Back in the summer of 2017, a group gathered at Indy Reads Books to help paint a piece of public art. The artwork was designed by Graphic Novelist, Ellen Forney, and was inspired by Marbles, a graphic memoir of her life with bipolar disorder. The mural—part of the Jiffy Lube of Indiana, Every Part Matters public art project—was installed at the Jiffy Lube located at 82nd and Allisonville Road in Indianapolis. In support of the mural’s mental health theme, Jiffy Lube of Indiana stores sell green ribbons to benefit the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI).
Nearly a year later, Forney has released her most recent graphic novel, Rock Steady: Brilliant Advice from My Bipolar Life. An eagerly-awaited follow up to Marbles, Rock Steady is more self-help than personal memoir, offering a step-by-step approach to managing mood disorders. While Marbles was more focused on Forney’s personal journey with bipolar disorder, Rock Steady takes the next step and aims to help those dealing with mood disorders and their loved ones to understand and manage the complexities of mental health. As always, Forney’s signature cartoon graphics that accompany the text strike a balance between education and fun, making the topic more approachable and easier to digest.
Thank you to everyone that participated in the painting of “You Have Company” and contributed to NAMI Indiana. We look forward to continuing to support education and awareness of mental health issues.
You can learn more about Ellen Forney’s new book, Rock Steady: Brilliant Advice from My Bipolar Life, here. And you can learn more about the “You Have Company,” mural and the Every Part Matters public art project here.
