Teya Heller
Bliss
Healing oneself can at times be a difficult task. Although there are countless remedies and cures, it still can seem out of reach. It may take some time to find the perfect outlet, but with time and patience, anything is possible. Over time, I have turned to a medium that allows me to fully engage with and conquer my emotions. I have depended greatly upon the creative outlet to help alleviate my troubles.
Using art as therapy allows a new way of communication to occur. It has made me realize that our emotions can act as their own language and can help express what we cannot talk about. I love that I am able to tell the world what is wrong and what I am feeling without anyone knowing what is going on in my head. This form of therapy truly gives a sense of freedom and relief. It is very easy to let these emotions go as I create my own visual journals. With every brushstroke and push of a file, a celebration emerges as I have overcome another obstacle. Creating art not only gives my mind a distraction, but it gives a blissful experience upon completion. After each project, I get a better understanding of myself and my emotions.
Different experiences tend to yield different results in my works. Different emotions depict variations in line quality, color and how busy my designs are. Repetitive loops, lines and curves are not only soothing to create, but also visually satisfying once complete. I use color to help express emotion along with these other elements to create my own therapy. I even use different media to depict what I am feeling. Free-flowing resin and paint allows a meditative process to occur. Physical manipulation of materials releases tension and is very soothing.
In my most recent work, I drew inspiration from another culture. I admire Buddhists for their constant composure and self-reflection. I am specifically inspired by their art form of the mandala. The creation of the mandala relaxes my mind and puts me into a meditative state. Using repetitive petals, loops and patterns in a radial pattern, my mind can drift off and relax. I have used the patterns and mandalas combined with bright, fun colors to show my success as I continue to improve. My processes and inspirations have become an artistic journey to a healthy mind.
