ad libitum

A PAPER, NOT CYBER, ART JOURNAL

I really do consider my blog to be my art journal. But, I've always felt intimidated by the idea of a pen and paper kind of art journal (that's for "real" artists), too afraid to commit to paper. Hmm,  I wonder what makes paper more sacred to me. Maybe it's because I was born in the first half of the 20th century and I grew up with the tradition of artists working in concrete media, not cyberspace. Anyway, I was willing to take my hands to keyboard and mouse to start an art journal before I was willing to try the more traditional path.

With that in mind, I started another art journal today. I took Pitt pens and watercolors in hand (right hand, the one with working digits) and started to journal about a few things that are on my mind. I'm adjusting to the fact that my left hand will be in a cast for 8 weeks more before I can wean myself from it (found that out yesterday - I'm recovering nicely from my thumb surgery, but the body does not heal as quickly as one would wish; as I've said before: instant gratification takes too long). So, when I leave for Italy with Becky in 7 weeks, I will be a one-handed tourist. So, below is an entry in my new art journal, a merging of cast contemplation, preparation for Italy, and committing myself to pen and paper.

ONE HANDED ART

I've been going through art withdrawal the last few days (once the constipating post-surgical narcotics left my body) and have been working on a piece for Kathy McElroy's Orange book on a colors round robin we're in. Currently limited in the hand department, I decided to make a digital piece. I have a new cabinet card, which I've been wanting to play with; so, I scanned it. I worked at cleaning it up (bigger eyes, hint of skin tones, adding colors, etc.) and put in a sunset photo I'd taken on the drive back from Art & Soul, a flower from last year's trip to Hawaii and a champaign glass from last February's trip to Williamsburg. Then I had to write a few words to fit the picture.

After I printed my digital collage out on watercolor paper, it needed embellishment, but Kathy's piece's are all going to fit in a cigar box, so it had to be a flat embellishment. So, I decided to free-form stitch on the paper. Not a brilliant decision. I actually like the results, but it took a really (as in extremely, excessively, ridiculously) long time to thread my machine, change the foot and do the sewing with one hand and not very agile fingers sticking out of a cast on the other hand. After all that, I jazzed up the background sheet with color mists from Outside The Margins .

So, here are the pictures of the the original cabinet card, the digital collage and a scan of the finished piece.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES

  Happily, the 700 pound cast has been replaced with a sleek plastic, arm fitting one. I am no longer taking pain pills (still self-medicating with tea and chocolate as needed, though) and today I joyfully drove my car (the grocery store never looked so intriguing). I have a regime of physical therapy exercises that include thumb bends (still working towards a 90 degree angle) and making a fist (not very threatening yet). As you can see, I couldn't stand having an unaltered cast; so I took out the Sharpies and made an ornamental hand. It took me 2 hours; I don't work fast (or with great skill) one-handed. But, I'm starting to feel frisky and artsy and have even started working on a digital collage (this is slow work for me, so I'm not sure when I'll finish it; but I will post it when it's complete).

I want to thank everyone who left kind and thoughtful comments. I treasure each of you and I appreciate your messages.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THUMBS

There I was, sliding down the evolutionary scale, heading towards the primordial pool: I was losing my opposable left thumb ~ and it really hurt, too. Should I mention that this was all accompanied by deep sighs of self pity and much wallowing in self involvement. Not a pretty picture.  I knew what was wrong because this had all happened with my right hand 5 years ago. There are long medical words to describe my problem, but basically, arthritis is speeding up the wear-and-tear on my hands. The ligament (or is that tendon?) wore away and bone was rubbing on bone and my thumb was overextending. So, Dr Walton borrowed a piece of tendon (or is that ligament) from my forearm to stick around my thumb bones, cleaned up all the crushed bone dust and bits, stuck in two temporary pins and bandaged it all up. Now I have to keep my hand above my heart and elbow (swelling and extreme pain if I don't ~ don't bother to ask how I know this). 

There is a predicted 16 week recovery period, so I have collected an assortment of one handed art projects. In June, I'm taking Becky to Italy for her 21st birthday present, so I'll make her do all the heavy lifting, although I expect to have a light cast and wiggly fingers by then.

ART & SOUL ~ MY LAST REPORT

Alas, Art and Soul is over. I got back home last night at 10:30 and have landed smack dab into the middle of my real life (which is a nice life, but not nearly as artistically indulgent as Art & Soul). I will slowly unpack and organize my goodies (well, I will unpack them). I am posting my last set of photos here. There are the textured pmc charms I made in my second Sherri Haab class, the assemblage triptych I made in the Michael DeMeng class, and a photo of Michael with me, Lou, Joyce and Judy. The last picture is of what the car looked like as Lou and I set out for home (now you know why everything isn't unpacked yet). It was all wonderful. Life is good.

ART & SOUL REPORT #2

Oh my goodness! I'm exhausted! I'm having an incredible time. I've partied with Divas; I've met up with old friends ; I've met up with on line friends; I've taken classes (hey, I made a fringed ring with Susan Lenart-Kazmar , I transfered images onto pmc with Sherri Haab; and I've made pmc charms with Sherri in another class); I've been a vendor! It's all good.

ART & SOUL REPORT #1

On Tuesday, I left my house to go to Medina, Ohio to Lou McCullough's. She took me to a delightful tea room for lunch, to Hollo's to buy paper (because, of course, you can never have too much paper) and to Pat Cattans, to buy cool art supplies and objects (because I need more stuff). I met Tom, her wonderful husband and we had a great dinner at her son and daughter-in-law's. I felt like I was visiting old friends. On Wednesday, we left at 6 a.m. for Hampton. We talked for the entire 10 hour ride. Lou is such a cool lady!

Today I took Traci Bunkers' Uber Self-Portrait class, which I thoroughly enjoyed. After class, there was socializing with friends (heck, there was socializing with friends, during class, too). Thirteen of us went out to dinner at Red Lobster. This is obviously going to be a retreat filled with fun, food, friends, and great times as well as art. Below is a photo of me and my self-portrait ("Picture of the Artist As an Old Woman").