.
My Most Important and Biggest SUCCESS Story of my LIFE:
I Suffered and Struggled for over 40 years with my Mental Health 25 years I Suffered in Silence and then during the next 15 years I worked on my Recovery but still Suffered and could not Get and STAY Mentally Well. And I went into 6 Psychiatric Hospitals, 4 Outpatient Clinics, Missed using Medicine, 22 ECT Treatments, Suicide Thoughts, and Suicide Attempt on Jan 2, 2008 and was still Suffering Unbelievably with my Mental Health which was Major Depression with a little Bipolar! Tried everything but could Not Get and STAY Mentally Well!
And then things got even worse because on Aug 8th, 2014, I will always remember that day is where Lewy Body Dementia and Suicide took Robin Williams Life! I was his biggest Fan and Robin was my Mentor regarding everything about Comedy, Improv, and all his amazing movies but for the next 2 and a half months because of what Robin Williams did I got so so Unbelievably Depressed and had to voluntarily go into my 6th and hopefully last Psychiatric Hospital on Oct 16, 2014.
But this time compared to all the other times I was an Inpatient at a Psychiatric Hospital something happened different where I had an Ah Ha Moment or Divine Intervention or whatever you want to call it that said this time I’m finally now going to Get and STAY Mentally Well! So while I’m in this Psychiatric Hospital for the next 13 days I was able to put together my own Workshop/Presentation called The 3 Amigos of Mental Health where the purpose is to share my own Mental Health Stories with my own Lived experiences in how I Suffered and Suffered in Silence for over 40 years but also tell my Inspirational, Motivational, Humorous, Relatable, and Helpful Mental Health Stories of how I Finally Got and STAYED Mentally Well right after I got discharged from my Psychiatric Hospital!
So, I finally found the right Psychiatrist, Therapist, and Medicine and kept working on my Important Recovery but is was the many types of Wellness Tools from my Wellness Toolbox and especially using HUMOR that got me to the Promised Land to Get and STAY Mentally Well! Like using Meditation, Deep Breathing Exercises, Affirmations, Creed, Prayer, GOD, Bible, Acupuncture, Nutrition, Good Sleep, Walks, A Pet, Mindfulness, and so much more! And I kept adding more and more to my own Workshop/Presentation called The 3 Amigos of Mental Health and started Speaking and Performing all over telling my my Struggles and Inspirational Mental Health stories by being an advocate and a Different type of RELATABLE Resource to Educate, Inspire, Motivate, Use Humor, and Help Everyone with their Important Mental Health and so much more! By getting Rid of this Terrible STIGMA of Mental Illness, Deal with Acceptance and Opening Up about your Mental Health, Addiction, Suicide Thought, or whatever else is going on with you, to use many of my own Wellness Tools, and of course to use HUMOR as one of your Biggest Wellness Tool to Get and STAY Mentally Well! Through The 3 Amigos of Mental Health I show and Tell that you can Get and STAY Mentally Well just like I finally did which is now over 8 years and Counting. And no matter what is going on with you you can have Fun without making Fun of your Mental Health or anything else. And most Important I’m working so hard to get Rid of this Terrible STIGMA of whatever is going on with you that we are All CREATED EQUAL and for the many who are Suffering and Suffering in Silence also Deserve to have a Quality of Life as well!
So, The 3 Amigos of Mental Health is either you are Suffering with your Mental Health, Suffering in Silence, or Not Suffering at all with your Mental Health and my job through Education, Awareness, and Lived Experiences is to Help the ones Suffering and Suffering in Silence and Educate the ones Not Suffering to understand what it feels like and taste like to Suffer so they can be more Helpful and Supportive to their friends and family that do Suffer with their Mental Health and more so that All The 3 Amigos of Mental Health can be Good Friends (AMIGOS)!
I also work for a Psychiatric Hospital I was a patient at for almost 6 years as a Trained and Certified Peer Support Specialist and Care Coordinator by building my own Mental Health Career in helping so many patients of mine!
