Elisabeth Catharina Schuurman
The Netherlands
I'm a young neurodiverse artist exploring the world, trying to help others and myself with my art. I'm fourteen years old and have been struggling with my ADHD, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. I've been drawing since I was two, but ever since I was ten, I have been actively using my art for self-expression. It helps me process. It also helps me talk about what I'm going through and connect with others. I live in Amsterdam with my parents and little sister. I like reading, writing, and listening to music. These hobbies also inspire me. When I started taking art seriously, I took my favourite songs and made artworks inspired by them. This helped me visualize music and make connections between my feelings and what I was trying to express. In the future, I want to study art and progress further. Even if I eventually can't make a living doing what I love, it will always be a dear hobby.
The artists' stories
"The Vibrant Mind" is an art contest that celebrates artistic expression from individuals with mental health conditions. By focusing on the artists' work rather than their various diagnoses, it hopes to promote a stigma-free and inclusive environment.
That being said, the participants were given the option to share their background stories if they wished to do so.
