A r t i s t s
Jodi DiLiberto
I know, because quite a few people have told me, that I come across as calm and peaceful and that my presence is a reassuring one. It’s puzzling to me to have heard this even when I was at the height of my struggle with unrelenting panic attacks. If only they knew that the calm-presenting person they were encountering was doing all she could to not explode and eject pieces of brain, battered by traumatic experiences, into the Universe. There are things I can’t tell. I’m just not ready. They lurk somewhere around the edge of my aura. I’ve healed enough to not always be aware of their perpetual presence until something external reminds me.
Belmar, New Jersey, USA
That’s great progress! I haven’t had a panic attack in years. The trick, I found, is to stop fighting them but to notice them and visually bring forward the part of my brain that’s not involved. It was a wonderful surprise to realize that there were still untouched places within my psyche, and they can be reached just by imagining them. Forgiveness helps, when you can forgive. When you can’t, at least try to let go and not let those who have hurt you hurt you forever. My message, to anyone who struggles with this, is that there is a way out of it. It’s hard work, and it takes time, but it is possible. It doesn’t have to dominate your life forever. It is possible to be peaceful, and have hope, and to feel the joy to which we are all entitled. It’s possible to love your life. For me, the Arts have always been an intrinsic part of my life. As a viewer, listener, and reader I have found connection and enrichment; as a creator, fulfillment. As a painter, my work has been exhibited at the Belmar Art Center, The Art Alliance of Monmouth, Monmouth Arts, and the Guild for Creative Art; all in Monmouth County, New Jersey. As a musician, in addition to writing my own music, I play the traditional and early Music of the British Isles and Italy. My instruments are my voice, mountain dulcimer, recorder, pennywhistle, and harp. For many years, I was half of the duo, The Broad Street Troubadours, with guitarist and singer, Barry Bloodgood. We performed in Medieval and Renaissance Festivals, as well as Charity events, benefits, weddings, and First Nights. We recorded two albums and played, for ten seasons at the New York Renaissance Faire and many at the Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park in New York. As "Una Cantante", I’ve also soloed at that Festival for many years. My music has been played on Pirate Radio in Eastern Oregon, and Colette O'Connor's "Notes from New England" portion of “The Wimmin's Show" on KZUM radio.
Aimee
Garrity
New Jersey, USA
I am a Veterinary Nurse and mother of 2. Born and raised in Philadelphia and reside in south Jersey. I’ve been a dancer my whole life and truthfully this was always my outlet for stress, anxiety and depression. As I’ve gotten older my body has not always played nice so I needed to channel a new outlet. I then dabbled in acting, after all becoming someone else really helped alter reality and took me away from myself. It wasn’t until the past few years that I found a love for photography that also transformed into creating art as a composite artist. This has allowed me to tell stories with my artwork.
Like many of you, I have traveled into some seriously dark places of my mind. I know many people who have lost loved ones from the wars in their heads, which is so hard for me to hear.
I consider myself very fortunate in finding these outlets. I literally have had many conversations with myself in the mirror, and to this day a creeping thought will sometimes invade me like a long lost friend; a scar will remind me of the good pain.
I hope some of my pieces will speak to someone out there, and if your out there looking in, please find yourself that outlet and know that you matter, you are loved, your story is not over;
My name is Aimee,
Ludwig