Painting to me is like a form of therapy, so with vivid constellations, I spent one to two hours a day for a year and a half just painting what I felt that day. I didn’t think very much about what I wanted people to see; I fully focused on what I wanted to feel when I looked at vivid constellations and what I wanted other people to feel when they looked at it. I started creating this painting the same year I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, so it really showed me how mental health can really affect a person, and I see that through vivid constellations. It shows my challenges with mental health, my ability to overcome mental health through therapy, medication, and art, and how weird and different mental health can be for every person. Vivid constellations ended up turning into a bunch of different images that I think every person, when they look at it, they see something new. Even though I didn’t attempt to make images, it still mostly just turned into a bunch of different weird images all mushed together. That’s why I find vivid constellations so beautiful; it illustrates that mental health doesn’t have to be a barrier, but rather a catalyst for growth. It serves as a reminder that despite our struggles, we have the power to transform adversity into something beautiful and inspiring. And that, to me, is the essence of vivid constellations.

David Santana

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Art holds tremendous power for me because it possesses the ability to heal. During my young adult years, when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I faced incredibly challenging times. However, amidst the turmoil, painting and creating art became my refuge. Through this journey, I discovered how to channel my emotions onto canvas, revealing not only the inner workings of my mind but also showcasing my triumph over negative emotions while expressing the beauty of positivity. Art infused with emotion has always captivated me in a profound, indescribable manner. Perhaps that's why I find myself drawn to abstract art the most. While I may not excel at articulating my thoughts, I've discovered a talent for conveying the emotions I experience through abstract art. When I create, I aspire for viewers to connect with the emotions I'm feeling, evoking sensations they may not even be accustomed to. When I was in second grade, I fell in love with art class and decided to share my aspiration of becoming an artist with my teacher. However, she discouraged me, suggesting I pursue something else. Despite not excelling in creating realistic images, I've found my niche as an abstract artist. This experience pushed me away from art until later on I finally rediscovered my passion and decided to pursue it again. I share this because I believe talent isn't a prerequisite for creating meaningful art.