Archive for November, 2012

back in the saddle…

Thursday, November 29th, 2012

Last week I began to work with a personal trainer to build muscles and strength that I have neither had nor used in almost five decades. Immediately I felt empowered by what I actually can do and that I ‘exceeded expectations for your age.’

This was especially gratifying to hear as I rapidly approach the birthday classified as “elderly!” Aging is not challenging enough but then statisticians have to label you. I think of ‘elderly’ as twenty years older than I am, thank you so much! It was good to hear that my simultaneous talking while walking on the treadmill was beyond what they expect for a woman my age. Within a day or two that empowerment still resting in my cells activated my creativity.

As I have been processing all the stressful personal events of this year my creative well has just felt barren. A month ago I tried ‘therapy sewing’ as my friend Rayna Gillman calls it. At the time it didn’t feel too therapeutic but rather a tad tortuous. Clearly I wasn’t ready then.

Yet after feeling empowered by my body and trainer I began to think more about getting back to work. I knew I could stand and sit and stand and sit and stand and sit over and over again. So I went in and began to work on a piece that has been staring at me for nearly 5 months. The colors are glorious blues and greens…no sorry for your loss browns and blacks! I was able to work two hours before my knees said uncle. Ah progress.

So I have been back twice since. I occasionally find a little pull to check my email or Facebook while there which is really just the addictive part of spending the past five months online.

And I had a good chuckle this afternoon when my body was saying let’s stop for now…after all I had an hour with the trainer AND the chiropractor today so my bod is a tad tired. But I pressed on (no pun intended) until I made a stupid mistake. I had just pieced in a patch between strips and then took it to the table to cut the new curve and basically cut what I had just seamed!

All the same it feels great to be back in the saddle…

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writing the bones…

Friday, November 23rd, 2012

As I continue to process my father’s recent death, my rehabilitation from two major surgeries in the past 13 months and my husband’s ongoing health issues which are requiring more of my attention I find myself in a quandary. So much grief…so little time.

I am a verbal and visual person. I problem solve by talking about issues, breaking them down by writing or speaking to gain insight. Once I process it I let it go…and move on to the next issue.

As much as I went to Facebook kicking and screaming it has been a bit of a godsend. It ‘s often been my overflow valve when I needed to just vent something. Yet I feel it is really unfair to my husband and his escalating health issues to throw him under the bus by venting online about his problems. So how do I cope?

First I have returned to writing more. I sat down the other day to write a ‘few thoughts’ about my father’s death and my unresolved feelings regarding the shortening surgeries of nearly 50 years ago. Eight pages, single spaced later… it felt good and cleansing. Sure there is still more in there to come out but it was a great start.

And by opening the door to writing again I was reminded of my drafts on the ‘book of humor.’ The night following the celebration of my father’s 80th birthday I had a surreal experience otherwise known as the chocolate decadence birthday cake overdose. I was wide awake and hyped at 2 am so I got out of bed and began to write. I drafted 15 chapters for a book on humor. They’ve remained as drafts on the external drive for eight years now. It seems this might be a good time to reopen the files and finish that project. Although seriously can a book on humor ever be finished?!

So writing, continuing to work out to build the most functional body I have resided in and getting back into the studio where the colors are patiently waiting to embrace me once more will be my best medicine. Oh and chocolate…in small doses.

 

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behind the scenes…

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Today I went to a memorial disguised as a birthday party for an artist friend who died last month. She would have been 65 today. Judy was a wonderful pen/ink and watercolor artist, with all of her work being of animals. She was an exceptional equestrian and much of her work reflective of that.

One of the best parts of the event at the local art center was visiting with fellow artists. When one asked what is new with me and my art I took pause. I started to recant about how I am still recovering from my 2nd knee replacement in one year (cue the violins) when I suddenly changed course.

I remembered that while I am not actively making art at this moment due to surgery rehabilitation and the recent loss of my father, good things are happening for me and my art. The recollection was actually quite wonderful, a bit of cheer in my otherwise tedious journey of knee rehabilitation!

In the past two weeks my work was juried into Earth Stories, of which I posted last time. This is an exhibit of international artists which will travel for 3 years. Additionally I have landed a month-long solo exhibit of my work next April in Sausalito and I started an art group!

For years I have wanted to commune with other mid-career artists as a resource for support and growth. I was for a short time in a wonderful crit group but left as I was the most accomplished by far and there was nothing for me to learn. There has to be something in it for me!

Recently I spoke to a friend who is a sculptor and she was interested so I got on it. I invited women to join me whose work I love, and/or who I want to get to know better and who have websites, exhibition history and experience…the sculptor, a photographer, a painter, a brass artist and mixed media artists. All accepted so we are off and running mid-month in what I hope will become a monthly habit. The best part is they all are as excited as I am. Apparently there are many reclusive artists who also crave this connection with like minded souls.

So really while I have been hanging back, going to physical therapy and the gym, and spending unknown quantity of hours of the internet much has happened with my art! All really good news…

 

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