Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimmy Henderson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a self-taught artist turned accidental art activist. I originally built my brand, Makikisart (mama and Aunt Kiki smooshed), with custom-designed, hand-painted stemware. Business was booming before I experienced my 1st major manic episode. I am Bipolar 1 with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. In the midst of that yet-to-be-diagnosed episode, I painted a butterfly with half of its wings melting away. It was later that I realized how well the butterfly represented not only the dual sides of bipolar disorder 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.
When I shared about this along with my diagnosis, I received such an outpour of support I decided I want to make a series of Bipolar Butterflies.
While painting one day, I heard a harrowing statistic on NPR ‘the #2 cause of death for 10–34-year-olds is suicide’.
My children were 10 and 13 at the time and predisposed to struggle with mental illness. I decided right then I want to use this design to help them and their entire generation.
In 2019 I submitted a mural concept for an art call at a local mall that was accepted. The flip side of the wall was blank, so I shared my story with the board, and they agreed to let me paint the 1st Bipolar Butterfly photo-op wings.
And the Bipolar Butterfly Project was born.
Since then, I have had 32 Bipolar butterfly installations of murals and sculptures around NE Ohio, including Belden Village Mall, Stan Hywet Hall, Akron Zoo, Downtown Cuyahoga Falls, and Stow City Hall.
I have worked with multiple youth programs, teaching kids about art activism and using their voice to make change with an emphasis on mental health; creating a Bipolar Butterfly photo-op together.
This project aims to raise awareness and help combat the stigma on mental illness by sparking a dialogue.
It does not matter your religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, culture, age, location, or economic status; no demographic is untouched by mental illness. This is a battle that unites us all and is easily combatted by normalizing a healthy and comfortable conversation around mental health, helping people to feel comfortable addressing it, and seeking help when needed.
My dream is to grow the Bipolar Butterfly Project across Ohio and beyond. I want to give mental health a visual representation that builds community and support as effectively as pink ribbons and rainbows do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As an artist, my journey has not always been a smooth road. After I was diagnosed at 35, I can look back and see the ups and downs of mania and depression in my seasons of creating. Sometimes I am inspired and cannot keep up with the ideas in my head.
Sometimes I feel no inspiration, and my work suffers.
It has been a creative dance all along and will continue to be as I navigate this creative life with a mental illness.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve painted many different things on a variety of canvases, including wood, metal, glass, fabric, faces, and walls. I taught myself to paint after becoming a mom and began with salvaged windows and antique mirrors. I loved creating art from discarded resources.
I painted a set of wine glasses as a gift and found my niche. I specialized in custom-designed, hand-painted stemware for any and every occasion. With the help of social media, I was shipping worldwide and was offered the opportunity to sell with a national brand store before my 1st manic episode.
Business halted.
I had a major pivot and now focus on the Bipolar butterfly Project.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think authenticity is key to this project. I am very transparent with my journey with mental illness. I hope to continue to be an inspiration to help others feel comfortable speaking up and also learn about mental illness.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bipolarbutterflyproject.com
- Instagram: bipolarbutterflyproject
- Facebook: bipolarbutterflyproject-makikisart
- Linkedin: makikisart
- Twitter: makikisart
- Youtube: makikisart