What I’m doing now since I’m still Mentally Well for over 8 years is Speaking and Performing The 3 Amigos of Mental Health everywhere and getting paid through doing Seminars, Webinars, and Podcasts by telling my stories and making it very Enjoyable, Cool, Humorous, Relatable, and so much FUN to talk about Mental Health. I have done several Mental Health TV Stories and a Great GOALCAST Video where they made me the Star and working hard to get on more major TV Networks to Tell my Inspirational Mental Health Story and trying to finish The 3 Amigos of Mental Health Book and get a Documentary and of course a Movie about my own Mental Health Story so I can become Nationally and Worldly known so I can HELP Billions of people with their own Important Mental Health and so much more by using All of my Amazing PASSION in Giving VALUE to HELP Others!!
So, this is my Most Important SUCCESS Story that has changed my life for over 8 years and I’m still MENTALLY WELL and HELPING So many people with their Important Mental Health and so much more and if I can do it SO CAN YOU!!!!
Educational, Motivational, Inspirational, Entertaining, Humorous, & MEMORABLE Maximum Impact Awareness Speaker Working on Touching and Helping Everyone Get and STAY Mentally Well!!
Our next featured artist is Laurel Clark. She like others, is someone that has experienced trauma related to a family member that was not only mentally ill, but also had a co-occurring substance use disorder. She further explains how artwork was helpful in managing her thoughts/emotions below.
“My parent was an addict, but she also was severely mentally ill, coming from a cycle of severe abuse. The things I experienced will haunt me forever. I use art as an outlet to purge myself of the horrible thoughts, to re-ground with my experiences, and create something tangible out of the intangible turmoil and trauma I sift through within my mind, offering a glimpse of perspective as well as visceral reaction that is far too real for survivors alike. Not only is the goal of my art to showcase the morbidity, callous, and horror of being at mercy of others. But to start a conversation around these difficult topics, and also show that there is a way to convert this negative energy into something net positive for your life and well-being.”
The following is a slideshow and matching gallery of 11 pieces of her artwork along with titles and descriptions.
I’m here to tell you that we’re gearing up for our 2nd year annual fundraiser to be held at LIGHTFORMS again- 743 Columbia St. Hudson, NY Saturday August 26th from 3-9 pm. The event will be relatively casual with a brief speech at 6 pm to thank sponsors and spread the news as to our expanded programming. The event will eventually transform into a fun filled dance party. If for any reason you can’t come to the event in person, please consider forwarding the flyer and accompanying QR code to pass along for those that may want to donate to our cause. Thanks to everyone for their support! Brian Belt
The Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery at 717 Columbia Street Hudson, NY will be hosting a reception and display of art/recovery books created by students of the “Create a Book” class. The class began in early June and attracted several artists in recovery from serious mental health issues. The lead teachers are Jesse Sanchez and Brian Karas. Jesse’s background is in graphic art and book cover design and Brian’s experience is with various book binding techniques —Their combined knowledge of mental health issues and creative work helped to establish an open atmosphere wherein students explored and expressed their most personal feelings and experiences within the structure of creating their very own art/recovery book. The art book form allowed for a narrative to develop in a way that might have been missing in pictures alone or in a solely written work form.
Using basic principles of recovery as a theme, artists uncovered deep feelings in real time as their artwork evolved. Speaking on the class, Brian Karas remarked, “It was a profound experience for me as a teacher to witness and I’m grateful to the artists for their courage to openly share that with me.”
The display and reception will be held Saturday July 2nd at the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery located at 717 Columbia Street Hudson, NY from 1- 3 pm.
