Darovitz’s journey with pin art began in grade school in Metro Detroit, where he was captivated by Georges Pierre Seurat’s Pointillism technique of applying small dots of color in patterns to create intricate paintings. Inspired by this method, Darovitz experimented with various art styles and mediums until he exclusively focused on Pointillism. He discovered that replacing a paint brush with map pins he could create pointillistic style imagery. Thousands of pins are painstakingly hand-placed, resulting in a compelling image with texture and dimension. It takes Darovitz hundreds of hours and to create one art piece.

Despite his artistic success, Darovitz faces challenges with Clinical Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, mental illnesses that surfaced later in life. Art became his therapy, providing him with an outlet for expression and a means to cope with his mental health struggles.

“I realized that creating pin art was very therapeutic and helped me get through some tough episodes of anxiety and depression,” explained Darovitz. “My mental illness would often stifle my creative process for long periods of time. Producing art has become an integral part of my ongoing recovery.”

Darovitz recently debuted three collections created over the last several years and through several bouts of anxiety and depression. His first series titled ‘Influencers’ features 20 celebrities that have suffered from or are advocates for mental illness such as Taylor Swift, Mark Wahlberg, Madonna, among several others.

Darovitz followed his first series with ‘Right Brain, Loves Trains.’ This two-piece collection featured various images of trains, a life-long interest of Darovitz. His latest series – dubbed ‘Coastal Life’ –reflects the peace and tranquility he has found amidst life’s challenges.

Darovitz’s story resonates with many, as statistics show that mental health disorders affect millions worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability globally, with more than 264 million people affected. Anxiety disorders, on the other hand, affect over 284 million people worldwide.

As part of his commitment to mental health advocacy, Darovitz is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, supporting their mission to improve the lives of those affected by mental illness. Through his art and advocacy, Darovitz is not only battling his own mental health afflictions but also shedding light on an issue that impacts millions worldwide.

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Author’s bio:

John Darovitz is an artist and entrepreneur based in Daytona, FL. His passion for art began in grade school where he discovered Pointillism, a style popularized by Georges Seurat. Over the years, Darovitz experimented with various mediums before choosing map pins as his primary tool.

Diagnosed with clinical depression and generalized anxiety later in life, Darovitz found art to be therapeutic and an ongoing component of his recovery. He dedicated four years to create a 20-piece pin art series called ‘Influencers,’ calling attention to high-profile celebrities who struggled with or advocated for mental health such as Kobe Bryant, Taylor Swift, Eminem, among several others.

In 2023, Darovitz relocated from Michigan to Florida and started a new series, ‘Coastal Life,’ which captures the joyful essence of beach life, reflecting his vibrant new surroundings.

For more information about ArtbyDarovitz or to follow Darovitz’s journey, visit artbydarovitz.com.

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WHY ARE ARTISTS ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO DEPRESSION?

These specific characteristics explain why artists may struggle with depression:

• Enhanced intuition – Artists possess the next level of intuition that helps them bring out deep feelings on canvas or screen. This, however, comes with increased sensitivity that can make daily life challenging for them. Living in a superficial, materialism-driven world can be difficult for an artist.
• Open mind – To understand the world on a broad spectrum, artists must be the ones with an open mind.
• Melancholic temperament –  The biggest percentage of artists with depression belongs to the melancholic type. They simply observe the world, absorb it, and express it through their art. Melancholy and increased sensitivity is tied to depressive disorder.

A combination of these traits outlines the link between a depressive state and creativity potential. In general, working in the arts is specific in so many ways. It asks the artist to be vulnerable, unique, and push the boundaries.

LONELINESS IS ANOTHER LINK BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND CREATIVITY

Most great artists prefer to work by themselves, without external distractions. When alone, they can think, contemplate, experiment, express emotions, etc. Artists can be misunderstood precisely due to their creative streak. They often feel misunderstood by others who aren’t familiar with creative processes. Artists can have a hard time co-existing with the superficiality of the world and lack of care for deeper exploration of human emotions and experiences. Further loneliness and strained relationships with the world may push them further into a depressive state.

