Shawna Hunter - When I was 20 years old I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. I was never “into” art previous to being diagnosed. I was hospitalized several times and attended a small art class while there. I really enjoyed it. I had started to journal a little and I had also picked up my poetry and creative writing skills that I had left behind in high school. I incorporated drawing and painting into my life to start to heal from the pain, misunderstandings, and the different view I had of the world around me. I have grown and healed and I am still healing through the creative arts, counseling, and medication management. I also have creative plans for the future. All of this has been, for me, a very positive, healing and blessed experience, which I have grown from. Having a creative outlet gave me a new way of expression for every feeling and emotion I was going through, even if I didn’t understand what I was feeling at that time. I have taken some college art classes and now display and sell my work. I’m looking to get the skills I need to hopefully be able to help others harness their creative energy to help the healing process begin in their lives, as well as continuing to heal myself creatively through the arts.