My own personal therapy..
Anyone who knows me from back in 2000 knows I’ve had issues with depression every so often.. Not to the point where I needed drugs/therapy/straight jackets, but I’d shut-down and try to avoid the world as best as possible.. It sucked! I didn’t lift, talk to anyone, or even get out of bed.. I was a mess… Until Now!!
I’ve been drawing alot, simple sketches of different forms and figures, mostly female forms.. No idea why, but whenever I pick up a pencil I draw a hottie.. The "women" I tend to draw are usually fit, in either natural poses (I have one sitting on a sofa with a notebook PC on her lap), or in artistic poses (leaning against things, one I drew doing yoga positions)..
I have quite a following so far, friends always ask me about my artwork and where I get the ideas to draw from.. I seriously do not have a clue, I visualize the position first (I sketched a photo of a short-haired girl in the fetal position on a bed), then I add in whatever else to complete the image.. The "women" are dressed, either in athletic attire, lingerie , or a nice dress.. I’m not a complete perv, at least not on paper.. 
So, this is my new found therapeutic release.. I probably draw alot of physically fit women because of the level of hottness on this website, that is a possibility!
November 9, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I struggle with depression myself (I’m bi-polar, actually), and it’s a bitch. I know working out really helps, and it tires me out enough that I can actually sleep at night without help (even though I work out in the morning!).
You know, I used to work as an artist’s model for sketch groups and drawing classes…there are probably groups like that in your area where you can get some drawing in with a live model, whether dressed or nude. Depending on the group, some even have a group ‘leader’ that acts as an instructor, helping people improve their work. If this sounds interesting to you, why don’t you try contacting the Fine Arts department of your local community college and find out where else they send their models? They can probably get you in touch with several groups in your area that you can try and see which one fits for you.
December 3, 2007 at 3:42 pm
It looks like working out helps a lot of people who are dealing with depression, myself included. There’s nothing I can think of that works better while being good for you at the same time.