MENTAL HEALTH AND THE ‘KNOW YOUR CRAZY’ BOOK

Time and again I learn about little differences between the UK and USA.

Since launching a book in the USA whilst living in the UK, I have become conscious of celebrations being marked at different times of year, eg. Mother’s Day 2021 in the UK was 14th March, in the USA it will be 9th May.

Regarding awareness campaigns, again we are different - Mental Health Awareness Month in the USA is the whole of May. In the UK, Mental Health Awareness Week is 10th-16th May and Mental Health Month occurs in October. Internationally, mental health awareness is symbolised by a green ribbon, and World Mental Health Day is on Sunday 10th October.

This March, along with my ‘Know Your Crazy’ colleagues, I was part of a Zoom* with Maya Azucena (singer and activist) and Dr. Robi Ludwig (Psychotherapist and reporter). The Zoom event was called ‘Embrace Your Crazy’ and was a conversation about our ‘inner critics’ and also covered the subject of hysteria.

This introduction to Dr. Robi Ludwig has led to more interviews and frank conversations with her about mental health. To my delight, she rates my ‘Know Your Crazy’ book (and the boxset of prints) highly.

We have talked further about the immediate impact of pictures and their usefulness as a communication tool, a ‘shortcut’ allowing us to relate our inner feelings and emotions – often with more instant accuracy than words.

The ‘Know Your Crazy’ images do confront us with our anxieties, fears, our confusion, comedy and tragedy, but in an unthreatening and creative way which makes starting up a meaningful and honest conversation a lot easier.

I am really happy that the pictures spark constructive communication. Even in my own experience I have had feedback from a very wide demographic (a 14 year old girl and a 90 year old lady spring to mind). I have also heard from men.

Our society is becoming more honest about speaking out, but the mental health sector is chronically underfunded and unable to reach or help everyone in need. We live in anxious times and the strain on the health system is all too apparent.

Help usually begins with ‘being allowed’ to be truthful and frank. Simply being heard and being allowed to express uncomfortable feelings, either with a friend or with a professional, can prevent worse mental states developing.

Visualising and expressing thoughts via art is not a new concept by any means but I am glad that this book has helped some people to recognise some of their own states of mind. By shining a light on specific feelings we can often find that they are insignificant, even funny.

Words are easy, actually seeking help for real can be the most difficult part, but I am inclined to favour believing that humans are basically kind, and that we want to help each other. Reaching out, being vulnerable and honest are risks sometimes worth taking. Nobody can help us if they are not aware that there is a problem.

I wish you all a great month of May and ‘a good mental health month’ every month of the year.

*You can still see the “Embrace Your Crazy’ Zoom, organised by Cheryl Benton/The Three Tomatoes here: https://youtu.be/n6_qo5fU63E

*My interview with Dr. Robi Ludwig will be aired soon – details of that and my monthly book club can be found at: www.knowyourcrazy.net

Inner Landscapes

This December sees the release of a book of my drawings - ‘KNOW YOUR CRAZy’. It is officially released on 15th December and you can find out more about it at: knowyourcrazy.net It has been a rollercoaster journey, but in the middle of November I received 5 books in the post from Rene Harbison who has done such an amazing job printing these drawings, and all the hard work and the steep learning curve has been REALLY worth it.

The next big thing will be receiving a boxed set of 8”x10” prints - I can’t wait to see them. I have had a number of interviews since the books got made. Though I am not used to talking so publicly about my visual work, a couple of things have already become apparent when talking about these drawings. Firstly, it has been brilliant to realise that these pictures resonate so immediately with people, but even at this early stage I am becoming aware that when explaining the initial inspirations, I am wanting to hold back a bit. Not because I disown any of these feelings or mental states, but that I am a bit reluctant to ‘overwrite’ the instant personal reaction a viewer gets from seeing the images for themselves - and I love hearing about people’s own interpretations of the pictures.

The book itself was the brainchild of Cindy Da Silva, and has since, with the help of her amazing team, and with the vision of Rene Harbison, become an actual physical book. And a boxset of prints! And I love it!

