What our Artists say about us
A Personal Journey into Art by Flying Fish member, Galen.
Art in all of its diverse forms has always been a joy to me. Sometimes, when the darkness of my condition threatens to overwhelm me, it has been my only refuge. For many years this refuge was a retreat, a place that I fled to in times of crisis. A fortress of protection. A secret place around which my mind grew impenetrable forests and in which I locked away the doors, drew up the drawbridge. Then I was welcomed to ‘Flying Fish Artists’.
Looking through one of our local newspapers I saw an advertisement for a coffee morning. Feeling nervous I telephoned to see if someone like me (not much of an artist and royally messed up!) might be welcome. Back then paranoia and fear ruled. Assured of a warm reception yet still filled with trepidation I not only went to the coffee morning but also joined ‘Flying Fish Artists’. The act of having somewhere safe to go every week began to prise me more from my shell. By the time that I got my own keys I was feeling perfectly at ease and my art began to improve. I met other inspirational artists and found time and space to explore my own projects in an environment of support and thoughtfulness.
Over the following year this growth continued until, at one of our exhibitions, I began to sell work which gave me the confidence to take my art into the once so scary, big wide world. I met people, opened a small stall on Bideford Market 3 days a week which has proved so popular and successful that I recently moved into my own little workshop-studio selling directly to the public and open 5 days a week. A true success.
Everything that has happened to me over the past 2 years can be directly attributed to Flying Fish Artists. My mental health and general well-being are dramatically turned around, I’ve not missed a single day of work since I opened the shop. This having not been fit for work for the previous 18 years! My art has improved, I feel happier. Not cured or well, I know that there will be no miracle but, within these parameters of reason, my life has been returned to me.
There is a down side of course. My success has meant little time to see those wonderful fellow artists at Flying Fish Artists. People I am honoured to call friends. Still, as all us Bi-Polar enjoyers (I refuse to call it suffering!) know, “As one door closes, another one opens”
Art in all of its diverse forms has always been a joy to me. Sometimes, when the darkness of my condition threatens to overwhelm me, it has been my only refuge. For many years this refuge was a retreat, a place that I fled to in times of crisis. A fortress of protection. A secret place around which my mind grew impenetrable forests and in which I locked away the doors, drew up the drawbridge. Then I was welcomed to ‘Flying Fish Artists’.
Looking through one of our local newspapers I saw an advertisement for a coffee morning. Feeling nervous I telephoned to see if someone like me (not much of an artist and royally messed up!) might be welcome. Back then paranoia and fear ruled. Assured of a warm reception yet still filled with trepidation I not only went to the coffee morning but also joined ‘Flying Fish Artists’. The act of having somewhere safe to go every week began to prise me more from my shell. By the time that I got my own keys I was feeling perfectly at ease and my art began to improve. I met other inspirational artists and found time and space to explore my own projects in an environment of support and thoughtfulness.
Over the following year this growth continued until, at one of our exhibitions, I began to sell work which gave me the confidence to take my art into the once so scary, big wide world. I met people, opened a small stall on Bideford Market 3 days a week which has proved so popular and successful that I recently moved into my own little workshop-studio selling directly to the public and open 5 days a week. A true success.
Everything that has happened to me over the past 2 years can be directly attributed to Flying Fish Artists. My mental health and general well-being are dramatically turned around, I’ve not missed a single day of work since I opened the shop. This having not been fit for work for the previous 18 years! My art has improved, I feel happier. Not cured or well, I know that there will be no miracle but, within these parameters of reason, my life has been returned to me.
There is a down side of course. My success has meant little time to see those wonderful fellow artists at Flying Fish Artists. People I am honoured to call friends. Still, as all us Bi-Polar enjoyers (I refuse to call it suffering!) know, “As one door closes, another one opens”