Autism: Life in Colour 2014

In 2014 we expanded the choice of media people could use to best express how they felt. You can see from the gallery page that this included painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, video as well as photography. This brought a new and exciting dimension to the project.

The purpose was to provide a visual representation of what life is like for autistic people throughout Scotland and participants were asked to submit two photos or video clips to capture:

What’s the best thing about today?

What’s the worst thing about today?

What's the best thing about today?

The best thing about my day. Is walking through the calm countryside taking photographs of trees the dramatic colour, patterns, lines and texture they make.It's when I am my happiest.

What's the worst thing about today?

The worst thing about my day is when darkness falls and I can onlly have reflections of trees without colour.

What's the worst thing about today?

This was at upward mobility. I was feeling anxious.

What's the best thing about today?

This is me on the water of Leith. I enjoyed taking pictures by the water.

What's the worst thing about today?

Nerving myself to speak and interrogate a Yes meeting on citizenship by descent.

What's the best thing about today?

Watching the midsummer north sky sunset and permanent twilight from home.

What's the worst thing about today?

I didn't like the noise of this paint palette scraping along the table today.

What's the best thing about today?

The best thing in my day is playing my xbox.

What's the best thing about today?

In the summer my best days are going to the caravan in Arbroath, I like being there by the sea and going for dinner in Dundee in the evenings with my family.

What's the worst thing about today?

I didn't enjoy missing my normal class today, changing my routine is stressful.

What's the best thing about today?

I like trains, reading about them and watching them I know a lot about railways!

What's the worst thing about today?

I don't like having my picture taking, but the clock face on my watch can be my face!

What's the best thing about today?

My watch is very important to me, I like wearing it everyday.

What's the worst thing about today?

I don't enjoy being late to get the bus home, I am good at checking the time though!

What's the best thing about today?

I like watching tv at home in our living room.

What's the worst thing about today?

I don't like being in the house all day, staying in for too long is not enjoyable so I try to get out and about as much as I can.

What's the best thing about today?

I enjoy being in contact with my friends and family, and I love using my phone as I can talk to them wherever I am.

What's the worst thing about today?

Change in my usual routine upsets me. I don't like it when the bus driver changes, as I have to get used to somebody new again.

What's the best thing about today?

I like going out for day trips and if I can make a stop in a shop on the way I always buy a packet of eclairs for the journey.

What's the worst thing about today?

I can get impatient, when things don't happen when I want them to I get annoyed.

What's the best thing about today?

Everyday I get 5 gummy bears in the morning, these are my favourite sweets and I eat them one at a time at points from breakfast until lunch, a perfect snack!

What's the worst thing about today?

Although I love making things I hate getting anything on my hands or clothes. It's alright if I'm in an old shirt and have some gloves to wear!

What's the best thing about today?

I love taking part in art projects and I always look forwards to my evening art class. Here I have made some colouring pencils from clay and paint.

What's the worst thing about today?

Erik finds the summer to be too hot and the sun can be too bright for Erik to get out and take part in his activities he enjoys.

What's the best thing about today?

Erik really enjoys his work placement at a local farm in Perth, he learns new skills every week and has met lots of new friends, Erik feeds the pigs, goats, alpaca's, goats, geese and hens, he waters vegetables in polytunnels and has helped build a new goat house.

What's the worst thing about today?

Leaving the One Stop Shop was the worst part of my day today, I hate goodbyes!

What's the best thing about today?

The Best thing about my day today, was meeting Amy from Autism: Life in Colour, I always enjoy meeting new people and she is sat outside our One Stop Shop in Inverness, somewhere I enjoy visiting.

What's the worst thing about today?

Crowded areas can really lower my mood and ruin my day. This is due to my sensitiveness to loud noises as well as the often claustrophobic feeling of being surrounded with no escape.

What's the worst thing about today?

I'm not really into exercising that much and I definitely don't enjoy swimming, it's far too cold!

What's the best thing about today?