For information on the artists and associated activities of the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery simply go to their website at https://stigmafree.art/
LIGHTFORMS Art Center and 3rd annual Juneteenth Celebration
One of our artists, Jesse Sanchez, speaks on his recovery from schizoaffective diagnosis and how art and peer teaching of his class “Peers, Tears and Pages” to help others that may be suffering from serious mental health problems through art and recovery principles for the Sisco Crisis Help Radio Show at
Read below for a class description and registration information:
“Recovery does not happen in a straight line. I have experienced multiple episodes, sometimes decades apart in my life. Recording experiences in a book making class such as this, might serve as a reminder that seasons do change, and in nature, like life with mental illness, storms don’t last forever. A book can be read and reread and written again. Like any good story, the final chapter can be a happy ending, if we choose to make it so.” -Jesse Sanchez (www.jsanchezart.com)
In this class we will allow the participant to put in book form some moment or moments in their lives when they realized transformation was necessary for their recovery. Using various forms of artistic expression such as drawing, painting, photography, collage, and calligraphy, students will create and assemble their work into a book. Professional book artist, Brian Karas,
will show examples of ways to integrate the visual art with the written text and will demonstrate three simple ways to make a book; folded, accordion and sewn. All art supplies will be provided but artists are welcome to bring their own.
For registration information, click on the weblinks below….
Our latest featured artist, Kevin Porter Osterhout, is a reminder to all that serious mental health disorders coupled with substance-use disorders (a common method to self-medicate) can have tragic consequences. A good support network of recovery resources and proper medication are essential requirements needed to elevate and maintain one’s recovery and their general sense of self-worth and well-being, but the reality is some do relapse for various reasons. A case in point is the story of Kevin Porter Osterhout. Kevin’s artwork was recently submitted by his family members to remind us that none of us are immune to the effects of serious mental health disorders especially when they are coupled with substance abuse disorders. But there is Hope and there is support for those in need even when one feels all hope is lost. Just reach out and connect to the people of NAMI and their vast pool of support connections. And remember even when the pain seems too much to bear you are not alone. Just reach out to the others in NAMI that have traveled similar paths in their struggles with loved ones that suffer serious mental health problems for they can give you the guidance and hugs you may need to not only get through your grief but to also activate a sense of peaceful acceptance of your loved ones passing within yourself. In time, you may be able to share the strength, wisdom, and empathy you gained to help others that face similar life traumas.
Kevin Porter Osterhout (June 9, 1990-August 30, 2020). In a relapse, Kevin died of accidental fentanyl/heroin poisoning, after many months of not using any substances and living well with his mental health difficulties. This work is submitted by his family.
Kevin Osterhout Art
Kevin Osterhout Art
Kevin Osterhout Art
To view more of Kevin’s artwork simply click on the weblink below
So, after a series of near fatal setbacks as to my mental health status, I reconciled to move into a community residence for people diagnosed with serious mental health disorders outside Boston, Mass in 2009. It is here where I slowly cleared my head a bit and connected with others that had serious mental health issues. I be-friended an older woman by the name of Melinda, and I was able to share some of my thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the past. I felt comfortable sharing with her because she likewise shared some of her difficulties over the years dealing with a clinical depression diagnosis. By sharing honestly with someone else who didn’t look down on me for my past or present psychiatric problems, I felt a sense of ease and anxiety relief that I hadn’t experienced before. I was able to stay at this community residence for several months until I was given an opportunity to move into another community residence closer to Hudson, NY. And although, I can’t say the first community residence I lived in offered much in the way of teaching behavioral skills to help manage my problematic thought process, it did offer me a chance to sober up enough and connect with others that had serious mental health problems in a REAL way without feeling shamed for my diagnoses. After staying at this community residence for some months, I moved on to the other community residence closer to Hudson, NY. The community residence here was called the Hearth and it was here that my recovery really took off in a positive direction.
While living at the Hearth I was afforded all the amenities that the previous community residence had such as meals, a place to sleep and relax, proper meds, caring staff, and other community members that also had serious mental health struggles that I could feel free to connect with. In addition, we were introduced to “Recovery Classes” that were sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Columbia/Greene Counties New York. I was blessed in that my first teacher was a Peer Specialist who achieved advanced recovery from a clinical depression diagnosis utilizing various recovery skills that he learned through an accredited training program. This first recovery teacher by the name Don, not only inspired me to advance my recovery level but he was able to relay the basic concepts of recovery in such a way that it resonated within me to the point I began to really snap out of being a victim of my psychiatric symptoms and instead become a master of them. I must also say that a primary reason I was able to succeed under the direction of my first teacher is that he was a “peer” in that he had lived experience as someone that struggled and overcame severe mental health problems. And though, our diagnoses were different from each other the recovery principles that he spelled out that became a foundation for my recovery were the same. After roughly a year under the stewardship of the Hearth and the initial recovery classes I took, the program evolved into what is called the PROS program or Personalized Recovery Oriented Services that offered multiple mental health recovery and support classes for those diagnosed with serious mental health disorders. And it was roughly the year 2012 that I was given the opportunity to live in a supported housing situation wherein I was given an apartment while being supervised and continuing my recovery education at PROS. This latest move sparked my recovery level towards heights myself or anyone else could not have imagined.
