My name is Sheri and I’m an artist, a designer, a creator, a performer, and a maker of beauty. I have been into all forms of the arts my entire life. It’s in my soul. I have found, as an adult, that if I refrain from exercising my creativity for any length of time, I experience “episodes” during which I will literally sit for days at a time simply drawing out creative ideas, designing projects, binge watching creative DIY videos, etc. I’m sure it drives my loved ones crazy because during one of these episodes, all I do or talk about is my latest fascination until I have finally gotten it out of my system. I have learned that I need to have a creative outlet on a regular basis. So I decided to “create” Sheri Lyn Studios.
While I was researching the Big Cartel platform for creating this website, I came across a prompt question:
What’s driving you to create?
This stopped me in my tracks and got me thinking. I never thought about the driving force behind my need to create or be creative. The only thing I could come up with is this: creating is my happy place.
To really understand why needs some background information.
In my mid-thirties, I divorced my abusive spouse and began to build a new life as a single mother of one little girl with just our clothes, my laptop, and a dream. For me, I was finally free to do or be anything I wanted.
I got an apartment for my daughter and me and began constructing a new life for us. I decided I wanted to better myself and build a strong foundation for a future, so I enrolled in The Art Institute with the goal of getting a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. I was a single mom working a full-time job and going to school full-time. It didn’t even occur to me that it was a lot of work. I was just that determined to make a better life for me and my daughter.
As I was building this new life, I didn’t notice at first that I was getting sick. It didn’t take long though before I collapsed. The doctors couldn’t figure it out completely but eventually diagnosed me with a condition called Conversion Disorder. [See “What happens when you have a disease that doctors can’t diagnose?” by Jennifer Brea: Ted Talk - Conversion Disorder.]
It took over three years to find out that not only did I have Conversion Disorder, but I also had a serious bacterial infection that was trying to kill me. By the time the doctors found the infection, they said I shouldn’t be alive let alone walking. It had nearly wiped out my immune system as well as damaging other parts of my body. By that point I honestly didn’t care. I just wanted it fixed so I could move forward with my life and provide for my daughter. I had things to do! I was on a mission and the wretched health issues were getting in my way!
I ended up being bedridden for 5 years and unable to work a job. During those years, I occasionally had what I called “up days” when I wasn’t completely stuck in bed and could even walk out of the house now and then. During this time, I tried to find work and occasionally was able to get hired. But I couldn’t keep up with the hours required of me, and I would be fired for poor attendance. All because I literally could not pull my body out of bed. At those times, I was left alone in my bed with only my thoughts and my books for company for hours, sometimes days at a time. No one to bathe me or feed me besides my daughter. The living situation I was in at the time was obviously not the healthiest for my daughter and I, but it was all I could manage to arrange at the time. There were days when I couldn’t speak or move or even open my eyes. My roommates and caretakers had very little patience with me. They could not relate to how debilitating the bacterial infection and Conversion Disorder could be. They felt I had two arms and legs and a good mind. Why couldn’t I function normally? They ridiculed and insulted me, resented my “health issues”, and refused to be supportive.
This was when my imagination and creativity actually saved my sanity and my life. It kept me going. I kept telling myself, “My body may be broken, but my mind is not.”
Even while being physically incapacitated, I would still create designs in my head. Then, when my arms and hands would allow me, I would draw my creations on scraps of paper or, on good days, create designs on my laptop. When I couldn’t design or draw, I would read. So…many…books! Designing and reading helped me escape the misery I was faced with until I was able to finally change that reality.
How I managed to regain my health and independence is a story unto itself. I am currently writing a book detailing the rebirth of my health and well being. I will post a link once it is published.
My ability to see creative possibilities all around me and still appreciate the beauty of this world has kept me from completely drowning in the dark times. I believe my story is a testimony to the significance and importance of the arts in our lives.
I created Sheri Lyn Studios for myself. My “studio” is my playground. It provides me a platform with which to share my creative vision as well as provide inspiration and encouragement to others. It is time, people, to embrace your own inner artist and give yourself permission to let your creativity out to play.