This is a plasticine sculpture of the symbol of the character Ghaunadaur in the Forgotten Realms series. I really like these books and researching all the characters, Ghaunadaur is the one I am currently learning all about.

What's the worst thing about today?

I try to keep fit and eat healthily, the worst part of my day can be overeating or realising what you're eating isn't as good for you as you thought! This is a little animation of some sugar puffs disappearing, not a very healthy cereal.

What's the best thing about today?

I enjoy using the internet, keeping in contact with people and what's going on through social media and news sites.

What's the worst thing about today?

Direct beam of light from neighbours security light across the road. It's on all night until 6am. Legal letters from solicitors and council have failed, causing me great distress.

What's the best thing about today?

Me on top of the 'Knockie' at dusk, in Blairgowrie. I am on top of the world by myself. Twinkling lights of Blairgowrie are far off, where they should be.

What's the worst thing about today?

The post arriving, brown DWP envelopes are the worst, but also ones from charities highlighting the plight of people and animals, they bring fear, uncertainty and distress through the door.

What's the best thing about today?

Walking my spaniel Abby in the countryside, especially out in the hills, we don't mind what the weather is, it's where I feel calmest.

What's the worst thing about today?

I wanted to look at the Christmas market, but I couldn't move from all the people. I hate when the town is so busy, it makes me nervous and frustrated.

What's the best thing about today?

I was sad that there hadn't been any Reindeer at Christmas for 2 years. I got a lovely surprise today when they were just sitting there as if by magic!

What's the worst thing about today?

The worst is watching St.Johnstone losing a football match especially to the local derby rivals Dundee or Dundee United. It makes me feel sad and disappointed.

What's the best thing about today?

The best is When St.Johnstone won the Scottish Cup final 2-0 against their rivals Dundee United. I always love when they win any match, especially a derby match.

What's the worst thing about today?

The worst thing about today is being in a place that's too busy or not knowing what to say to people. This makes me feel stressed out and overloaded.

What's the best thing about today?

The best thing about today is listening to music because it helps me stay calm and block out noise if I'm in a busy place.

What's the worst thing about today?

This shows me thinking about the worst things in my day, all the medications I have to take, unexpected changes, doctors appointments and loud noises.

What's the best thing about today?

This shows me thinking of the best things in my day, my cat Phoebe, my boyfriend, drawing and sleeping.

What's the worst thing about today?

I preferred working large scale, where there is more space for mark making.

What's the best thing about today?

Creating beautiful patterns through repetition of stamping.

What's the worst thing about today?

Loosing patience and ripping up the clay, pressing holes all the way through.

What's the best thing about today?

I enjoy working quickly, moulding the clay with my hands and with tools.

What's the best thing about today?

Connection.

What's the best thing about today?

My daughters smiles.

What's the best thing about today?

Moments I loved, reading outside in the summer, mathematics and my pet bird.

What's the worst thing about today?

If I can't get out for a walk I get frustrated and agitated, it will be like my legs are springs!

What's the best thing about today?

I'm always on the move, I love going on walks and my favourite place to go is the park or down the streets with big trees on. It's so nice to be underneath a big green canopy and look up to see it moving in the breeze.

What's the worst thing about today?

Painting did not give such immediate results, I don't like waiting around.

What's the worst thing about today?

In the game, if you cannot roll a specific group of numbers then you'll have to cross off some points that you've already got. I find it frustrating to take a step backwards. lowering my score through an ill fated roll.

What's the best thing about today?

I play bass and I enjoy playing songs I know really well. A simple structure is beautiful in its simplicity.

What's the best thing about today?

I like spending time at home with my pet cat.

What's the worst thing about today?

In contrast, this city scape is full of people, smells, noise, and bright lights. I feel caught up in a city, this environment makes me feel stressed.

What's the best thing about today?

Out in the countryside is where I would like to be all the time, this landscape is quiet and still, somewhere I feel calm. I enjoy all the natural colours and shades, in nature everything seems to go together much better than the clash of colours back in the city.

What's the worst thing about today?

Cutting the clay my pieces don't stay solid for long.

