sex in the kitchen sink, Modern Poetry and Artist chapbooks
Emily H. Sturgill ME.d, B.F.A.
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Memoirs Recalled Madness: a personal account of living with manic-depressive illness.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
A Startling Confessional, Mixed with Art Work, Snapshots, Photography..., July 28, 2013
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This review is from: Memoirs Recalled Madness (Kindle Edition)
"Memoirs of Recalled Madness" is a perfect title and description of Ms. Sturgill's confessional style memoir, detailing her struggle of over two decades with Bipolar Disorder. With heartfelt prose, her wonderful poetry, drawings, collage work, family photos/snapshots, and photography are generously featured throughout her eBook. This is a surprising addition/bonus where her work truly stands out and apart from others of this genre.
As a child, Sturgill felt differently not quite fitting in with her family dynamic. A beautiful hard working mother: (also Bipolar), her laid back father, a Vietnam Veteran, a prettier smarter older half sister, and a younger brother who was diagnosed with ADHD, and "pumped full of Ritalin during the school year". As a teen, she was "dragged to her psychiatrist for treatment of depression", and prescribed various medications including Wellbutrin and Prozac: at 19 years of age she was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.
Following H.S, graduation, Sturgill worked graveyard shift in a 24 hour diner. This did not help her mood stability and she moved in with her Aunt Taylor who was a stronger positive influence, she attended Community College and got her drivers license. Xavier, her boyfriend of 2.5 years, left her for her best friend, and later married another woman he met online. Sturgill regrets her love/devotion to him, and the years wasted waiting for him to return to her.
Situations improved and seemed to click when Sturgill met her future husband. They lived with his parents in a large Detroit area home, and married after being together for over 10 years. The loss of her mother, grandmother and father-in-law were understandably quite difficult. Several times, Sturgill decided to stop taking her meds. This led to severe frightening episodes where she became delusional and psychotic from combinations of mania/paranoia. Sturgill would "run away" leaving the comfort of her home/life. At one time she ended up in Canada, another time, she was forced into an abandoned house and repeatedly raped. Following these numerous episodes, she was hospitalized in psychiatric wards. Returning to health and stability, Sturgill earned her master's degree in Fine Art from Wayne University, Detroit, MI.
Sturgill's work is like an inspiring gift, and testament to the healing aspects of writing, fine arts, and creative pursuits. This is the second volume of her work I've reviewed. Favorite art works include: Self Portrait 1995 (pencil drawing), The Thing That Draws Itself 1997, all collage works, Portrait E.H. Sturgill 2013 (photography).
With much appreciation and many thanks to Amazon for the promotional review copy.
Butterfly-rimmed Eyeglasses and the trouble with tuesday.
Dreamcatcher and other poems.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars I was impressed, August 19, 2013
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This review is from: Dreamcatcher and other poems (Paperback)
I met Author Emily Sturgill in the Word press blogosphere. I was impressed with Dreamcatcher and other poems. Her poems touched my heart, both in joy and sadness. Her poetry flows with eloquence, and she is a talented artist as well. If you enjoy poetry, this is the book, which will send you on the high and lows into the life of a thought provoking poet.
On the Brink: letters to the madness + poems & pictures: Volume One.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Collection Mix of Poetry, Paintings, Photography, July 31, 2013
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Michel Short (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On the Brink letters to the Madness+poems & pictures (Rantings & Ravings) (Kindle Edition)
This is a bright and thoughtful collection of "memoir" offering, a blend/mix of poetry, paintings and photography. This is not a written memoir in story form. Ms. Sturgill's richly detailed account of thoughts and emotions provides understanding of the thought process and her life experience of being affected by mental illness. To her credit, Ms. Sturgill has her Master's degree in Fine Arts from Wayne University, Detroit, MI. where she lives with her husband and dogs.
The isolation and the loneliness that separates those who are ill, the tangled threads, selling secrets/selling drama. The changing "Love Like This" Sturgill describes the randomness of falling in love with her husband Dean, better together than apart, his unconditional love and support. The longest piece/poem "Unread Book" is uniquely written about the soul/life blood of a book, eventually ending with comparison to the circus and circus clowns. "Falling to Pieces" an acrylic on canvas 1996, is my personal favorite, a soulful portrait of unspeakable beauty.
Locally, (Seattle, WA.) at poetry readings and literary events the poetry/writings/art works of the featured individual are offered for sale. A "Chapbook" is a small/shorter booklet selling for $3.00-$5.00 to support the work of the poet/writer/artist. Ms. Sturgill's collection offered is similar to the Chapbook format, similarly priced as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection, many thanks to Amazon for the Kindle Review Copy.
