A'Driane Nieves didn't attend art school, and she never dreamed of becoming an abstract artist. "I knew I was a creative, but I identified as a writer," Nieves told CNN. That changed when Nieves began to struggle with mental health conditions. Painting is not only therapy for the mom of three, but now, it's her career.
The art of healing.
Nieves grew up in an abusive household. Her doctor had explained to her that because of her family history, she was at high risk for developing a mental health condition like PPD. "And then he explained that due to my grandfather having schizophrenia, I had a susceptibility to developing bipolar disorder," she said. But Nieves has not been defeated by the conditions. Since she started painting in 2012, she's created more than 1,000 abstract pieces.
In 2012, she established her nonprofit Tessera Arts Collective to amplify the work of Black and brown women and non-binary artists who primarily work in abstraction. "Now, I really focus my efforts on just telling my story, especially as it relates to my art," she said. "You just never know what people will connect with." "I would like to encourage anyone who's living with bipolar disorder to be kind to themselves, to practice self-compassion, and remember that you are worthy. You have the right to live a full and healthy life even while managing a chronic mental health condition like this."
