If There's A Way Out | Art Created During An Anxiety Or Panic Attack By Brandon Stewart

I've spent most of my life scared of something.

In childhood, it was the gaping mouth of darkness where my toys were kept. It was the monsters casting ominous shadows on the walls at night. As children we have no doubts that monsters exist in every dark corner or under every bed. We know that at bedtime, once the lights go out, the creatures are there. Watching.

The monsters remain, even into adulthood. Only now they look different. They aren't mystery shadows in a closet or strange noises in the hall; they wear other masks and take on the faces of other things like responsibilities, commitments, the concern for our loved ones...

Anxiety is my monster. Incessant, often scary. Always lurking behind me waiting to ruin a perfectly good day with a panic attack.

Art is more than just creating for me; it's a way out. It's a new perspective and a way to retreat to something positive in the face of a world that can sometimes feel like it's populated with monsters.

If there's a way out, it's through a door I create.

- All drawings a done using Palomino Blackwing pencils in Robert Bateman and Super Bee sketchbooks.

- Titles are either the time at which the anxiety or panic attack happened, or words that came to mind in that moment.

On OCTOBER 1st, 2019, I WILL BE LAUNCHING A KICKSTARTER TO FUND THE PRINTING OF THIS BOOK.

More info: atramentstudios.com