Dan MacKenzie

Weekend artist and med student based in NYC. I draw people, stuff, and the occasional bone.

[adantoremember]

Where is this taking place? What do you see happening here? #inktober #weekendartist https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpad7HmnLDZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1usmx13bxq5eu

[adantoremember]

"For me, mental health is a lot of self awareness. I have to recognize that I’m feeling a certain way, why I’m feeling that way, and then how I want to continue moving forward. Just like it’s hard to get things done when I have a stomach ache or a fever, it’s tough to be productive and happy if I’m not in a good place mentally. I’m still learning about how I cope with different emotions and what’s the best way for me to take care of my mental health. It’s an important journey, so I know I’ll have to keep growing and evolving." Featured by: asmileisproject Illustrated by @a.dantoremember . . . #asmileis #asmileisproject #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #mentalillness #depression #suicideprevention #curestigma #stigmafree #advocacy #projectsemicolon #wellness (at New York, New York)

[adantoremember]

Q: "What does mental health mean to you?" A: "When I had poor mental health, it was so much harder to even get out of bed. So to me, mental health is being honest with yourself so that you have a clear headspace. It is such an integral part of my life and managing my mental health has allowed me to achieve things I never thought I could in a million years." Featured on: @asmileisproject Illustration by: @a.dantoremember . . . #asmileis #asmileisproject #facedepression #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #mentalillness #depression #suicideprevention #curestigma #stigmafree #advocacy #projectsemicolon #wellness (at New York, New York)

[adantoremember]

"In addition to a growing prevalence among adults, mental illness is continuing to grow in adolescents and young adults. 50% of lifelong mental illnesses begin by age 14 and 75% begin by age 24. It's important to encourage positive and healthy mental health practices from a young age, and to also recognize the validity of mental illness in our youth." Featured on: @a.smile.is.project Illustration by: @a.dantoremember . . . #asmileis #asmileisproject #facedepression #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #mentalillness #depression #suicideprevention #curestigma #stigmafree #advocacy #projectsemicolon #wellness #digitalart #mangastudio #digitalartist #mangaart #digitalpainting #drawing #art (at New York, New York)

[adantoremember]

"Did you know that individuals living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of also having chronic medical conditions? Individuals with serious mental illness also face a shorter average lifespan (by 25 years) due to largely treatable illnesses. Mind, body, and spirit are interconnected. Screening for mental illness and treating mental illness should be a normal part of your annual physical." Featured on: @a.smile.is.project Illustrated by: adantoremember . . . #asmileis #asmileisproject #facedepression #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #mentalillness #depression #suicideprevention #curestigma #stigmafree #advocacy #projectsemicolon #wellness (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmCQxOUHiUH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ng3fljic33ri

[adantoremember]

As of 2016 an estimated 16.2 million adults suffered at least one Major Depressive Episode with 37% of those episodes going untreated. The mental health stigma keeps many from seeking out the care they need. By spreading resources and encouraging conversation, we can continue to break down this barrier. To learn more about defining depression, and what resources are out there, visit @a .smile.is.project at http://www.asmileis.com. Illustration By: @a.dantoremember . . . #asmileis #asmileisproject #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #depression #suicideprevention #curestigma #stigmafree #advocacy #projectsemicolon #wellness #digitalart #mangastudios #Wacom #digitalillustration #digitalartist #manga #anime #digitalpainting #artoftheday #drawing #NYC #art #doctorswhoart (at Queens, New York)

[adantoremember]

"Described as “jovial” and “a great ray of light” Kate Spade seemed to embody the qualities consistent with her cheerful designs. Her passing has reignited the conversation surrounding mental health, and the ways in which mental illness can disguise a war behind a smile." Read the rest of the @a.smile.is.project post on Kate Spade over at http://www.asmileis.com/blog-1 Illustration By: @a.dantoremember . . . #katespade #asmileis #asmileisproject #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #depression #suicideprevention #curestigma #stigmafree #advocacy #projectsemicolon #wellness #digitalart #mangastudios #Wacom #digitalillustration #digitalartist #manga #anime #digitalpainting #artoftheday #drawing #NYC #art #doctorswhoart (at New York, New York)

[adantoremember]

A smile is the face of depression? Yeah it is.

It’s a mental health issue we all hide, yet we all experience at some point. We hide it from others and we hide it from ourselves. In the most tragic cases, it is hidden until suicide, where friends and family are left shocked, thinking, “but they were always so happy.”

My best friend, Steve, took his own life at 18. Almost 10 years later, I’m still among the most dumbfounded… always wondering “Why? Why did he never even hint that he was depressed?”

Well, after much time, I found the answer: the mental health stigma.

Suicide comes as a surprise, because everybody is uncomfortable talking about mental health. This is something that needs to change. If we can change the tone of our conversations about our health, we can not only save lives, but we can all simply be happier, healthier people.

Mental health, depression, and suicide need a lot more advocacy. There is a severe lack of it in our society and especially on social media. A few of my med-school friends and I created a completely pro-bono platform that I hope will help change this. We call it “A Smile Is.”