Overtime, I advanced my recovery skills through the PROS (Personalized Recovery Oriented Services) program and not only graduated from this mental health program but began teaching classes that I designed and developed as a volunteer. Eventually, I accrued enough teaching and online education hours to become a Fully certified peer specialist in the mental health field through OMH of New York State. As well, I began a support group at the Columbia Memorial Psych Unit where I had been involuntarily hospitalized several times to reach out to other peers and encourage them to make steps towards recovery.
Throughout my recovery journey, I gave several public presentations for NAMI of Columbia County that spoke on a variety of recovery topics. NAMI of Columbia County helped my mother gain insight and provided emotional support for her during my mental health struggles over the years. But my most recent project was the development of the Mental Health Awareness gallery. It started out as a pipe dream of sorts. I had been active in the mental health recovery field for so many years and it dawned on me that it would be a great idea to draw on all the personal recovery connections I had made over time and begin the process of assembling artists and creative people in recovery from serious mental health problems and publicly showcase their artwork in an effort to eliminate stigma and activate a new understanding and perspective of those people that experience mental health problems within the surrounding community. Overtime, with the help of many others I slowly pieced together what was to become the nonprofit Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery. Since its inception, our growing team of artists put together 4 successful public exhibitions in the heart of Hudson, NY. We continued to attract public attention day by day and finally accrued enough funding to open a permanent gallery space in Hudson wherein our artists are now able to consistently showcase their artwork and educate others as to the therapeutic benefits of art/creative work in recovery.
The aim of my work is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but to have an inward experience of peace and calm. While working, I entertain memories of my aunt and grandmother who taught me so much in life and who, incidentally, also had agoraphobia. While working on art, my mind stops the cycle of anxious, negative thoughts and brooding and focuses more on the beautiful thing I may be able to create.
Hi, I’m Bennett Karas. I work in metal to create chainmaille, jewelry, sculpture and other unique handmade items, inspired and informed by medieval arms and armor. My chainmaille is typically made of stainless steel, titanium or bronze, and in other alloys on request. I use a variety of weaves including Byzantine, European and Japanese variants.
My sculptures are constructed of wrought iron and steel, using both self-made and found objects. The metal is welded, tapered, planished, riveted and tempered to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
I begin to speak the truth on my mental reality state
Upon returning to the states after experiencing my first major psychotic break, I was pressured by both my parents to speak with a psychiatric counselor. I did so but only Very reluctantly- At the time, I believe I was being fed a strong daily cocktail of antipsychotic medication that slowed my thought process but did not eliminate the dark thoughts and memories that were now an embedded feature of my new “reality”. I should emphasize that my mental state upon leaving Thailand was very broken. Although, I did not speak on my thoughts- the truth is I only agreed to go back with my dad because I thought he was a secret government agent that would explain this altered reality on the plane ride back. If I didn’t hold this belief at the time, I would have surely fled back into the jungles of Thailand to be missing forever… It was only after weeks of searching with help of a Thailand private investigation company did my family even learn where I was physically and then were able to alert my dad to fly to Thailand and connect with me. Interestingly, I was able to communicate with the Thai Private investigation team that tracked me down years later while at an advanced recovery stage and they wrote a brief blog on their website as to my plight listed under case studies.
