Travels Through Psychiatry

  This is the graphic that's my header. It's a synopsis of my many years in and out of psychiatric treatment presented in a humorous way, because how else could I deal with it all? And what's the rwillowfish thing? Here's the story: The complete name is Rainbow Willowfish, which came from my first time at a pagan festival called Free Spirit Gathering. I asked my friend, "Hey, what's with the nicknames these people run around with?" and she replied, "They're about the spirit within, or maybe just sounding all cool and mystical." Then she started rattling off pretend silly ones. Wolf Moonboy...Sunsong Ravenbeast...Rainbow Willowfish..."Stop!" I yelled. "That one is mine." And so it was. I'm not a dedicated pagan, a bit witchy, definitely fond of the full moon and dancing around bonfires to the beat of the drums, but a little skeptical of potions and oils and balms and directing energy and magical spells. I don't summ...

  me in my studio at art college In 1988 my friends introduced me to The Grateful Dead, taking me to 2 shows in Hartford, Connecticut. I hadn’t used LSD before, but I was a well-established stoner. The first night, some guy with sweaty palms sold us LSD tabs, and I think the LSD was sucked off into perspiration then absorbed into his skin. He was probably tripping balls, but we weren’t. I found my first Dead show to be boring. My friends exclaimed, “Boring! Didn’t the LSD…” No, no it didn’t. They told me they’d be sure it was good, effective LSD for the next show. And, oh my, it certainly was.                                                       my mementos from Grateful Dead shows I remember spinning around the perimeter of the convention center all night, my fairy skirt twirling with me, as I figured out everything about my life. I mea...