Mind Craft Showcase: August 2023

The Mind Craft Showcase features all the incredible artwork from young people nationwide, who have participated in our Mind Craft program and shared with us how their artistic expressions support their mental health journey.

Below are all the August 2023 featured submissions from other inspiring young people of the DoSomething community.

🎨 Yelannys, Florida

++++ "As someone with major depression disorder and general anxiety, it was always hard to fit in. After being inspired to draw by an artist I admired, I unlocked a part of myself I didn’t know I had in me, creativity. I was able to build a community for my art and I was grateful to have people that supported me and encouraged me through this amazing journey of self-expression without having the fear of being judged. When times would get hard, I would pick up my pencil and draw away and that would help my inner child express herself, it would be like my little self-care routine. What started as admiration for art, I then became confident and thought “If they can do it, so can I”, after countless fails came many achievements, then those achievements made me want to turn it into a hobby, and finally that hobby led me to find my art style, to create a community where I feel welcomed and find the place where I belong." ++++

🎶 Olivia, North Carolina

⏯ Play Video

++++ "Since I was young, I always turned to music when I was stressed. Music helped me express my emotions. When I am upset, worried or concerned, I usually play piano or play guitar. It helps ease my mind and turn my focus around. Music has truly helped me develop an easy going personality. When I am upset, I'm able to play music to eliminate the stress I'd normally carry on my shoulders. It's a great outlet that I'm thankful I have in my life." ++++

🎨 Shashiyu, Florida

++++ "This is a landscape painting at Sarasota, I painted it at my first year of college, as a international student. I was lost and lonely... ...the only thing that gives me comfort is my family and art making. I wish people can feel warm in this painting too." ++++

📜 Alexander, Connecticut

++++ "I've been writing poetry for over a year and a half fairly consistently. I began during COVID, one of the most mentally unstable eras of my life. It helped me connect to art and get through such a terrible time. This poem shows my growth from an overall macabre, angsty poet to a heartfelt, love poet. My mental health improved alongside my poetry." ++++

🎨 Beulah, Texas

++++ "Creating art has always made my soul sing especially in moments of mental chaos and anxiety. When I go through difficult periods when the well being of my mental health is challenged, I turn to the creative freedom of painting. Art does not expect anything of you, only the desire to create. It is in that moment when my emotions begin to stabilize and I am ready for whatever comes next." ++++

🎥 Ly, Tennessee

⏯ Play Video

++++ "Making this work of art helped me by encouraging me to reach out to friends and family and letting me speak through music. The clips in this video were all sent in by people in my circle, and the clips of piano are me playing. I dove into the world of editing to make this video, and developing a new creative skill is always gratifying and uplifting for me. But most of all, music has always been something I can express my feelings with when words fail me. To me, this video is about the beauty of our Mother Earth, small moments, community, joy, and wonder. It's about being human. Making this creative work helped ground me in a world that is ever-changing and frightening. I hope you will feel the same way I do." ++++

🥁 Dania, Texas

⏯ Play Video

"This is the cure to all of my despair while no one knew. At that moment, there was nothing else I could do but let it out because I was at my lowest point. Despite the fact that it appeared on my face that I was living the same life as everyone else around me. Every rhythm I made had a deeper significance that only I could comprehend, and as a way of clearing my thoughts, I collaborated with those who offered me the chance to make a ten-minute musical medley. This is a portion of the song's original video, and a perfect example of my pure artistic expression."

🎨 Nafeesa, Kentucky

++++ "I initially had bigger plans for this piece, but I became burnt out and lost motivation for it. Once I got out of the rut I was in, I was able to come back to it and I used the experience I had with this particular piece to create an artwork about the loss of motivation." ++++

📷 Julian, New Mexico

++++ "Making this work of art improved my mental by.. Well the thing is this isn't a work of art, its a picture with a spectacular view of the sky and my friends. This shot right here is what started the ever longing friendship and an unforgettable moment for my life." ++++

🎨 Davion, Florida

++++ "I think expressing yourself is very important when it comes to maintaining good mental health. I was never good at communicating how I felt, And as the only queer person in my family I knew that even if I explained myself perfectly they still would not understand. Today this multi media artwork hangs in my living room where my family sees it everyday. To me this artwork represents my struggle and perseverance as a queer person of color. When making this i referenced depictions of the greek myth of “atlas” whose story inspired the quote i feel like im holding the weight of the world on my shoulders, a term often used when stressed. Atlas was cursed by zues to carry the heavens (often represented as earth) forever. While it is hard work, atlas never gives up. The other symbolisms i used are my body which is covered but is meant to be naked which symbolizes vulnerability, and the setting of outer space which represents loneliness. With this piece of work i am able to communicate to my family without using words at all." ++++

🖌️ Submit your artistic expression and share how it is a beneficial part of your mental health journey for the opportunity to earn a yearlong SketchBox subscription, the best drawing and painting art supplies for you to continue exploring your creativity. (1 box per month, for 12 months, valued at $240) Join Mind Craft today!