I am not my disability, but my disability is part of what makes me an artist.
~Madison L. Hunter
Born with Bipolar Disorder, I navigated a childhood fraught with challenges. As I grew older, the shadows of mental illness began to creep in – anxiety, depression, the constant battle to find equilibrium. Later in life I developed fibromyalgia and severe arthritis. Yet, in the swirling colors of my love of art, I discovered solace. Art isn’t about perfection, it was about expressing the inexpressible.
My art defies easy categorization. My canvas is vast, stretching across the boundaries of the imagination. One moment, I’m creating artwork using 3D renders; the next, I’m painting digital images on with my art tablet. Occasionally I will paint physical pieces using oils. This constant exploration stems from a restless curiosity, a desire to continually push boundaries. Different mediums offer different ways of expressing the world. I follow what feels right for each piece.
I want to make the impossible possible. To create art that forces people to see the world in a new way. I believe art is not about perfection – it is about passion, about perspective, about the unyielding human desire to create and connect. In my world, disability is not a limitation. It is a source of strength, a wellspring of inspiration. It is what makes my artistic journey unforgettable.
Yet, my art is not merely about beauty. It is a reflection of the soul, a mirror held up to the depths of human experience. In my work, joy and sorrow, love and loss, find expression. The struggles we all face, the triumphs we strive for – these are the hues that paint the masterpiece of life.
At times creating is a laborious process. My disabilities often limits my ability to work. Despite this, I remain focused on challenging social stigmas surrounding mental and physical illnesses. To redefine what it means to be disabled and creative. Striving to prove that our disabilities do not dictate one’s potential. The struggle is part of the art.
It makes every piece a personal victory…