Isa Tabasuares discovered her passion for painting at a young age, drawn to the unpredictable nature of watercolors, which she sees as a metaphor for life’s challenges. Just as unexpected splashes and drips can transform into beautiful elements in her paintings, she believes life’s imperfections and perceived weaknesses can become sources of strength.
In 2006, Isa moved to Berlin to pursue a master’s degree in Nursing Science. Four years later, she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and began treatment and medication. Now, through her art, she strives to destigmatize mental health issues, fostering awareness and compassion.
Currently working as a psychiatric nurse with children, Isa also expresses herself through painting, songwriting, and singing. She is in Barcelona for the launch of her book, Kaleidoscope: Snapshots of the Mind organized by The Filipino Expat Magazine and Kalayaan Barcelona which will be held on 22 February 2025.
TFEM: Who introduced you to the arts?
ISA: My father. He is a painter. Growing up, I would see him always painting, and he would let me join him. I would also join art competitions.
TFEM: Why did you decide to publish this book?
ISA: In 2023, another Filipino artist Lola Aberlin asked me if what I was interested to publish my art work after she saw my paintings in an exhibition in a gallery. During my exhibit, people came up to me, telling me that they were suffering from this and that, they started opening up.
My colleagues at work at the psychiatric department also came to see my work and they also found out more about me that a person they work with has also a borderline issue.
I have always been passionate about breaking stigma. We have seen videos on social media of people losing themselves at public places. I am sure that there is a diagnosis behind that. Through this book, I want to get out there. Share my story. Reach people at an emotional level.
TFEM: Was there hesitation or fear when you decided to share your story?
ISA: There was fear of course. Are people ready? But for me, it was important to start something. My story also includes alcohol and drug abuse. It was how I coped up with my life at the time I got lost. I will be telling this story knowing that I would be judged by other people.
TFEM: How can you describe Kaleidoscope? What is its main focus?
ISA: Kaleidoscope is an art book. My topic has a lot to do with mental health. It started when I noticed the taboo of not talking about our mental health. This work is more of an artistic piece than a written one. While there are words that share parts of my story (and I mostly approached this as third person/curator being the narrator), the focus is primarily on the art, with the text serving as a complement rather than standing alone in a traditional format. It’s not a book of words, nor is it a classic coffee table book.
There is a part of the book, as part of my healing journey, of me writing to myself and still including images ‘in my mind’ as I was writing that letter.
My art has always been my way of coping with the mental stresses of life, and beyond that, it has become a tool I use to build relationships with my patients as a nurse psychiatrist. This book reflects that journey—how creativity and mental health intertwine, and how art can be both a personal refuge and a bridge to understanding others.
All this and by getting my art out there, breaking stigma by “meeting people” at the emotional level. But at its core, this book remains an artistic conversation starter about mental health, using my journey as a neurodivergent individual as a point of reflection.
TFEM: What is the most important lesson you have learned from working on this book?
ISA: Usually when we are growing up, we learn to survive, we develop coping mechanisms, going through life. This book has been really a process for me where I learned a lot of things. I learned to ask for help. Having my paintings that are existing putting them in a book, I couldn’t do this on my own. I needed my curator to curate this book.
TFEM: Now that the book is out, how do you feel that the world will know your story?
ISA: I feel that its a huge responsibility. It is because this is very close to my heart.
TFEM: How do you expect your readers to react to the book?
ISA: It depends on how ready a person is. I can only hope that at an emotional level they could say, “this is her story and she has brought in her experiences, strength and hope.”
Because of the images of my art work, they can feel whatever feelings I have put on the paintings. In the end, there is a connection. I can connect with the reader, the person looking at my paintings even if they haven´t met me.
TFEM: Do you think we are ready now to talk about mental health issues?
ISA: It took me a while to be ready. It is a matter of an individual process. But if we just start having conversation and we resonate each other, we will find some common ground because It is very difficult and is rarely talked about. Healing is continuous. It is a lifetime job.
TFEM: Can we really break the stigma?
ISA: We can break the stigma through going into compassion, tough love. Someone who is diagnosed with BPD and who is trying to cut herself/himself away from people would be judged as stupid and toxic. I just want to be out there, do my part and tell them that I too went through that. That it is very difficult, it is very painful, lonely and powerless to be on the other side. And there is really a need to awaken and invite compassion and humanity from others.
TFEM: How is it living in Berlin?
ISA: I think artists thrive here. I came here toI study Master´s in Nursing Science at Charité Universitätsmedizin. The city has changed me. I was lost and found myself again. I think Berlin will be my base. Home is here.
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