To this question from ADDICTION BLOG: "Do you think that art should be a "practice", or should pieces of art come when they come, without pressure."

PARKER LANIER: "...to answer your question, it is a bit of a habit that so far as not lacked inspiration. I usually do not know where a drawing is going to go until I am half way in to it. I draw in roller ball pen and color my stuff with Sharpies. No sketches. I work without a net so to speak." - Parker Lanier - alcoholicoutsiderartist.blogspot.com

"how does it make you feel"

From a series entitled "Portrait Allegoric", this image depicts an actual conversation that occurred between the artist and a friend. The artist, on the left, is a recovering addict, whose objective was to share her experience with drugs, and in drug addiction recovery. Her friend, on the right, spent most of the conversation smoking weed, and describing her fight with heroin. The painting reflects the states of mind of the two parties. - Frédérique Lanquetin (3/26/2012)

It was to take over thirty years of addiction for me to "discover" art, and to begin the road to salvation through it. No training. No prior interest in art and no inkling at all that such a potent means of expression remained latent within me until I was encouraged to use art as a form of therapy at a Rehabilitation Center in America in 2003.

Since that time I have transferred my addictive personality to creation rather than destruction, and my art has been a major part in me finding self worth in my recovery.

Title: Intensive Care 2002
Description: This is how I saw myself just before they took the tracheotomy out of my throat.

Title: Coming Round
Description: Self portrait of coming off a bender. Bewilderment.

Title: Swimming with solvents
Description: Sniffing glue, hairspray, Mr Sheen anything really to stay awake and the madness of the come down.

Charlie Lewis (LOU) - www.lou-art.com -- -(1/28/11)

"No Smoking" came as a result of my desire to create an artwork to promote social change. I chose the theme because of my relatives who smoke, which has bothered me for a long time. I realized I wanted to produce a piece that would encourage them to quit smoking. Originally, the composition was only to include the male figure, but I decided to add the woman and child to symbolize the impact that smoking has on others. The face in the smoke echoes the desire for the smoker to quit his habit and the resulting anguish he feels over this anxiety. The style of the figures is similar to what is seen in animation and illustration. I chose this style in order to attract the viewer's attention yet, once the viewer considers the entire composition, he or she will understand the serious nature of this social problem. - Chelsea Mai (5/12/2011)

Title: Jojo

"My paintings function as man-sized portholes into a landscape alive with minute details, patterns and interlocking systems. This is achieved through the conglomeration of tiny minutia piled and cobbled together to create the larger, overarching relationships that define the whole painting-usually organic forms that grow and breathe but also become overwhelmed with their own excess. The pieces explore the potentialities of growth, but also of overabundance. In Jojo, I began with the image and the idea of cancer cells. The Taiwanese word Jojo means "uncle", and the piece is a tribute to my uncle who died of liver cancer after battling alcoholism." --Katherine Mann (12/19/2011) www.katherinemann.net

Title: "Adic" Mixed Media on a 8x10 canvas

Drugs are like band aids...they only serve a temporary purpose and never truly solve or heal any hurt. To live, to truly live you must face the pain...remove the band aid. And breathe again. -- Tamara Martin (5/17/2012)

Title: "2008"

Title: "Medina"

Title: "Dani v. Marie"

No statement submitted - Maria Miller (5/1/2011)

"ADDICTED: I have often used substances (alcohol, mainly) as substitutes for things I feel were lacking in my life. I was dependent on such substances, even though I knew they were keeping me from what I wanted. I have now learned to seek what I want, and not to be afraid."

"COCAINE: I have watched someone I cared about become addicted to illegal drugs, and I saw both the pleasure and the pain the addiction gave them. Thankfully, this person has since gone on to form a healthy relationship with another recovered user." - Kurt Moore www.thatdamboy.blogspot.com (5/26/2011)

May Cause Dizziness c. 2008 Pillbottles in wooden frame 18"x24"x3"

"This piece was created from bottles provided to me by strangers. I simply put a call out on the on-line community called Freecycle. What struck me was the amount of pills and bottles people had to give me. Do this many people really NEED this much medication? How does our dependence on medications lead to more dependence? I am reminded of a drug resistance program I was in when I was in Elementary School. It talked about how taking an aspirin, when you didn't really need it, could lead to becoming dependent on stronger drugs. Well, I am not sure of that, but I am sure that while drugs can help people live better lives, just as many people are rendered helpless because of their dependence upon them." -- Elizabeth Landberg Morisette - elmorisette.com - (1/28/11)

Title: "The Hand that Feeds"

This image's meaning parallels Vendizotti"s "The Crow and the Serpent" fable. The crow, driven by hunger, seized a serpent, who twisted around, sinking venomous fangs into the crows' leg. The bird shrieked in pain, for the food he hoped would sustain his life had instead caused his death.

