Documentary series- artists with mental illness

Hello!

My name is LauraAmy Patterson, I am a photographer based in San Jose California. I have always wanted to use my work to tell a story, especially stories that need to be told.

As an artist who struggles with mental illness myself (and whose life is directly affected by that) I started wondering if other artists who struggle with mental illness have reactions to rejection the same way I do. I searched on line and realized there isn't much out there at all about being an artist with mental illness, that isn't based off of us being 'crazy'.

It was at this point I made a call for artists post on Instagram, in which I boosted, hoping there would be at least some people who replied. The response I received. Was. Unreal. I got over 120 responses from all over the United States! My heart was so moved and so full, I had hit a chord. There are so many others that want their story to be heard too.

Over the last 4 months I have begun a journey that is sacred in it's own right. There are 56 participants, in which most are living in other states and a handful that live here in the Bay Area. As I will be doing photos as well as the interviews, this means I will be sending cameras and film to the people participating.

I will be presenting these interviews and photos in an exhibition at a gallery (tbd) within the next year as I will have many hours of interviews to go through and film to develop, scan and edit.

I am going to be publishing the interviews and photos together physically, and will also be making an online gallery website with the interviews and photos for those who are out of state.

Half of all the sales of the book will go to a suicide crisis group (tbd).

This series means the world to me and I had no idea how big it would become. In my life I have often felt so alone, like no one understood me. At times to the point of no longer wanting to be alive. It makes my heart sing to think that this series will bring hope to people's lives and I ask if you are able to donate any amount towards this series it will be dearly appreciated!