There are many famous artists who struggled with depression throughout their lifetimes:

• Michelangelo Buonarroti
• Vincent Van Gogh
• Edvard Munch
• Jacob Lawrence
• Edgar Degas

EXPRESSING DEPRESSION THROUGH ART

Some studies have even found that people with depression are more likely to be creative than people who don’t have the condition. This is likely due to the fact that depression can lead to a change in perspective, which can lead to new ideas.

The stigma around depression is still present. Thanks to artists, the message about the severity of this disorder reaches millions worldwide. Visual representation of an artist’s personal story makes others with similar struggles feel seen. Depression is the modern world’s most widespread disease that doesn’t discriminate. Artists, therefore, act as mediums between the deep and complex experiences depression entails and their audience.

Art therapy has been given a lot more credit recently. Through creative work, patients recovering from a major depressive disorder can express how they feel without using words. Their artwork serves as a mirror to their inner state and helps them understand what they go through. Moreover, creative work takes patients’ minds off worries, intrusive thoughts, etc.

FUNCTIONAL DEPRESSION IS COMMON AMONG ARTISTS

Artists who suffer from depression aren’t necessarily glued to bed and unable to leave their room or studio. Many of them are able to present their work in galleries and converse with others. Functional depression can be hard to spot, especially if a person learns techniques (way of speaking, posture, gestures) to conceal it.

DEPRESSION ISN’T NECESSARILY LINKED TO CREATIVITY

Depression and creativity are words that don’t typically go hand in hand. However, there is evidence to suggest that creativity can be improved when depression is treated. This is because depression can block the creative process by interrupting focus and diminishing motivation. However, treatment for depression can help to restore these key factors, leading to increased creativity.

PSYCHOTHERAPY CAN HELP ARTISTS AND THEIR FUTURE WORK

Like any other people, artists aren’t exempt from much-needed mental health. The mainstream notion that artists heal themselves through their art is far from true. Art is undoubtedly a healthy coping mechanism. However, it can’t replace psychotherapy, especially when it’s necessary.

THE BEST THERAPISTS FOR ARTISTS HAVE HAD ARTIST PATIENTS BEFORE

They understand the mindset and lifestyle of artists and what motivates them. Also, they know how to customize therapy according to the artist’s habits. The main goal is to help artists cope with depression the right way and therefore take their art to the next level. The process might take a lifetime in some cases. However, it does help in the long run.

CONCLUSION

So, is there a genuine connection between depression and creativity? The answer is – not entirely. It would be inconsiderate to say that depression is what drives an artist’s creativity. While depression indeed changes an artist’s perspective, it can also block their full potential. Adequate psychotherapy is there to help restore creativity and joy in life. It can also be a catalyst that helps artists move forward with their creative expression.

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Author Bio: Melanie Walker is a part-time consultant and contributing writer at Archstone Behavioral Health. After majoring in psychology and arts, she decided to bring her two favorite fields together through essays.

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MENTAL HEALTH CRISES ART CAN HELP YOU CONQUER

No matter the situation, you can always turn to an artform to get you through it. These are a few of the mental health crises that can be improved by creating art:

Depression

Depression touches more than 17 million people in the U.S. alone¹. It often leads to feelings of worthlessness, lack of accomplishment, and overall emptiness. Getting involved with artistic work can combat those feelings because of the positive emotions it can bring. Creating a song might make you feel accomplished as a writer, singer, and musician, for example. Drawing a lifelike picture can give you a sense of achievement. Creating a gorgeous sculpture of someone you love can give you confidence about your gifts and purpose.