The A Smile Is Project is dedicated to promoting discussion around mental health issues. We are rooted in the belief that no matter what happens, we all deserve happiness. Our artists draw either an awareness portrait of you or a commemorative portrait of a loved one in exchange for donations.

This is an official announcement of the start of what I hope will become a social media movement. Please feel participate and learn more on our website, asmileis.com, and consider donating for mental health awareness today! (A Smile Is)

[adantoremember]

Witnessed three jazz musicians at Washington Square Park today. Instead of walking by, as I’d normally do, I sat down and listened for 20-30 minutes. They were amazing and I found myself sketching the bassist. As they finished, I picked up my things to show them, but he had disappeared! I promised the others I’d post it here for him to see.

[adantoremember]

…All of us constantly wondering how the heck to remember a million drugs every week. Only a couple more weeks until pharm and micro go away (for a little bit)! #Danime #weekendartist

[adantoremember]

The finished comic! Also, my first! This comic is the first of "One Man's Dreams" a sort of dream journal I'll update every once in a while. I'll be posting a broken down version of this in a few days, so you can see everything closer up :). Its been a while since I've posted... I thought I needed the extra time studying last block. Turns out, I did worse, so yeah I'll just keep drawing instead. #Danime #WeekendArtist #OneMansDreams . . . #OriginalComic #characterdesign #lineart #comic #comics #comicart #drawing #ink #manga #mangaart #anime #animeart #animedrawing #comics #art #NYC #artoftheday #mangaka #mangadrawing #doctorswhoart (at Queens, New York)

[adantoremember]

WORK IN PROGRESS. My first one page comic! Definitely a lot more respect for my favorite artists who do this. Lmao not easy 😂😂 #WeekendArtist #Danime #OneMansDreams . . . #workinprogress #OriginalCharacter #OC #characterdesign #pencilart #comic #originalcomic #comics #comicart #drawing #manga #mangaart #anime #animeart #animedrawing #comics #art #NYC #artoftheday #mangaka #mangadrawing (at Queens, New York)

[adantoremember]

Work in Progress! I swore I’d never draw the entire human skeleton, but LOOK AT THIS. Ahh why?!?! Just too many little lines. Why am I torturing myself?!? Anyway we’re back to the school grind tomorrow. Hope everyone had a good break! #weekendartist #NYITCOMDO . . . #WIP #WorkInProgress #anatomy #humananatomy #skeleton #humanskeleton #bone #drawing #illustration #osteology #humanbones #anatomyart #anatomydrawing #anatomysketch #skull #humanskull #pencilart #sketch #medstudent #medschool #medicalschool #osteopathicmedicine (at Ridgewood, Queens)

[adantoremember]

HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!!! Here's an original character for a future comic. A quick sketch of Kaito. He's wild, expressive, and just your best, reliable ol' friend who likes to bike and deliver noodles with said bike. Thanks everyone for joining me on my attempts to stay sane during medschool! Hope you like my weeb sketches. I'll be adding more medically-related posts periodically. Don't you fret friends :). #WeekendArtist #Danime . . . #OriginalCharacter #OC #characterdesign #pencilart #pencildrawing #drawing #sketch #sketching #manga #mangaart #anime #animeart #animedrawing #comics #art #NYC #Doodlers #artoftheday #sketchbook #mangaka #mangadrawing (at Queens, New York)

[adantoremember]

ITS FINISHED. Probably should’ve been studying more for our exams next week, but whatever, as promised, here's the finished version of anatomy lab group 7A. :D! #danime #weekendartist #NYITCOMDO. . . . #digitalart #wacom #digitalillustration #digitalartist #drawing #manga #artist #anime #art #NYC #artoftheday #mangaka #mangadrawing #illustration #mangastudios #newyearsresolution #artoftheday #medicalschool #medstudent #medicalstudent #medicine #anatomylab #anatomy #doctors #animedoctor #mangadoctor #medstudentlife #medstagram #animedoctor (at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine)

[adantoremember]

WORK IN PROGRESS/ SNEAK PREVIEW. RAHH! Guys. I'm really really really excited about this one. What do you guys think so far? Keep an eye out for its completed version next weekend :D!!! The A-Team Anatomy Lab Posse. I'm still working out the kinks... and the coloring. I had to post this though because I haven't been so excited about a project in a while :) #danime #weekendartist #NYITCOMDO. . . . #digitalart #wacom #digitalillustration #digitalartist #drawing #manga #artist #anime #art #NYC #artoftheday #mangaka #mangadrawing #illustration #mangastudios #newyearsresolution #artoftheday #medicalschool #medstudent #medicalstudent #medicine #anatomylab #anatomy #doctors #animedoctor #mangadoctor #dissectionmasters #medstudentlife #medstagram #medstudentlife (at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine)

[adantoremember]

Quiz yourself! Two perspectives of a thoracic vertebrae drawn in pencil. #NYITCOMDO . . . #anatomy #vertebra #vertebrae #ThoracicVertebrae #SpinousProcess #TransverseProcess #lamina #AnatomyQuiz #bone #osteology #HumanBones #LearnAnatomy #AnatomyArt #pencilart #drawing #sketch