But getting back to the issue of my reluctance to share my personal thoughts with a counselor after being fetched from Thailand and moved to upstate New York is that I was terrified I would be placed in a psychiatric hospital indefinitely if I spoke my truth. So, I heeded my parents’ advice and went to counseling sessions but said nothing of my present mental state. I would speak on older memories that were difficult- the loss of a friend to a heroin overdose, my failed marriage, and other topics that I was ok sharing knowing they wouldn’t be thought of as Too strange, but I Never spoke on my changed reality state and the thoughts associated with this mammoth shift in my reality state.
Since I fully believed I would be locked up forever in a psychiatric hospital if I disclosed my thoughts, I secretly began the process of trying to figure out how to get out of my current situation at that time which was living with my mother and doing odd end jobs to make a few bucks here and there. It was then I came across an ad on the internet looking for English teacher to teach in China- no need to speak Chinese. I pulled together my school credentials and applied online upon which I was accepted- but I had no money to pay for a flight. I relayed the information to the Chinese teaching group that hired me, and they offered me a free flight I only had to show up at JFK airport on the right day time and I would be on my way to China to teach English. Of course, once I told the news to my mother, she was alarmed but she was powerless. I did what I did and off I went to China to teach English in an industrial town outside of Shanghai without knowing a bit about China- language, culture, nothing….
Of course, my first instinct once I got the green light and free flight to China was to quit all my meds and go it on my own and my preferred method to handle my disturbed thought process then was to drink it away. And drink I did – almost a full liter of Scotch from the duty-free zone while I was on the long plane ride to China that almost led the flight crew to turn the plane back to the states due to a passenger (myself) being severely intoxicated- Somehow, I did sober up enough before landing and met up with the Chinese man who recruited me- his first remark was he could smell alcohol but we continued to drive on to a sprawling Chinese city where I was to begin my teaching career. I was given keys to an apartment and instructions to meet up at a Chinese elementary school to begin teaching my classes. To say I was clueless now living in a foreign country coupled with a warped personal sense of reality is a huge understatement, but I muddled through the next few months making up classes ad lib and drinking away my nights until the English recruiter finally had enough of me and said leave. I was given a free flight back to the states and soon found myself in jail for public drunkenness and in desperate need of help. I called my mom and she helped me back to live with her under the condition I return to counseling. I did. As well, I began the process of communicating my real thought process to my counselor at the time. This gradual confession led to my current clinical diagnoses of schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder. I wasn’t committed to a long-term psychiatric facility after these findings, so I was happy about that, but it was only the first step in my recovery. A recovery that would begin with a series of major setbacks.
Creativity has been crucial to my well-being. When I’m manic I’m able to channel my racing thoughts and flight of ideas into my art and turn a negative into a positive. I also suffer from crippling depression at times which makes it impossible to do much of anything, but I’m proud of the work that I’ve been able to create despite my challenges.
My process begins with my camera, out in nature. When photographing I look for interesting shapes and strong images
This search is a distraction from my suffering and brings me peace. I then alter my images, using Photoshop. I intensify the colors and try to make the finished work even more profound. It makes me feel powerful to be able to alter the images to my own vision.
My name is Kristen Oles and have dealt with the struggles of dealing with Mental Health (Bipolar, anxiety) for over 27 years. One thing that has been extremely therapeutic from the beginning is making art. It’s very easy to start things, but sometimes it’s extremely difficult to finish and feel self-satisfied. There has been many times in my life, I have never been able to finish things and I’m very grateful the past few years to be starting and finishing things.
I have suffered from both serious medical and mental health issues since 1995, but I continue with my recovery efforts one day at a time. My recovery is most special to me because I have become closer to my children, and I am close to my 4-year-old granddaughter. As well, I am a artist that teaches collage making techniques to others in the mental health programs in Columbia County and at the public Mental Health Awareness & Creative Arts Gallery.
The Connection between Mental Illness and Creativity
Richard Fuertes with “Colors”
Manhattan Gallery- Our artist’s work in video/book rendition
Funny mental health book jackets by Jesse Sanchez
Connecting Ground interview
Michael Weitzman with “The Three Amigos”
Wake up call with Ed and Paul
Following the Yellow Brick Road: The Steps and Obstacles to achieving REAL Recovery from serious mental health diagnoses
Set to the backdrop theme of the Wizard of Oz, Danielle Reiff, speaks on her recovery from bipolar disorder. This video was originally presented for the public at the Hudson Opera house for a NAMI educational event in the year 2015.
