Hi from Scotland

Hi I'm Maisie. I have been diagnosed with autism not that it was a big surprise as I've been almost sure I'm autistic for a while but even though I knew nothing would change after my diagnosis I find myself disappointed that I still struggle with interacting with others and being different.

A part of me really thought things would be different. I don't know why because I know that those things are core parts of autism. I think it was just wishful thinking on my part.

I've looked for groups in my area but there's only one relatively close though I would have to catch the train to get to it and I'm not sure I could bring myself to do that. Public transport causes me anxiety and sensory overload so I try to avoid it when I can. 

I don't really do social media but I am lonely and tired of my own company so I want to give this a try in the hopes that it will help.

Parents
  • Hi Maisie - glad you have found us here.

    I am also not a fan of general social media platforms - I think you may find that feeling echoed by many of our members here too.

    Have you done anything recently which you found fun - interests / hobbies etc.?

  • Hello, and thank you. Also thanks for replying to my music discussion.

    Life has been a bit crazy but I've finally got back in to my painting and that's been a lot of fun. Painting is a bit of a hobby for me. I'm not great at it but I do enjoy it and I guess that's what's most important.

    What about you? Have you done anything exciting lately?

  • I'm not great at it but I do enjoy it

    Same here.

    I recently joined a local art group to give me some motivation.

      It isn't a "class" or "course" - we just get together for a couple of hours painting etc , twice a month. 

    As a teenager, I used to use a lot of poster colour paint (little glass jars by a Japanese firm). 

    I really like chalk pastels too.  (Not so keen on oil pastels).

    More recently, I have been rediscovering water colours (I have a mini travel tin which is a 12 pan set with an inbuilt metal finger ring - which helps prevent me keep dropping the thing - particularly when using it out and about (www.amazon.co.uk/.../B0CXJJ6XZR ).

    Water colour pencils arc great too (I like to doodle with the pencils when out and about and then later (at home) I use a brush and water to convert the doodle impressions into more of an image.

    I haven't much experience with tubes of watercolour paints.  However, I am keen to try that as I have found a mini tin 12 (empty half trays) palette - where you fill the pans with your choice of colours, let it dry, and take it with you as a lightweight travel option.  The mini tin looks like the sort in which you get tiny mints.

    I haven't tried acrylic paints much yet - I am trying to find a low odour brand (my little beginner set has a most distracting unpleasant odour!).

    Also, I recently discovered double-ended felt tip pens (fine nib one end and brush-like at the other end).

    I have also just got myself a set of fine nib acrylic pens which you can use on glass, stone etc.  I believe that once dry they are waterproof (Mitoymia).

    If I need to really travel extra light; I use an old Staedtler Mars draughtsman's mechanical / clutch pencil - with a small number of different coloured pencil cores.  They used to be readily available - now I find a specialist art supplies shop may be a more likely source.  It is easy to get the graphite leads - not so easy the coloured versions.  (I might need to experiment with the Pentel AIN Stein equivalent ones instead).  My pencil has a metal finely knurled grip - which I find really comfortable. 

    I have never tried oil paints - I wonder if the odour for those paints also may require some careful market research (maybe the middle ground of Gouache may better suit me?  I don't yet know - as I have yet to try that type).

    The pads of A6 watercolour postcards 300 gsm, an A6 clipboard and a roll of masking tape often form part of my travel kit.  My travel easel solution is an A5 plastic folding multi-use plastic book stand / textbook holder / music manuscript stand 

    My greatest art-friendly find:

    The Japanese-style denim aprons - nothing tied around your neck and nothing tied around your waist - but long enough to protect your clothes (and not so hot as coveralls and less arm movement restriction too).  Two deep pockets on either side (instead of in the centre like a cooking apron).  Machine washable.  One size fits most people - so you can vary your layers of clothing underneath.  They have a cross of fabric straps over your shoulder blades (www.amazon.co.uk/.../B09ZNZNQ39 )

  • Thank you - some good new hints and tips there - I will have an explore.

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