This gorgeous colorful crochet mandala comes to us from Ann Benoot, a terrific crochet artist from Belgium, who writes,
“I’m quite new to the online crochet craft and art scene so I didn’t know Marinke, but as a person, and in fact as a psychiatric nurse (a profession I worked in until about ten years ago), I feel compassion for all the people who struggle with “bad” moments and depression. Therefore, I would like to support the #MandalasForMarinke project with my small contribution.
I am a self-taught textile art creator who recently turned 40. I am eager to take my first steps outside into the world. Through my knitting and crocheting hobby, I’ve searched my own creative voice and found it in creating freeform crocheted animals inspired by Zentangle drawing. After one is finished, I choose intuitively and blindly which animal I will make next so each time it’s a pleasant surprise.
Crocheting means a lot to me! It’s relaxing and calming and gives me a steady base that I always can pick up again to be able to be who I am through all the struggles that are inherent to life.
I am looking forward to seeing all the crocheted mandalas from all over the world to be united in one art-piece in remembrance of Marinke but also in remembrance of all those who have lost the battle against depression. I hope it will be a colorful support for all those who keep on struggling with “bad” moments.
Connect with Ann on Facebook. And check out my interview about her amazing art.
I’m sad to report on new statistics that show that the US suicide rate is increasing and is, in fact, at a reported all-time high.
“According to the study, which captured data from 1999 to 2014, suicide deaths in middle-aged women rose 63 percent. Men in the same category had a 43 percent jump, with ages 75 or older still topping out with the highest rates, despite a decrease in 2014. This has caused the nation’s rate to increase to 13 per 100,000 people.”
I was going to comment further on these statistics but I honestly just don’t know what to say. It’s sad. It’s tragic. It’s scary. And I hope that the more we raise awareness, and the more that we talk about the issue, the more likely it will be that we see these numbers start to go down.