My experience of watching a loved one craze over what he thought he couldn't live without reminds me of this story, the moral being that when acting in one's own interest, consider the harm one's action may cause others, or risk coming to a miserable end...in his case, a suicidal death.

Title: "Distorted Sun"

I suppose the frustrations and pressures of life must all go away when you're high. The trouble is, the pseudo-world of reality, when consistently abusing, becomes confused with what is REALLY going on...the lies get deeper, more intricate. The pressure from friends and family pushes harder, you lose sight of what simple happiness is, what freedom means...loving yourself. I painted this abstract work with the anchor of one item, a straight-lined skeletal contrast to a muddled world. - Carrie Napora (5/12/2011)

My three submissions make use of QR code technology to imbed additional information related to the overall piece. To make use of the codes, simply put your device over the QR code of your choice; you might have to zoom in too see them clearly.

Title: "ALONE"

This piece helps one identify with the isolation of addiction. The encoded messages within the overall image include:

1. Addiction to drugs, including alcohol, is a disease, like diabetes.
2. Alcohol was the first "drug" I tried.
3. Approximately 10% of people who smoke marijuana will become addicted to it.
4. Becoming clean and sober is just the first step in recovery, or getting well.
5. Cocaine and crack use is often contributing factor in drownings, car crashes, falls, burns, and suicides.
6. Cocaine use is a common cause of cardiac arrest.
7. Drug withdrawal can cause physical pain and sometimes death.
8. Marijuana use triples the chance of developing psychotic symptoms.
9. No matter where you grow up, crystal meth can weasel it's way into your life.
10. No one plans to become addicted.
11. One in thirty second grade students have consumed alcohol to intoxication.
12. People who smoke marijuana are statistically 4 times more likely to develop depression.
13. The effects of crystal meth on a user's brain, body, and behavior are severe and long-lasting.

Title: "TEMPTATION"

"Temptation" reflects the perils of addiction. Temptations, and the relationships forged by those temptations, are a constant threat. Those struggling with addiction may find solace in faith. In "Temptation" there are 4 messages:

1. Being clean and sober is just the first part of getting well.
2. Two thirds of senior high school students report using alcohol at least once a month.
3. Alcohol was the first "drug" I tried.
4. No one plans to become addicted.

Title: "EPIPHANY"

"Epiphany" illustrates the transition into understanding. As the atom is the beginning of all life, realization is the beginning of recovery. "Epiphany" contains one message:

1. Admitting you're addicted will be hard; you're letting the cat out of the bag. But it's an important first step.

-- Sue Nethery (4/13/2012)

Titles: "YES" "NO"

YES and NO is a " Traveling Exhibit " of 24 works, 12 depicting the concept of addiction and 12 showing the hope of permanent recovery. My inspiration comes from witnessing the changed lives of people in long-term recovery as well as my own.

The series conveys some of the following fundamental elements in the experience of addiction and recovery: 1) Desperation, 2) The Power, 3) People, 4) Personal Responsibility, 5) Hope, and 6) Options/Choices.

This website contains the entire series, as well as information for people interested in bringing the YES and NO "traveling exhibit" to a venue in their city. www.paintpaperinkstudio.com -- Renee Richard Ouellette B.F.A., M.A.E. (6/30/2011)

Title: "Decisions" Watercolor

This image illustrates the power of relapse. The times of decison. To drink and relapse or to remain sober.

Title: "Distilled" Watercolor

The impact that the addict's behaviour can have upon the family. The adult holds the bottle and turns away, wishing to deny the effects of his behaviour. The middle figure, portrays "the loner" or lost child while the younger child in the forefront portrays "the clown" or distractor- demanding attention.

Title: "Drowning" Watercolor

This image is admittedly over the top. It is my attempt at portraying the vicious cycle that addiction can become - influencing future generations. An adult is drowning inside the oversized cocktail. The young child is drinking from a bottle "just like Mom" while holding the neck of a bottle coming from behind- symbolizing the possibility that the child may become an addict because of early experience and role-modeling.

