We recently connected with Rebecca Sculler and have shared our conversation below.
Rebecca , we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental 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.
As a teenager, I deeply struggled with my mental health and depression. I tried therapy, psychiatric medicine, and other treatment options. It was not until I tried transcranial magnetic stimulation (or TMS) that I regained the will to live and the ability to find joy. I continue to regularly see a therapist and work on my mental health. I continue to have ups and downs, but now within a much healthier range. I would not be who I am today without having found a treatment that worked for me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have always been a creative person. Ever since childhood, I have loved expressing myself through art. As a teenager, I let people discourage me and believe that a creative career would be too difficult to achieve and live comfortably but other career paths always seemed so bleak. I continued making art and exploring what a profession in the arts could look like for me. Since finishing high school, I fell in love with college art classes. I love being in art studios, creating alongside my peers, learning new techniques, and exploring new mediums. I continue to take college art classes. I have most enjoyed oil painting, drawing, and ceramics.
My paintings are mostly centered around the act of doodling – that simple, yet powerful form of creation that we all do at some point. Through my paintings, I explore how these seemingly insignificant marks can reveal so much about our inner selves. Using bold colors and playful strokes, I aim to capture the spontaneous and carefree nature of doodling while delving into deeper themes of self-expression and introspection. I hope my paintings inspire others to embrace their doodles and see them as art.
As for drawing, my full-color creations take on a flat, slightly abstract depiction of real-world things and places. I utilize the waxy finish created by applying pressure to artist-quality colored pencils.
My exploration of ceramics is new and I have already found I enjoy the glazing process. In other mediums and parts of my life, I tend to like to be in control of the outcomes but glazing has taught me to be more open to chance. I like the unpredictable ways that glazes swirl and combine when layered. There’s something freeing about creating something and being unsure of how it will look when it’s ready to be removed from the kiln. I like to joke with my peers that a good glaze design is part technique and part decision of the glaze or kiln gods.
I would call myself a perpetual student of the arts, I feel I may never grow tired of exploring new ways to create. I am still undecided about which professional art path I’ll take but the options are wide open. In the meantime, you can find my art on Instagram under the name @paintismedicine and in future student gallery opportunities that will be updated to that account.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Things will get better. There are many times in life when it is easy to sit down and acknowledge that the world is imperfect or things aren’t going according to plan but don’t let that define everything. I struggled with depression for many years and I didn’t always believe that things would get better. It’s the kind of thing people say when you least feel it but once you discover it yourself, the truth is obvious.
It’s okay to suck at something but if you want to suck less, practice. A common misconception is that creating art is a talent, not a skill. Art, like many skills, may come easier to some than others but if you learn and practice you will see improvement. It’s never too late to learn a new skill.
Curiosity may have killed the cat but I ask questions frequently and seem to be turning out alright. So often, we do the next thing without stopping to ask why. Why? Sometimes it’s easier not to ask or easier not to answer. Why? Sometimes we do things for a reason and other times for no reason. I find myself asking questions, and being curious why we do things as we do. If you are unsure, ask, and don’t assume.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My support system has given me strength and taught me the skills to be where I am today. My parents have supported me through challenges and celebrated me in moments of triumph. My therapists (past and present) have taught me skills that make up much of my behavior and mental strength. My friends have brought joy and confidence out of me. My peers have challenged me to be a better student and artist, daring me to try new things. We are a mosaic of everyone in our lives.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paintismedicine/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