What's the best thing about today?

Working the clay I like methodically rolling and hammering, I am focused.

What's the worst thing about today?

I can't stand cucumber but it always seems to find its way into my meals!

What's the worst thing about today?

Coming across an arrogant person. There is no way to get through to them.

What's the best thing about today?

Getting out my vintage gameboy and playing pokemon, of course!

What's the best thing about today?

I always want to do the right thing, this is something I worry about a lot and the more things go wrong the worse it gets.

What's the best thing about today?

Out in the countryside is where I feel calmest, its beautiful away from the city, and I love to watch horses out in the fields. This a tiny horse in a painted jar - a countryside of its own.

What's the best thing about today?

I enjoy trips out and about with friends.

What's the worst thing about today?

I do not like oversleeping.

What's the worst thing about today?

I'm pretty easy going most of the time, nothing much annoys me. I don't like listening to slow, classical music though. I prefer my 80's disco CD's.

What's the worst thing about today?

Washing and drying dishes.

What's the worst thing about today?

All my brothers spoil me like I'm a princess, but I can't stand it when I don't get my own way.

What's the best thing about today?

I love all my art classes, my favourite colour is yellow - I always go to use it first!

What's the worst thing about today?

When disaster strikes. I enjoy working with Bead It as you need to be very accurate and it takes a long time, but if you knock over some bead or knock them out from your half made design its really frustrating. I can't stand mess and a mistake like this has stopped me doing what I enjoy.

What's the best thing about today?

I often use Bead It to create artworks, placing the beads in a design and then ironing them creates a 2D image. This is a picture of a design I really like from Dragon Ball - the anime series. I really like anime because its different from anything else and a creative way to tell a story. The exaggerated expressions on the characters make it easier for me to understand and follow what's happening.

What's the worst thing about today?

I really miss having a cat, being reminded of my loss upsets me.

What's the best thing about today?

This was one of our cats, she was my favourite as she was very affectionate. She was a great companion, having her around always made me feel better.

What's the worst thing about today?

Leaving the clay as a flat piece, I preferred to pull it upwards and make it tall.

What's the best thing about today?

Enjoying playing with small pieces of clay in my hand, making delicate shapes.

What's the best thing about today?

I collect crystals. I believe they have a certain energy and I find it calming to hold them and have them around the house. Even if they don't really do anything to me I still feel better with them around, they are a good way to make me feel more positive.

What's the worst thing about today?

The view from the window out onto the harsh, grey city. These are times I don't enjoy, feeling isolated and depressed.

What's the best thing about today?

I always enjoy lying on the bean bag in the chill out room, listening to music with my eyes shut on the bean bag - I could do this forever.

What's the best thing about today?

This collage is made from images of gunnera plants I took while on a walk, near to this spot I went blackberry picking. This was a time I felt happy and calm, away from the mess of the city. There is a little toy train journeying through here, something I would love to have if I could!

What's the worst thing about today?

I don't like getting anything on my hands, I don't like the sensation of gooey things on my skin. I would often much rather be on my iPad!

What's the best thing about today?

This is one of my favourite books, I really like Thomas the Tank Engine, this page I return to a lot as I enjoy examining the images.

What's the worst thing about today?

The worst part of my days are when the English Literature course lecturers, in their wisdom, decide to assign a Virginia Woolf ( or a Henry James, or any other writer who can't tell a story for words). Writing that's so dense and flowery, with no plot at all to speak of, but you have to force yourself to read it nonetheless.

What's the best thing about today?

The best part of my day would be reading C. S. Lewis. When all of the essays and the exams are over, and you can finally read something you actually enjoy. C. S. Lewis is particularly fun to read, because his writing is 'straight to the point', and he likes to tell is how it is.

What's the worst thing about today?

I didn't enjoy keeping the clay flat and only working into it on the table.

What's the best thing about today?

Enjoying the motion of rolling the clay, creating an object, and giving it away to other people!

What's the worst thing about today?

