![]() ![]() I hope the work reminds people struggling with their own “monsters” that they are not alone in what they are going through and that some of these illnesses can be beaten or at least managed. What do you hope your art work does for others who are struggling with these "monsters?” Due to the sensitivity of the subject matter, I have received a few negative responses but that’s to be expected, and I respect people’s opinions. It is a real pleasure to hear from people who really appreciate all the hard work that has gone into the project and it is more than I could ever have expected. I have received a huge amount of messages from people who have one or many of the disorders I have drawn, each telling me how much the work means to them and how it has helped them to think about their condition in a different or more positive way. The work has gained a huge positive response from the Tumblr community in particular, and the project went viral within a week of it being published on my blog. How do you feel about the public’s response to your artwork? I feel liberated from my anxiety and free from the pressures of the real world. I think about fantastical and amazing worlds filled with amazing characters that could only exist in my mind, and in this world, I can do anything or be anyone. When I am creating artwork, I don’t feel anxious or worried about anything. I can be very shy and withdrawn in social situations and I get extremely anxious in the lead-up to events that wouldn’t faze anyone else. I have lived with anxiety for the latter half of my life and it affects me on a daily basis, often making it difficult for me to carry about basic everyday tasks such as answering the phone or leaving the house, which can sometimes be troublesome when you own your own business. It has allowed me to create something positive and helpful out of something that can really get me down. This project has enabled me to imagine my anxiety as something I can push aside or kick around if I have had enough of it. How has your art enabled you to better understand your own struggles with anxiety? How does it challenge you? With all of the monsters, I try to reflect other people’s experiences with their own disorder or condition to help develop a character that people can relate to. Of course, each person’s experience differs, so I try to create something that many people will find familiar. The dark colors reflect the heavy and oppressive feelings that I associate with being anxious, and the shock of bright pink in its design represents the intense rush of fear that occurs when I have an anxiety related panic attack. Looking specifically at the Anxiety monster, its form is based on small rodents that like to hide in dark places. I try to incorporate many different elements of the disorder into each monster which are then reflected in the descriptions, deepening the concept or understanding of each character. I doodle throughout the researching process and try out many different ideas until I get something that works. I begin each monster design by researching the condition or disorder extensively, often relying on real life case studies or first person accounts of dealing with each disorder. How do you choose what each monster should look like, and what is your process when creating them? I wanted to expand upon this idea and draw other representations of mental illnesses that could help people in the same way it helped me. It made them feel weaker, and I was able to look at my own anxiety in an almost comical way. ![]() The Real Monsters project originated from imagining my own anxieties as monsters and finding it to be a really therapeutic process. I love stories of magical creatures and far off lands and try to capture this magic in my own work. Most of my work is inspired by my favorite childhood stories or fairy tales, as well as more contemporary things like video games and obscure alternative music. What is the inspiration behind your art? Why did you choose to depict mental illnesses as monsters? When we featured the illustrations on our Tumblr recently, they received a great response, and we decided to reach out to Toby to learn more about this though-provoking series and why it is so significant to his own journey with anxiety. When we first saw Toby Allen’s " Real Monsters“ project, we were captivated by his unique drawing style, but also by his unusual-and uncanny-portrayal of mental illness as monsters. The Art of Humanity: Toby Allen’s “Real Monsters” ![]()
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