Art & Soul Insider 2022 Feb

ART

This Art & Soul Insider, we will look at the Principle of Design of Rhythm. Rhythm suggests movement or action. You can get rhythm by the repetition of the Elements of Design (line, shapes, colours etc.) in a picture.

Here is rhythm in lines. Notice the sense of movement.

And here is rhythm in shapes (rectangles). Notice how your eye moves along the fence.

Here is a famous work by Marcel Duchamp called “Nude Descending a Stair”. It is regarded as a Modernist classic and it has become one of the most famous of its time 1912. It uses line, shape and colour in a rhythm. Using rhythm adds visual interest to the art piece.

So, whenever you wish to show movement in your art piece, use the Principle of rhythm.

SOUL

Suheel, my partner, has had some serious heart issues. To ensure that his heart keeps beating, he just underwent a procedure that implanted an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) near his heart. He is unable to lift anything over 5 pounds for over 6 weeks and cannot drive for 4 weeks. The sensitivity and tenderness is a reminder that healing is needed.

This reminds me how aware we are of our physical ails. We stop and look after our pain usually immediately. When we have a headache that lasts longer than 3 hours, we take an aspirin/Tylenol. We stub our toe, and our hand instantly attends to our toe with rubbing and holding. We rest. We take time off work when it is a serious enough issue.

And yet with our mental and emotional pains, it is another story. The Bell Let’s Talk campaign just happened. This one day, awareness, and money, is raised to help people with mental issues. On social media each time a person used the hashtag, #bellletstalk, 5 cents was donated by the Bell Company. This past week, there were 164,298,820 interactions on social media with that hashtag. Therefore a total of $8,214,941 was raised to serve people with mental health issues. The highest amount raised since its inception. Isn’t that great?!? People came together to help others. Awareness of the importance of being mentally well was recognized.

I shared my story on that day. My honesty was forthcoming, for I believe it is through openness we can take away the shame of mental illness. A few years ago I was in deep despair about my life, and I shared about this time.

I also shared an ArtWork and Words I created, years ago, while I was in the middle of my depression. It is called “True to the Core.”

It has been reported that this pandemic has taken a toll on a variety of people, mentally and emotionally. It is my hope that one would reach out to another, a Doctor or therapist/councilor to get assistance. If you are struggling emotionally and/or mentally, please get help. You don’t have to suffer alone. This link https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/get-help is a webpage that has a comprehensive list of agencies that can help. And if you would like to reach out to me, please do so.

Life can be challenging. Sometimes the valleys of life are deep and long. When we break the silence of mental illness, and treat it like a physical illness, we can get better. Trust me, there are better days ahead. Behind the clouds, the sun is still shining.

Have you heard of the #BellLetsTalk campaign? Do you know someone who has a mental illness or are you suffering? Share with me what works for you/them.