Looking at my completed “Vincent Van Gogh Sunflower” on the back of my first jean jacket, I am amazed. I am marveling at my journey from psych ward to starting my own custom jean jacket business. After having ten ECT treatments, my psychiatrist said “Do nothing for two months to give your brain a rest.” I started drawing.
When 2019 began, I was feeling bettter. A reduction in medication, taking an art class, and doing some volunteer work was helping me get back on my feet. I had just returned to giving my Friday talks at the Behavioral Health Unit at Clermont Mercy. Then COVID-19 hit. Like everyone I was in shock. Suddenly, my son was coming home from his freshman year in college, sharing the internet with my husband who works virtually from home. But, what about my art class?
My virtual assignment came from my teacher. A drawing a day for 20 days. For extra credit, we could draw the alphabet. My first assignment? Draw your eye. I decided to post it on Facebook. What happened? People responded with likes, comments and even a share. My family and friends were commenting on how talented I was. Everything was great, until COVID hit.
Suddenly, amid this scary situation, I had a daily focus and purpose. Let me be clear, I am not a trained professional. Could I do it? Drawing each object represented its own unique challenge. All I had were my supplies from class: my pencils, my drawing journal, and my colored pencils. Yet, I was learning. Each day, I would work on my assignment, despair at least once that it I should give up, finish the drawing, and then post it on Facebook. More people started responding and commenting. I heard from people I have not heard from in years. Was I always pleased with every picture? No. You should have seen my cat. People said it looked hurt, wounded and fat. But I got numerous comments. “Love your drawings — they enliven my day,” one commenter said.
What a contrast from when I had been in class. Plagued by a constant sense of calamity, I had trouble speaking the first time I walked into that art class filled with bright young college students. After one class, the teacher had to give me a pep talk to keep me in the class. I am so thankful that I did not drop the class. Recently, I met virtually with my new nurse practitioner after my psychiatrist retired. “I am really glad you are doing so well,” she said. “When I first met you, I really wasn’t sure what to do for you.”
I am convinced that drawing daily and overcoming each little challenge is helping me rewire my brain. All the positive support I have received online has helped rebuild my confidence as well. Am I cured? No. Every day I wrestle with my mental illness.
I remember when I started with embroidery kits and didn’t like them. I started making up my own stitches to help them look more life-like. I made Ethan’s friend a sunflower on a tea towel, moved to canvas, and finally settled on pure denim. Only after three people told me I should make custom jean jackets, did I realize they were right.
“Needlework” is what I call what I have created. It is not embroidery or crewel. I started out on tea towels, went through canvas, and ended up on denim. Here is the process:
• First, I sketch the design using colored pens and pencils and create a full color mockup.
• Then, I trace my design onto water soluble paper for my pattern to place on the denim and order my thread or floss colors.
• Finally, I sew the design using the floss onto the denim. I then use hot water to dissolve the paper, allow the design to dry, iron it, and then place the design on a 11 x 14 sticky board.
“Needlework” is my own creation in the last three years or so. This is something I do with my husband on the couch in the evenings while we talk and listen to music, etc.
Today, I realized that I am like that Sunflower in the making. I am a work in progress. God isn’t finished with me yet. What God is forming, I cannot not see from the right perspective. I just have to put my faith and trust in Him.
Have you been inspired by my designs? Would you like a custom jean jacket made by me? Email me at daneiedelen@gmail.com.
Mental Health Warrior 