Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Durkin.
Hi Wendy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Briefly, no. But, I am an Outsider Artist using many medias. My unique, usually bright colored art comes from the circumstances of my life as well as the past. I do not know what I will paint as it takes on a life of its own and I follow the lead of the canvas. I paint my pain, frustrations, and messages in my art, hopefully, that inspire others who can relate to my story or see their own story in it. I struggled my entire life with what I was told was anxiety for 30 years, well it wasn’t that but another name was given to it 3 years ago. I paint my rage and it turns into blossoms on canvas, I paint the daily struggles of my life or paint to communicate a story. If I did not have my art, which is therapy, I don’t know what frame of mind I would have. I am a Mental Health Advocate who uses art as a means of expressing deep feelings and emotions and to heal myself and others. And sometimes a painting is whimsical and fun. My mental health is revealed to me through my art and the current season I am in, it is a great means of self-reflection and sometimes awe. I hope my art will spread world wide as I set to connect pain and the daily struggles of a mental health battle into a painting that communicates what I cannot find words . My paint brush is my voice as for decades, I did not have a voice. And the report from a Dr. does not define me! My art has purpose and communicates my internal daily struggles in navigating a brain based disorder. My art is my vehicle used as a means for comfort and connection to myself and others. They are one of a kind art pieces in acrylic, gouache, gold foil paper, clay as I loved mixed media art.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, the painting just flows out of me, but the personal struggles are real and affect me in every area of life. I spend hours on media teaching myself and updating existing skills. I struggle sometimes to get out what I want to communicate. Art is the antidote to the daily struggles. Money is also an issue being a seasoned sassy senior and I cannot invest in the products necessary for canvas art. I paint, I have no idea how to market myself, yet doors keep opening. I have suffered extreme loss in these 3 years and the only thing that got me up and dressed was my art which is purposeful and brings a quality of life that I did not have. I have physical struggles as well that stops me also at times for producing my pieces but I am always drawing no matter where I am as it helps to stop the ruminating which can be rampant and all consuming. Mental Health navigating is 24/7 and I marvel at what comes from it, my stories on canvas. I thrive through my Stories that take the negative and shed a light of hope thatcome from the final finished piece
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I was for 25 years as a Case Manager and served children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Refugees, Mental Health, Dual Diagnosis, Parolee Reentry Program and many others. I have always had a fierce Advocate heart for all. That too stems from personal sorrow and decided as my circumstance I had no voice and no one advocated for us so I became their voice. I secured their services as defined by them as needed to live the life they desire.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Well I did one pic called “Scattered Persona”. You would not look at me and think something like that could come from me. People ask if I was on drugs doing this one but I tell them, nope its all natural and that’s my head.
Pricing:
- determined by piece
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @wendydurkinart
- Other: (Artrepeneur.com) Wendy Durkin Artist-