Valerie Patterson/Artist www.valeriepatterson.com www.valeriepattersonwatercolors.com (9/30/2011)

Beating Addiction

My painting depicts an innocent baby becoming a teenager, living on the street, working as a prostitute and addicted to drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Unfortunately, peer pressure succeeded to bring this young man down to the lowest depths of society. A strong bond with family and clergy and persistent intervention convinced this young man to enter rehab. After months of treatment he beats the addictions and celebrates his new life. -- Ellis Perl (3/7/2012)

"pILLS 2012"

In my work I try to lead the viewer to look at objects in collective masses in hopes of evoking a sense of awareness towards the function of the objects and the role they hold in society. This piece is comprised of small scale panels, ranging from 1 inch to 4 inch. Entitled "pILLS 2012" this work deals with the addiction to the aesthetic qualities of prescription pills. The pills are colorful, fun to look at, collect and admire. They are life size, and the piece contains 30 panels. It was done as a cynical look at the role these objects hold in our daily lives. - Elizabeth Randle (3/23/2012)

D - 22" x 34" - 2008 - Digital Fine Art on Canvas

"D" always had an addictive personality. When we were younger he would watch every movie that came out. At times he would watch two or three in one day. As time went on he got into collecting action figures. He would buy five or six at a time. When I was in my early teens I remember coming across a huge garbage bag in his room. Curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to peak inside. It was full of beer cans. I shrugged it off and went on with my life.

As time went on "D" and I grew apart. His actions became erratic. He broke into my mom's house while she was on vacation. I disowned him. A few years ago he apologized to me, so I forgave him. We started spending time together again, but he was different. There was always a glassy look in his eyes and he often couldn't keep food down. Again, I didn't think much of it. I told myself he was working too hard.

Suddenly "D" disappeared. His wife and family had no idea where he was. The last time I talked to him, he was trying to sell me the figure collection that he had taken so much pride in. That was almost two years ago. I have no idea what "D" is addicted to now or where it has taken him. - William Schaefer (2/10/2011)

"Gun Shot"

"Amputation"

"I am a recovering drug addict and alcoholic who has been clean and sober since October 1, 2005. I have been an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous since March of 2006. After taking a 6 year break from academics and accomplishing a year of sobriety, I returned to school to pursue a career in art and education."

"In 2009 I was asked by a professor to produce a 6-part series of paintings that had to be personal and meaningful. I chose to use this opportunity to tackle a topic I felt does not receive enough exposure, the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. My premise is that, although an obvious consequence of drug and/or alcohol addiction is death, there are many more. And, that many of the others have painful consequences, both for the addict and their loved ones. The paintings I produced were non-traditional portraits of people I knew personally and/or whose families I knew personally. I felt that the subject matter would be easier to connect with, and feel more real, if the viewer knew these were portraits of real people who experienced the subjects of the paintings. I chose the three shown here because I felt they were the strongest of the six and the easiest ones to relate to and understand whether they stood in a series or as individual works." - Sara Schaeter www.myspace.com/saraschraeterart (5/13/2011)

MAN IN THE GLASS AN EXPLORATION OF RECOVERY

What does a recovered alcoholic look like? When I look to the media I do not see myself or the people in my life. I see stereotypes, 95% chaos and 5% recovery. This is an ongoing portrait series exploring the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual experiences in the recovery from addiction.

BRENT SCHREIBER

Brent Schreiber is an Artist located in Elmira, Ontario. His personal work focuses on large scale figurative paintings. Combining traditional painting, design and narrative themes, Brent's work strives to connect the emotional to the physical. His work is held in both Private and Public Collections in the United States and Canada.

MAN IN THE GLASS EIGHT, 40"x36" Acrylic on Canvas

Can I be honest with myself about the true nature of my problem? Man in the Glass Eight explores the concept that the substance is not the problem but simply a solution that no longer works. Am I willing to look at the real problem in my life, the man in the glass?

An homage to Norman Rockwell's Girl at Mirror.

MAN IN THE GLASS FOUR, 36"x24" Acrylic on Canvas

Self Portrait. The disease of addiction isolates whether in active insanity or recovery. One of the hardest parts of recovery is letting go of a past life, the relationships in it and the acceptance that it is over. Can I start anew and embrace a new community and build a better life?

MAN IN THE GLASS TWENTY WEAPONS OF CHOICE, 12"x12" Acrylic on Canvas

Active addiction or active recovery is choice that comes down to whether my solution is worth my consequence. Once the decision is made, what weapons will I arm myself with? -Brent Schreiber Www.brentschreiber.com (9/8/2011)

Escape "This painting is a story of desperation, loneliness, and quiet suffering. Its about feeling like an outsider who wishes to fly away to a more accepting world. If you could step into this woman's heart you would hurt with her at the pain she was dealt in the ugly world she called home. If she lifted her head you would see tears flowing down her face from the little girl inside her who feels damaged beyond repair."

