Hello! I’m Lindsey, and I created “Clark & Clover.” I’m an artist with a goal to reduce the stigma around mental illness, and to provide a platform where children, parents and teachers alike can openly discuss their emotions in a positive, productive light.
I wanted to write and illustrate a children’s book ever since I started studying graphic design, but a heavy class load, work, and involvement in school left me with little free time to do so. It wasn’t until I submitted my children’s book idea as my semester project in one of my design classes that I got the motivation I needed to make it happen. If you have the book, you’ll see it was dedicated to Serina’s branding class. That’s why.
As a child, I didn’t know what anxiety was or that the day-to-day nervousness I was experiencing due to it wasn’t normal. I contribute this to the general lack of mental health awareness during my childhood, and to the stigma that surrounded the emotion. Throughout my college career, mental health has been emphasized, discussed and valued, which made me feel comfortable seeking the help I needed. I wanted to translate the lessons I learned in college into my children’s book to help the kids who feel like I once felt.
I created “Clark & Clover” featuring a chameleon that changes color based on her emotions. She seeks help from a friend in understanding and managing her feelings. My hope is that the book explains that anxiety isn’t an issue that only adults face, and that it sparks conversation about mental health between children, parents, and teachers. So far, I have been overwhelmed with the positive responses I have gotten from parents, teachers, and kids affirming that my goals have started to become a reality. For that, I am so grateful.