The Story
I painted—it made me feel better.
In my early twenties, I was really struggling with my mental wellbeing. I had never picked up a paintbrush before, but a friend suggested that painting might help. I was desperate.
So I thought, why not?
Add the 1994 interview with JMS? If it’s on YouTube?
What I discovered was life-changing. Painting became a new language for me, a way to express things I had no words for. More than that, it opened a window for others to understand what I was going through. It allowed people to connect with me, to support me—and, just as powerfully, it gave them permission to share their own stories too.
I could tell you hundreds of stories about the connections I’ve made, all from simply having the courage to be vulnerable and share. That vulnerability broke down walls and gave others the freedom to open up about their own challenges, hopes, and dreams. There’s no greater honor than being trusted in that way.
In the end, creativity felt like discovering a superpower. It didn’t just help me—it transformed my life. And now, I want to share that with others.
