Meet Selene

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Selene a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Selene, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
Mental health has always been a challenge, no matter the person, it just hits each one of us differently.

I have been dealing with depression for years and besides therapy, which I highly recommend, having a creative outlet worked wonders for my mental health! Having that creative freedom to just let EVERYTHING out on my canvas, to just pour my sadness and inner person as if it was the paint and let it flow, was healing.

Some people journal, others do yoga, for me it was painting.

Art is healing, no matter the type.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hi, I am Selene, owner of Selene Art Creations!

I am a disabled, LGBTQIA+ professional artist and creator. I work with mixed media paint and crochet all sorts of creations!

I have been a professional artist for quite some time now, and it wasn’t till a few years ago that I was diagnosed with Dysautonomia Orthostatic Hypotension. Since then I have become an ambulatory wheelchair user and am determined to bring light to disabilities such as Dysautonomia and its many varieties! I have since learned more accommodating ways to express myself through my art, such as dancing with my colors, whether paint or yarn, in or out of my wheelchair.

Since my diagnosis I have rebranded from “Selene Koster” to “Selene Art Creations,” since I have outgrown what my art represented. It went from just expressing myself, to so much more! My brand represents the minorities from people of color, the disabled community, those dealing with mental health issues, to the LGBTQIA+ communities.

I strive to let our voices be heard!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three things I have learned in my art journey that I believe would benefit others is:

Ignore “The Grind.” I’ve noticed in the art community ever since social media exploded, the glorification of The Grind. While it may work for some, it certainly did not work for me. I have tried for a while once I obtained the skills and it only led to burnout and comparing my self-worth with how quickly I can produce art. Know that it’s ok to just take your time! Everyone is different, so if you find that someone’s schedule is too much for you, it’s ok to take a step back and find your own process.

That is another thing, your own process. One thing I found that can absolutely destroy a budding artist/creator is comparing processes. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with sharing your processes with other artists and giving each other helpful tips and advice. I encourage it! It is the mentality that that ONE process is the ONLY process that can break your creative spirit. Explore! Study different techniques! Find your own schedule, whatever works for YOU.

Don’t try to fit in a box. I say forget the box and let the world be your playground! Art is expression! Art is play! Art can be so much more! If you are a new artist and you’re struggling to find your spark, don’t try to squeeze yourself into a shape that isn’t you.

You are unique, you are special, and your creativity is beautiful.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The number one obstacle I am currently facing is for sure my disability. Some days are really difficult to get by and it can impact my creative drive. Whether it is pain, fatigue, or the whole list!

When I have my bad health days, I learn to rest. That is one thing I had to learn the hard way in my work field. Rest is so important! I have to remind myself to take it slow, and that it is alright to miss one day of work.

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