The Other Mother "I read a definition of intimacy that described it as sharing what we are like, who we really are, and what we've been through. This painting is my attempt at sharing the brokenness in my heart and life. I was suffering from addiction and depression when I drew the face in this painting. My daughter asked me to enter into treatment because she missed her mother and wanted her back."

"Despite the fear that I felt, the love of my daughter overcame my hesitancy of asking for help, and I entered into a program that helped save my life. I love her with all my heart and will continue to strive for health so that I can be all that she needs me to be. When I returned home, I finished the painting while continuing my journey towards being the best mother and person that I can be. Art is my way of releasing pain, and I consider it a form of therapy in and of itself." - Kandy Stevens

"Absolute" Acrylic on canvas 24x36

When there seems to be nothing permanent, nothing solid in your life, that is when you must turn to the tools you were taught in treatment — the absolute of recovery. The solid line that runs throughout the mess and chaos of your recovery years. Those tools, the bible high among them, are what you can count on, not the fluff of society or the promises of others.

"Chaos" Oil on canvas 24x36

Before I left for treatment, my life was nothing but chaos, personal and professional. I didn’t know whether to kill myself, to keep on as I was going, or to give in and go to treatment. I gave in. The painting Chaos is a mass of scrapes and swirls, a "snapshot" of the chaos that consumed me. Stained sharp slashes of blackness underneath oranges of bright hope. A circle of promise. Both hope and despair are in this painting.

"Vodka" Acrylic on canvas 30x40

There was a time in my life that Vodka was my go to, my "turn the world upside down, inside out, and right side back up again" drug. It would make my bipolar world, which seemed so dark and repressive, alive in color. My painting “Vodka” depicts a Vodka binge for me. My world is full of color while I’m drinking, yet, as it comes to an end, the darkness returns and covers it all.

-- Amy Thompson www.prairiefire-studio.com (4/13/2012)

a page from The Rut? A Very Simple Guide by Todd Vogel

a page from Why Does He Drink? A Very Simple Guide by Todd Vogel

a page from Why Does He Drink? A Very Simple Guide by Todd Vogel

"Very simple Guides are the creation of Todd Vogel who, after twenty years in recovery, stumbled on a way to help keep things simple for people who are prone to emotional hurricanes and other confusions. This most definitely includes himself. Because we are so marvelously complicated, there are a wide variety of topics and titles available at http://odatbooks.com where they may be read on line or ordered as print versions which are very handy tools for helping sponsees remove their heads from dark places." - Todd Vogel (4/8/2011)

Wrapped Up

About a year ago, I struggled with an addiction to morphine. Although I got the help I needed, and was able to pull myself out of it, some people are not so lucky. I wanted to make a painting that covered all aspects of addiction. In my photo, I show a man divided into both dark and light portions, with morphine pills spilling out of a bottle into his hands, wrapping all around his body, and overcoming him. I made this separation of light and dark to show that sometimes in addiction, yes, there are happy days. There are days when you feel better than you ever have before. But those happy days are few and far between, surrounded by overall darkness. Even though you may experience feelings of euphoria, it doesn't change the fact that you are still being overcome by addiction. I am hoping that people can see this and relate it to their life, possibly realizing that their negative actions may have been falsely justified or masked by what they felt to be a "light". -- Carmine Vunak (4/23/2012)

Alcohol Crash

"This piece was created shortly after three of my classmates and friends died in an underage drinking, alcohol related, crash. I decided to do the piece as a warning about alcohol related deaths after I realized that binge drinking had claimed the lives of 12 of my friends before I had reached the age of 18. My own drinking has stopped, and many of my friends think this piece is messed up. But I I hope it has impacted them enough that I won't lose another friend to alcohol." - Michael Warnick (5/26/2011)

Evidence of Addiction Everywhere - iPhone photo collage

"Evidence of Addiction Everywhere is a mosaic collage of quick snaps I took with my iPhone while walking around in everyday life in the past months. I'm thinking of doing this as an ongoing series in my life, as a way to process what addiction is and to contrast the many and varied substances that we can become addicted to. I also like to transform even the ugliest syringe into something beautiful." - Lee Weber - Drug Addiction Blog (2/19/2011)