Kimmy and the Bipolarbuterflyproject

My name is Kimmy, I am the creative behind the bipolar Butterfly Project. I am a self taught , accidental art activist using my experience with mental illness as inspiration for the @bipolarbutterflyproject Hoping to raise awareness and help end the stigma on mental illness. I originally built my brand, @Makikisart (Mama and Aunt Kiki mooshed) with custom hand painted stemware and with the help of social media, I was shipping world wide. Business was booming and I was struggling to keep up before I had my 1st major manic episode. I am Bipolar 1 with Generalized and Anxiety Disorder. I painted a butterfly in the midst of that yet-to-be- diagnosed episode and later realized how well it not only suits the dual sides of Bipolar, but all mental illness. How on one side we try to show our best, most beautiful selves even when we may be crumbling on the other. I received such an overwhelming outpour of response from the mental health community when I shared about it, I decided to paint a whole series. One day while painting I heard a segment on NPR about mental health and violence/suicide. Many awful statistics. But the one I was obbsessed with is the #2cause of death for 10-34 years olds is suicide (that may be just here in the states) I had a 10 and 13 year old. Who are genetically predisposed to struggle with depression and anxiety. I decided right then that I want to use this for something more. I want to help raise awareness and end the stigma on mental health. I want my children and their entire generation to feel comfortable addressing mental health and seeking help when needed. This movement was born Nov 2019. And during 2020, a world pandemic, it has blossomed with 9 public art installations in neighboring cities and I have 10 more lined up. I want to give mental health a visual representation that builds community and support as effectively as pink ribbons and rainbows do. No demographic is untouched by mental illness. And now, more than ever mental illnes mental illness rates are rising due to the financial and social stresses of the pandemic, political division and civil unrest. Combating the stigma is so simple. Just talking, opening up, NORMALIZING conversation and non judgemental speech about mental health. So many lives could be saved from tragic violence and suicide due to unchecked mental health. I hope to share this story and make it a worldwide movement. I would love to install public art to spark conversation all over the world (I dream big ;) ) Sharing this and gaining exposure to help find location and funding opportunities is the way it will grow.