The patient appeared voluntarily at the hospital, complaing of suicidal and homicidal feelings. She heard voices: "One good, one bad." She was very confused and stated that her life with her parents and husband was unhappy and lonely. A love affair - brief, unhappy - had precipitated her immeidate state, which was diagnosed as psychotic depression with the possiblity of schizophrenic reaction.

The patient began her picture "Coming Out of a Black Mood" on her first visit to the hospital art therapy department.

The painting itself isn't all that interesting, unless you read the explanation.

Artist as Folk Individualist, Auto-Didactic, Naive, Primitivist: Non-intellectual, usually unschooled or self-taught approach that values the homespun, the humble, and the simple. Often uses unusual or discarded materials. At best is wonderfully original. At worst, such an artist is a fake.

A very important aspect of art that most of us never stop to ponder.