House of Neuroses / House of Normalcy

Read how the author aids the artist she loves tell his own story of struggle with depression and addiction through his art and poetry – a sort of autobiography from the grave. The author spent decades of her life lending support to a tortured artist who was burned by the flames that fueled his creativity. Vincent Duane Phillips died in 2013 from oral cancer – a consequence of long-term, self-destructive behaviors. Smoking and alcohol abuse were a means of coping with a depression that stalked him throughout his life. The outlet for his pain was the creation of a large body of art. This book is a memoir, an art book, an autobiography, and a view of mental health and self-help. Most of all it is a love story. It illuminates the lives of the millions of people who suffer from depression and those who care for them. The author invites you to enter the HOUSE OF NEUROSES – HOUSE OF NORMALCY and meet the man, warts and all, and delve into his unconventional art.

Read how the author aids the artist she loves tell his own story of struggle with depression and addiction through his art and poetry – a sort of autobiography from the grave. The author spent decades of her life lending support to a tortured artist who was burned by the flames that fueled his creativity. Vincent Duane Phillips died in 2013 from oral cancer – a consequence of long-term, self-destructive behaviors. Smoking and alcohol abuse were a means of coping with a depression that stalked him throughout his life. The outlet for his pain was the creation of a large body of art. This book is a memoir, an art book, an autobiography, and a view of mental health and self-help. Most of all it is a love story. It illuminates the lives of the millions of people who suffer from depression and those who care for them. The author invites you to enter the HOUSE OF NEUROSES – HOUSE OF NORMALCY and meet the man, warts and all, and delve into his unconventional art.

The author has spent much of her life in a care-giving role within the medical profession and beyond. Whether volunteering in Africa for the Peace Corps, sponsoring children in India, giving time to various charities or giving personal care to individuals, such as those mentioned in her memoir, she has tried to lighten the burden of living for many people. Her current goal is to use her experience dealing with mental conditions to assist people in similar situations cope. She has turned to the arts, outdoor activities and travel for recreation. Writing is a particular interest. Several of her poems were published in two volumes of the American Anthology of Poetry and a children's short story was published in Stories for Little People. She divides her time between the United States and Canada traveling with her cat, Bluff.