I got some new shoes today, which I am not enjoying. They feel uncomfortable and there's a lot of laces involved in getting them on and off, hopefully I'll wear them in soon.

What's the best thing about today?

I enjoy the sensation of different textures on my hands and arms, rolling water across paper and plastic and mixing it with other materials to change its colour. I also enjoy the feel of the ground on my feet, if I can I love to be barefoot.

What's the best thing about today?

Photography is one of my favourite hobbies and brightens up my day. Being able to take still moments in time to capture beautiful or emotional scene, and the feeling of being able to create pictures that people can enjoy makes me overjoyed.

What's the worst thing about today?

Sharing the tools, I would rather keep them all!

What's the best thing about today?

Using all the tools, trying out all the possible shapes and patterns we could make.

What's the best thing about today?

Cutting and slicing the clay to alter it's shape, using the tools in lots of different ways.

What's the worst thing about today?

I didn't want to touch the clay with my hands as I didn't enjoy its coolness or it's texture, I used tools to divide it up.

What's the worst thing about today?

I don't like using a lot of force with the clay, or any other activity!

What's the best thing about today?

Dropping tools onto the clay I worked with small movements.

What's the worst thing about today?

I don't like the thought of scary monsters!

What's the worst thing about today?

I'm not a fussy eater but I really don't like it if someone tries to feed me fish. I don't like seeing living fish either as it gets me thinking about their colour and texture.

What's the best thing about today?

I really like going out to see the trains nearby, and if I'm in art I'm pretty good at drawing them too, taking care to get in all the windows, I enjoy the uniformity of their shapes.

What's the worst thing about today?

I don't like sitting still for too long, I could work on the clay and leave immediate imprints.

What's the best thing about today?

I like to know what's going on around me so I love to be on the move exploring.

What's the worst thing about today?

I don't like it if people won't listen to me, or feel they don't have time to give me their attention for a while.

What's the best thing about today?

I loved all the colours of the pipe cleaners and how quickly you could move and change their shapes.

What's the best thing about today?

A day when the sun is out is always a good day, if there's still sun but a bit of rain you might be able to see a rainbow too!

What's the worst thing about today?

Breaking Day - this submission has beautifully combined the best and worst part of the day into one, as these two can often be related. The collage depicts change in mood through colour, shape and composition.

What's the best thing about today?

This is a plasticine model of Steve from Minecraft, this was the first game I got into, and I still play it today.

What's the worst thing about today?

Here Steve has been defeated by one of the evil spiders in the game, I also hate spiders so it's a bad part of the day for me and Steve!

What's the worst thing about today?

My younger brother can really annoy me, the worst part of my day is often being wound up by him at home, this image shows some of the things he says that really get to me.

What's the worst thing about today?

Making something on my own is hard, I am always trying to get other people to do it for me.

What's the best thing about today?

I love superheroes, I know a lot about all of them, this Avengers film is one of my favourites.

What's the best thing about today?

Creating balls I enjoyed dropping them from heights, I liked other people to do it as I love the interaction and I love to play.

What's the best thing about today?

I love going to our Glee Club, singing on the stage is my favourite thing to do!

What's the worst thing about today?

I don't like the thought of missing out on anything, as these people might with covers on their eyes. I'm very curious of everything around me.

What's the worst thing about today?

Finding a spider in the bath, or indeed anywhere - is always the worst part of my day!

What's the best thing about today?

I liked creating line and pattern with masking tape, and taking time to arrange them in different compositions.

What's the best thing about today?

2 Lancaster bombers. Best thing about my day is when I am not alone.

What's the best thing about today?

The people pictured in some way make my day better. Even if it is something as simple as just being there.

What's the worst thing about today?

Whenever I am outside walking, I get caught by the rain. I do not like that kind of weather.

What's the worst thing about today?

A single Lancaster bomber. Worst thing about my day is when I am on my own.

What's the worst thing about today?

Black Hole. Running like the running stitch around my piece, a sense of holding everything together.

What's the worst thing about today?

Confusion.

What's the worst thing about today?

Distance