Mind Craft Showcase: December 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 December 2023 featured submissions from other inspiring young people of the DoSomething community.

🪡 Natalie, Arizona

+++ "This artwork helped me deal with some of my anxiety about climate change by allowing me to express it through art. Specifically, I used fusible web and fabric to create a scene of a melting iceberg (which presumably fell off a glacier). ⤵ Furthermore, the scene is surrounded by a band of yellow to represent the sun and the warming earth. The entire scene is bordered by the colors of the Arizona flag to represent the state that I live in and the role the Arizona has in the climate crisis and in developing the solar solutions. Creating this fusible web fabric artwork supported my self-care routine by allowing me to be creative and artistic. Creating this fusible web fabric artwork helped me with the mental health challenge of climate anxiety because it enabled me to creatively express my climate fears through an artistic medium and channel my worries into productive art, which can also serve as activism." +++

🎶 Ayden, Connecticut

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"This [piece of music] helped my mental health by giving [me] a new way to express [myself]."

🖌️ Daniel, Illinois

+++ "In the creation of 'Untitled,' I found a profound connection between the theme of human ambition represented by the horses and my journey through mental health challenges. ⤵ The relentless movement and innovation embodied by the horses became a metaphor for my inner struggles and the constant quest for answers in the face of life's repetitiveness. Moreover, through the medium of screenprinting, I found a type of mediative flow state while pressing ink onto the canvas that allowed me to ease away all the stress and anxiety in my life. This is the very reason I like art at the end of the day, beneath all the stress of "getting it right" and "doing it the right way" lies an unexplainable bliss when you enter that flow state." +++

✏️ DeShawn, Michigan

+++ "Creating this drawing helped me to better understand that I can get to where I want artistically even when others [around] me say that it’s just not possible. ⤵ Because of the limits of the people around me, they always try to belittle my dreams and ambitions, and most of the time it really soaks in. My yearning wish has always been to study abroad in Italy to see all of the art that’s inspired me to push forward with my dreams. Every small detail in this drawing warped me into the very city that inspires me constantly and that’s what even kept me going to finish it." +++

🐲 Tatum, Ohio

+++ "Sometimes it is difficult for me to express myself through writing or speaking out loud. But with sewing, especially with this piece, a channel opens up and I'm able to share what is in my mind, to share how I grow and change every day-- little by little. ⤵ Sewing and creating costumes has helped me through some rough times; such as loss of a loved one, stress over school, and feeling burnt out over work. It gives me so much, and being an artist is a true gift." +++

🖌️ Abigail, Idaho

+++ "I have a tendency to not focus on myself and be selfless, so for me to have my own self-care is important, even though I've been ignoring it lately. But I eventually make time for myself, and my self-care is to make art. ⤵ I enjoy expressing myself through my artwork, which almost shows off what I am able to create. And doing my self-care clears up my mental health even more. Like this piece, I wanted to show how art seeps through artists who have a passion for it, and they get better and better the more they practice and refine their skills. Getting their artwork shown from all the years of work they put in." +++

🧶 Sophia, California

+++ "This piece of art supported my self-care routine by allowing me to have an authentic way to express myself without having to use my words. It is a form of a self portrait and it encouraged me to think about things that were important to me and improved my mental health. ⤵ The art in and of itself also represents something that I do to help my mental health which is swimming. Swimming is the perfect time for me to let my mind wander or for me to be very focused on the set while getting a good workout and I always leave practice feeling a lot better. Overall, through this piece I was able to expressed myself and my feelings and reflect on my habits which help me maintain good mental health even when things get difficult." +++

🖼️ Ava, South Carolina

+++ "This artwork allowed me to relieve stress by painting with a paint palette knife and discovering the beauty in messiness. The artwork represents new opportunities that I’m looking forward to as a senior in high school. ⤵ The colors and cat subject matter highlighted my personality and how I perceive life. I love including color in my artwork. The abstractness of the city emphasized how the future isn’t always clear and it is constantly changing. During the creation of this work of art I had to manage my time and it allowed for me to understand my own creative mind. Filling in blank space was what I struggled with the most, and it made me realize that is applicable in my life too. Sometimes knowing what you need to feel fulfilled and satisfied with your life is a struggle. Through this artwork, I learned many creative techniques and I am proud of the message I was able to represent." +++

✂️ Wuhu, Philippines

+++ "Making this artwork helped me forget my daily worries. The artwork represents a pet dog with its play pen! ⤵ It reminded to treasure my pets more since it can help my mental health (and can be part of my self-care routine). The thing with art installations is that you can have fun combining readily-available items from your home!" +++

🎨 Lashayla, North Carolina

+++ "Painting has always been my favorite hobby as it has allowed me time to create new things and get a break from my academics. ⤵ Art classes are what have gotten me through both high school and my first few years of college so I am really grateful to have the opportunity to paint as much as I can. I try to give myself time each week to paint even if it's just a little doodle!" +++

🖌️ 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!