This brings me to the second thing I have become aware of being asked about - and that is what it is I want to say with this book?

I have come to see it as as a book that starts conversations about our ‘inner landscapes’. Sometimes these are tricky subjects. Though it is quite a lighthearted book at first glance, it resonates and connects in a very deep and basic way. It lets us know we all experience many of the same insecurities, joys and foibles and it is ok to laugh at ourselves or get ourselves help. It is complex being human!!

A percentage of the profits of this book will be going towards the ‘Know Your Worth’ charity. Our hope here is to give a talented female the means to get into further education within the creative field. We will always need more women in the arts.

Once more a huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped with getting the book out there. Also a huge THANK YOU to everybody who contributed to the crowdfunding campaign - I will be seeing some of you soon for a chat and a singing session! Look forward to it. I wish everyone a wonderful 2020 Christmas.

Keep safe and keep going.

‘KNOW YOUR CRAZy’ - the Book and the Limited Edition Box

This month I am finally able to talk to you about the book that has been in the pipeline for a while. With the help of Cindy da Silva and Rene Harbison, it is now a physical reality! The corona virus may have delayed us and changed a few things, but it has not stopped us.

‘KNOW YOUR CRAZy’ is a collection of my drawings, collages and monoprints that chart parts of my inner landscape over time. It has light and shade. The art book feels quite lighthearted but it also has a weight that resonates instantly and deeply with the viewer. I have been pretty overwhelmed by the response to it, and have come to realise how many of these emotions and experiences are universal and understood by everyone…especially the women!

The spelling of the book title is intentional. It is not trying to tell you that you ARE crazy, it is more of an invitation to recognise and embrace all of your inner demons, angels, thoughts and reactions that make you who you are.

A picture, like music, often says it better than words. It is not a psychology book, but the images can be interpreted in many ways and ignite conversations about subjects we often don’t think to discuss. Women have told me that even though it is not the written word, it would make a good ‘book club’ discussion night.

Sometimes we need help, sometimes we need a cry, sometimes we just need a good belly laugh!

Signing Certificates of Authenticity for the Limited Edition Boxed Sets of prints.

Printed sheets of the book prior to cutting, folding and binding. (In Texas)

I wanted to make an audio track to partner this project, and Chris White’s song ‘Hold Your Head Up (Woman)’ seemed perfect. The song is an anthem to the strength of women. The crowdfunding campaign enabled us to offer voice recording opportunities here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/know-your-crazy

I worked out an a cappella arrangement (fairly true to the ‘Argent’ version) that could be performed by women. Technology being used as it is right now, made it seem very possible to share this out and have singers from around the world join in. So Chris and I worked on a two minute track, recording myself and Emily Hanslip as ‘choir’. The fabulous Bianca Kinane recorded independently and sent us the lead vocal (thanks to Tom Wilson for engineering).

‘Hold Your Head Up - Almost A Cappella Version’ to be recorded by women.

The recording as it now stands will be the track that our Indiegogo singers will sing along to, getting recorded in a professional studio. I will go through a choice of vocal lines with the singers via Zoom to make sure they are singing in their comfortable range before their recording dates. Their voices will then feature on a track to be mixed back here in the UK.

The initial thought for this track was to use it for publicity, but it seems likely it will develop into something else further down the line. A video will also get made. Watch this space.

Crowdfunding became necessary to put together the ‘coffee table piece’ - a Limited Edition Boxed set of prints. This has necessitated creating a little ‘KNOW YOUR CRAZy’ world, which you can now find through the links below - thanks to Cindy and crew including fab Pam, with Cayla, Jaclyn, Kobain, Kristin, Megan, Mollie and Liz. Thanks to Rene of course and also to Erica, Chris T and Chris W.

HUGE THANKS to everyone who has helped this project along so far. I REALLY appreciate it, and look forward to singing with some of you soon.

Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/know-your-crazy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/knowyourcrazybook

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knowyourcrazybook

Website:  http://knowyourcrazy.net/

Vivienne Boucherat's Website: https://www.vivienneboucherat.com/

Contact: knowyourcrazybook@gmail.com