We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Patricia Wahl. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Patricia below.
Patricia, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? 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.
Growing up, I was subjected to bullying by my peers, physical and emotional abuse by my parents, and sexual abuse by my step-grandfather. Throughout most of my childhood, I felt neglected as my parents’ attention was focused on my dad’s health issues. He was in and out of the hospital for several years, which left my mom to care for him, hold down a job, and look after me. This became the norm until my parents divorced when I was 12.
As an adult, I had to take on the roles of both a wife and a mother at the young age of 18. Now, at the age of 49 and a half, I still suffer from mental health issues. I experience triggers, PTSD, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Standing up for myself and advocating for myself are still difficult things for me to do, but I am slowly getting better at it. It has been a long and challenging journey, but with age, I am becoming wiser and stronger.
By learning to set boundaries and practicing self-care and self-love, I am making progress. I wish I had known at 18 or even younger what I know now at 49. It’s never too late to start working on yourself to make a difference, be happy in your skin, and embrace life to the fullest.
My latest painting, titled “Pluck the day” is a beautiful call to live in the present moment and cherish each precious second as if it were a free bird soaring through the sky. By staying present, letting go of the past, and focusing on the positive aspects of your life and happiness, you can truly appreciate the beauty of each moment.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a visual artist who was born and raised in South Louisiana. I always had a passion for the arts and loved drawing and painting as a student. I attended Berwick High School in Berwick, Louisiana where I studied art under the direction of Rebecca Bergeron. I had some of my high school artwork displayed at the University of Southern Louisiana. As an adult, I continued to become a self-taught artist with a special interest in abstract art and the use of acrylics as my medium.
I love the use of different techniques that can be achieved with acrylic paints. I use many different pallet knife effects as well as brush stroke effects to create and obtain a certain look I am going for in an abstract painting. I also love using fun kitchen gadgets or tools from the tool box to create my art.
My favorite thing to do is use recycled materials to create my pieces. Whether it be a recycled canvas, used frame, used artist paints from the local recycling center, or unique found materials, I find a way to incorporate those into my works of art. I love doing murals and creating them on different backgrounds such as walls, fish houses, pianos, etc.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
If you have an idea in mind, get it on paper. Write down your thoughts and sketch it out.
There is no right or wrong way to create art. Be creative and let those ideas hit the canvas.
Know your worth, in art and more importantly, in life!
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Besides creating abstract art, I do commissions as well and my ideal client is one who will tell me their vision, the story behind it, maybe some details like size and colors, and then let me have at it and create!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @patricia.wow
- Facebook: @patriciaann.artist
Image Credits
Sami Jo Photography
