Autism, Artwork and Me – A Private Story for Autistic Pleasure Day

This Sunday – 18 June 2023 – is Autistic Pleasure Day, a day to have a good time these dwelling with autism. 1 in each 100 persons are affected by autism and seven in 10 individuals with autism have a psychological well being situation akin to anxiousness or melancholy. Roughly £2 million is spent on analysis every year into Autism within the UK. To mark Autistic Pleasure Day this weekend, MQ supporter and artist Mark Noble (creator of the above paintings) writes about his expertise of autism and the way utilizing artwork as a approach to talk has helped him. To learn extra about how artwork and creativity will help your psychological well being learn this text. Over to Mark for his story…

My title is Mark Noble and I’m knowledgeable painter primarily based in Somerset. My heroes are Turner, Constable and Church and I paint landscapes and seascapes within the impressionist and romantic kinds. I additionally create summary work and have a collection of work primarily based on the cosmos. Fellow artists have very kindly given me the title ‘Turner of the twenty first Century’, however I name myself the ‘Painter of Mild’.

From a younger age in school, individuals seen I had a uncommon inventive present, but it surely wasn’t absolutely realised till a lot later in life. As I’ve autism and extreme dyslexia, I exploit artwork as a visible medium to speak my emotions and share the great thing about the pure world with others. I strive my finest to color with ardour and seize the little particulars which can be typically neglected.

My fundamental motivation is seeing others react positively to my work. Folks have instructed me that my artwork has triggered an emotional response – they might spot one thing that reminds them of their childhood, for instance.

Usually, I discover literacy and numeracy to be fairly troublesome. Some on a regular basis actions like studying bus timetables are a ache, however the constructive factor is that I’m a artistic and really visible individual. I’d say I’m observant and delicate to mild and color – this helps enormously when learning and producing artwork. {Examine how sensory reactivity and autism are linked on this article from MQ}

My prime tip to any aspiring artist could be to imagine in your self and do what you’ll be able to – simpler mentioned than completed, I do know!

Earlier than I turned knowledgeable artist, I had many alternative jobs and spent 20 years working in a manufacturing unit. It wasn’t till the early 00s that I made a decision to do one thing extra artistic.

For essentially the most half, I taught myself find out how to paint. I discovered it arduous to pay attention and study via conventional educating strategies, however I used to be capable of get {qualifications} from Strode Faculty which was the place my dyslexia was identified. I additionally obtained a level at Tub Spa College. This was solely potential because of numerous help and understanding from household and pals. Charities like SANE additionally helped me lots.

There are such a lot of superb organisations {together with MQ Psychological Well being} and as I at all times say, ‘don’t be afraid to ask for assist’.

I’ve exhibited throughout the UK, a number of instances for charities akin to ‘Parkinson’s Artwork’, and I’ve bought work throughout the globe. A number of years in the past, a few of my artwork was displayed at Westminster for a authorities run exhibition celebrating 40 years of the Incapacity Rights Act. That was a really proud second.

In 2021, I turned an envoy for a charity known as ‘Outdoors In’ who assist disabled artists. They run coaching programs, occasions, workshops and help periods. We share our artwork in on-line conferences too, which is nice enjoyable. I’ve been serving to them community with different organisations and artwork institutions, and I promote the superb work they do. Regardless of who you’re or the place you’re from, please verify them out.

I’m at the moment focussed on portray on recycled supplies akin to wooden, bark, stone and even outdated tiles. These items are a part of what I name the ‘Driftwood Assortment’ {to which the above piece belongs}. I wish to proceed elevating consciousness of local weather change and interact with a wider viewers. I’d additionally love to do extra to show discrimination towards disabled individuals, at any time when and wherever it happens.

I imagine that artwork performs an necessary function in society, particularly for the wellbeing of disabled individuals. I’ve confronted boundaries, generally even hostilities, however have been fortunate sufficient to specific myself creatively and share my expertise with the remainder of the world. I wish to encourage others to specific themselves, regardless of the problems they might be dealing with.

Folks generally overlook necessary statements made by artists or they take a look at artwork however fail to grasp the context. It’s my perception that we have to discuss extra about troublesome subjects and encourage change. There was an enormous push globally for range within the artwork world and I feel that is unbelievable. I’d like to see the identical for disabled artists, political artists and artists who’re actively making an attempt to supply recycled supplies or reduce their affect on the surroundings.

The pandemic targeted my thoughts and made me realise what’s necessary in life – the world we reside in and household and pals. With their assist and encouragement, I revamped my studio, did extra constructive issues on social media and showcased my artwork through on-line galleries.

Mark’s Prime 8 Suggestions for artists, and anybody basically:

Get pleasure from – Most significantly, get pleasure from creating artwork.
Simplicity – Maintain issues so simple as potential.
Individuality – Be a person, take heed to others and imagine in your self.
Inspiration – Take concepts and inspiration from different artists. Go to as many galleries as you’ll be able to. Journey in case you are ever capable of. Respect your fellow artists. Look past a canvas and ask your self what an artist might have been considering after they had been producing their work.
Networking – Bear in mind, networking is necessary. I repeatedly share artwork throughout my social media platforms. LinkedIn is nice and I’ve a big following.
Help – Attempt to get as a lot help as potential – don’t be shy. Analysis completely different charities which may provide help to. Be impressed, be artistic and most significantly, merely do what you’ll be able to, even when the steps you are taking are very small.
Expertise – Expertise can actually assist. For instance, textual content to speech providers, audiobooks and extra could make life simpler and inspiration extra accessible.
Encouragement – Assume to your self: ‘I’ve a novel perspective and an necessary message to ship.’ Everybody does.