New Age Abstractions
Artwork by Sean Springer
Highlights from our One-Year Anniversary
Michael Weitzman’s on You-Tube
Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Family,
Below is my Latest Workshop/Presentation Seminar called: THE 3 AMIGOS OF MENTAL HEALTH for
the Girl Scouts, Juniors, and Brownies on March 6th 2022 where I Educate, Motivate, Inspire, Use Humor,
Help, and be a RELATABLE Resource by using All of my PASSION in Speaking and Performing about
Mental Health and so much more and by being very Interactive, Engaging, and talking about tough and
sensitive Words and Subjects in a very Enjoyable and FUN way to Learn! Please Enjoy!
Brian Belt Recovery Story
You Tube Clips compliments of Adam Hoyt
Local Shots From Around the World Part 1
Local Shots From Around the World Part 2
Hope Rocks Live Performance 2017
Voices of Recovery 2014
Voices of Recovery 2017
Michael Weitzman
Loki Anthony: Behind the Design Episode 1
Create a Book class reception
Jesse Sanchez
Esteban Ganem’s recital in support of our gallery
Thanks to Esteban Ganem, a percussionist attending Bard Conservatory of Music, I was able to speak on the Mental Health Awareness Gallery shortly before his solo rendition of Christopher Cerrone’s musical score- “Memory Palace”. Esteban performed his recital in support of our gallery and its vision. My speech on recovery and the formation of our gallery begins at time segment 1 hour 19 minutes on the You-Tube clip followed by his solo rendition of “Memory Palace”. So please listen to the full recital and hear my speech related to our gallery and our team of artists in recovery from serious mental health conditions. Esteban is a gifted percussionist who has a bright future ahead of him in the music industry. So please turn the volume up to listen and enjoy this captivating musical experience.
Art has played a very important part in my recovery journey with my mental state, which is what I’d really like to share. Mental health awareness is a topic that is talked about more now than ever before. I like to think of myself as a mental health advocate, because I’ve lived with my mental health issues most of my adult life. I feel like more needs to be done in access to treatment and help for those struggling with serious mental illnesses, I know from experience how some with mental health issues may feel reluctant to seek out help because of the fear and stigma associated with mental illness, but I also know how difficult it can be to find help sometimes when one may need help. I guess in short, what I am trying to say is that I would like to see a little less talk and more mental health reform before we become polarized about mental health problems.
I have been doing some soul searching today and thinking about some of my paintings and what they mean to me. Many of them are creations from within expressing my love for beauty, and others reveal the darker side of life I have struggled with for years, the painting titled utter madness is the one that I would like talk about. I just smeared the paint on the canvas trying to find some beauty and you can see the end result, so I originally titled it mania but over time I realized I am not sure if I ever experienced mania I don’t even know what mania looks like. I have experienced euphoria a couple of times though, so then I decided to call the painting escape because I seen a little black demand that appeared to be running away at the top of the painting. I signed and dated it each time I changed the title, but I didn’t like that title over time because it made me feel that I was trying to escape from reality, so I finally titled it utter madness and then put my thumb print on the back.
NEWS
Artist’s style is ever-evolving
Jennifer L. Manfrin
Correspondent
COSHOCTON – If you’d like to experience abstract paintings composed with the artist’s unique expression of vivid colors and intricate lines, you don’t have to go to a gallery in a big city. Throughout the month of April, the artwork of area artist Jim Huff will be on display at the West Lafayette Branch Library.
Huff’s paintings are in oil on canva and, though there is a landscape in the exhibit that includes 10 pieces, most are abstracts with unique plays on color and line.
Huff, who was born and raised in Coshocton County, was first inspired to paint when he was in elementary school in
Bakersville. He picked up painting again later in life, and enjoys it as a source of relaxation. It’s an effect that makes him feel as if “the cares of life roll away,” and the act of creating his artwork has a “therapeutic effect and encourages a feeling of peace of mind.”
