"Before & After" Set by Abby P. 14"  x 14"

 Artist Statement:
Before (Active Addiction)

I struggled the most with human connection before I got sober. My piece titled Before represents my struggles, madness and chaos that were my emotions while using. I was in a constant state of panic and distress, struggling to feel anything but hopeless and alone.

After (Recovery)

Writing enables me to feel and express my connection to the world around me, to others and to myself. My piece titled After shows my triumphs once I finally got sober and the peace and wholeness I have experienced since getting clean. Sobriety gave me the chance to see the beauty of the world around me and fall in love with other peoples’ spirits, as well as my own.

Writing is my main form of art. Venting the tornado of thoughts I still have, condensing what is whirring in my mind, getting the mess out of my head and onto paper are the reasons I write. It is a form of meditation for me and a way to connect to the God within. Through writing I am able to condense, clarify and organize my thoughts. Then I am better able to convey my thoughts to other people.

Words fascinate me. I like the way that words look on the paper. Handwritten things are beautiful to me because they are so intentional and meaningful. This comes from my childhood when my mom wrote me notes. Words and writing are a huge part of our culture. Writing is the basis of change. Whether it be a screenplay for movies, newspapers, speeches, articles or my journal – writing has the power to create and fuel cultural movement and transformation.

Writing is such a personal thing. If people want to see into my mind I want them to put effort into reading deeply, which is why I write in differing patterns. I want my reader to try to read and understand. They will if they really want to understand.

Silent auction winners must pick up their item at the "Canvas of Hope” event or arrange for pick up at a mutually scheduled date/time in advance with Hope Creates. Please contact Jeni Luhrs to schedule your pickup: 
· 314-282-5389 or 

· jeni.fehr@hopecreates.org 

 

For silent auction winners located outside of the St. Louis metropolitan area, the buyer is responsible for costs for shipping their purchased items from St. Louis to their destination. Buyers are responsible for paying Hope Creates the full shipping costs, to be paid when the cost is assessed based on weight and geographic location. Shipping costs will be processed with silent auction items within 4 business days of auction close.