Divorce

People experience a multitude of emotions when they undergo divorce proceedings. Depression, fear, and lack of purpose are three common emotional reactions to losing an integral long-term relationship. Discovering your identity in art can bring you out of the emotional avalanche of a divorce. It can place your life into perspective and help you find your most treasured creativity. Your artwork² can also help you create a business that could earn you the money you need to pay your bills after your marriage ends. You might become a renowned painter after using your pain to create an irresistible work of art.

Job Loss

The loss of a job can be one of the most devastating experiences in life. It can be worse for you if it’s a job on which you based the future of your career. The arts can help you bounce back from a job loss. Maybe you have a knack for writing³ poetry, stories, and journals. You can use all your frustration and disappointment to create a heartfelt poem that you could later turn into a popular song. Maybe you can write a story about the adventures you had while you were on the job. That story could even end up being a best-seller.

Anxiety

Anxiety can cause life-crippling fear that can disrupt and destroy your attempts to move forward. You can find a remedy in creating art, however. One benefit of using art to combat anxiety is that it will help you focus. Keeping your mind focused on your projects will block out the negative or fearful thoughts that enter your mind. Furthermore, you’ll have the courage to accomplish something, and you’ll benefit even more once you’re finished with your project. Painting and writing require a lot of concentration, so they might be just the thing you need to harness your creativity and tamp down your anxiety.

Loneliness

Sometimes, you might just be lonely. Your artwork can become your best friend once you put your heart and your best work into it.

Drug Addiction

Drug addiction⁴ puts a strain on your mental health and psyche for numerous reasons. It can cause you to lose relationships and job prospects, and it can cause you financial problems that invite depression into your life. Artwork is an excellent element to add to your recovery regimen. It can be a good form of distraction or replacement therapy. It can also teach you things about yourself that you may not have known. You might be an incredible artist, for example. Taking the time to explore the arts while recovering from your addiction can help to shape your artistic abilities. It’s not uncommon for certain drug and alcohol addiction programs to offer alternative therapies that implement art. That means starting an art journey puts you on the right track toward battling your addiction.

TIPS FOR USING ART TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Now that you know that you can use art to improve your mental health, you just need to know how you can make it happen. These are some tips for incorporating art into your mental health and wellness:

Find Your Niche

First, you need to figure out which art form is most feasible for you to get involved in. You can do that by trying a few different things and then choosing the medium that makes you the happiest. You may have more than one talent, but you should focus on one that you can nurture.

Think About Your Purpose

Think about how you want to use your talent aside from improving your mental health. Ask yourself if you can benefit from it financially or in some other way.

Gather Your Supplies

Gather all the supplies you need for your activity. Go out and buy yourself a large canvas and all the colors in the rainbow if you’re going to paint, for example. Get yourself some studio equipment for your songs. You get the idea. 

Meet Like-Minded People

Being surrounded by individuals with the same goals and talents is essential. Those people can be a support system during this challenging time or be collaborators, advisors, and mentors.

Enjoy Everything You Do

Don’t ever rush a work of art or force yourself to create art when you don’t want to. The whole point of partaking in art is to enjoy it. So, delay working on your craft until you’re in the mood to give it your best. You’ll enjoy the finished product much more knowing that you had a fabulous time creating it.

START USING ART TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL

Now you know how you can take advantage of your artistic abilities to help resolve common mental health issues. Using the information above to improve the quality of your life and eliminate mental health imbalances can not only be beneficial, but a chance for personal discovery.

Author Bio: Dr. Harshi Dhingra is a licensed medical doctor with specialization in Pathology. She is currently employed as faculty in a medical school with tertiary care hospital and research center in India as well as a medical review for Sunshine Behavioral Health. She has vast experience of over a decade in diagnostic, clinical, research and teaching work. She has strong interest in medical content writing and reviewing. She also has several publications and citations in indexed peer reviewed journals.

Sources:

1 nimh.nih.gov – Major Depression

2 health.harvard.edu – The Healing Power of Art

3 creativenonfiction.org – Writing Memoir and Writing Therapy

4 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov- The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

All images courtesy of Pexels.com

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