In addition to teaching himself various techniques, Huff also honed his talent with the help of art instructor Twila Christner at the Tuscarawas Center for the Arts. He took classes on the basics of composition and painting in oils. He said his artistic style is ever-evolving.
Huff said he is also inspired by the many talented artists in the area, and is happy to have his art on exhibit at the West Lafayette Branch Library.
“I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to display my art along with the other talented artists in this series,” Huff said.
Branch manager Andrea Schweitzer Smith agreed.
“The branch library is fortunate to coordinate with talented, local artists to provide rotating, monthly exhibits of their original works,” said Smith, who has been coordinating the art exhibits at the library for about 10 years. “Art media are varied from watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastels, ink, pencil, wood and photography.”
And just as Huff’s artistic endeavors are therapeutic for him, Smith said art has a similar effect on the visitors.
“Exhibiting artwork at the West Lafayette Branch Library is a creative way for the library to contribute to its vision of providing lifelong learning opportunities for the community. Viewing art can also positively impact your health and well-being in boo
sting critical thinking skills and creativity, while lowering stress and anxiety,” she said.
ARTS
Local artists spotlighted at Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts
Staff Writer
The Times-Reporter
A gallery reception for the 14th annual Mid Summer’s Night Art Affair will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts, 461 Robinson Drive, SE. The show will highlight recent works in a variety of media and styles created by invited artists with a Tuscarawas County connection. Doug Huston will provide piano music for the evening and refreshments will be served.
Artists participating in this year’s event are:
Jeff Beitzel, Jane Brown, Susan Cramer Stein, Anthony Contini, Sherry Crilow, Sarah Dugger, Aubrey Gealsha, Mallory Gerstacker, Charles Graham, Betty Gribble, Hillary Hendricks, Jackie Holan, Kim Hohlmayer, Kiyoe Howald, James Oliver Huff, Catherine Kendrick, Bill Koch, Jordan Lewis, Skip Limbach, Nancy McDonald, Jasmine Mills, Vivian Mosley, Barbara Palmer, Kathleen Riley, Bill Shryock, Peggy Sibila, Stephanie Speedy, Joyce Stahl, Ginny Stocker, Jon Stucky, Yan Sun, Kyle Valentini, Don Weisgarber and Hong Yin.
Loki is 47 years old, has been married for 23 years and is a father of 3. He is also a professional Artist, Designer, and Barber. As an Artist & Designer, Loki has supported many nonprofit organizations over the years through his fashion and art experience- either by being involved with charity fashion shows, fundraiser auction events, or live art performances.
As a Barber, he has connected with a wide range of community members throughout the Hudson Valley and encouraged them to use their haircut experience as a step towards better self-care.
As a Veteran of the USAF, Loki has experienced the trauma from tragic moments in our country’s history such as serving during September 11th attacks. What he has witnessed both as a military member of fellow service members who lost their lives, and as a US citizen who is from NY has left him with a diagnosis of PTSD. Loki can relate to the pain others feel from the loss of loved ones in and out of the military during the attack and subsequent wars- both in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He is also an artist, and his therapy for coping with those experiences is to be as creative as possible on a day-to-day basis. He hopes what he has shared helps other who have had similar experiences.
Loki’s motto and mission is “Love is the Key”. This stands for his passion to spread unconditional and universal love to others through his life’s work. You can view more of Loki’s art and design work at
The Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts gallery’s first gallery space has a variety of artwork on display by those people in recovery from serious mental health issues and serves as recovery and support resource center for the public. This unique gallery space blends artistic work with mental health awareness to eliminate community bias and stigma related to serious mental health diagnoses. As many people know, stigma related to serious mental health diagnoses is a major barrier in seeking recovery-based solutions to mental health problems. Our artists not only prove they are people worthy of positive attention, but they also show others that recovery is achievable and that there is no shame in having a serious mental health diagnosis. At the Mental Health Awareness and Creative Arts Gallery, we transform the hearts and minds of all towards a more Loving Supportive environment as it relates to those diagnosed with serious mental health disorders.
*The Mental Health Awareness & Creative Arts Gallery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity
