posted
Hopeful: Thank you (I assume you meant me in MN, not NJ... )! I've added the Lyme Artist Group link to my signature to encourage you all to come look and contribute when you feel up to it.
Stella Marie: I don't have a formal education in the arts either, but I have to create or I go crazy. And I've heard from some of my artist friends that lack of "formal" arts education can be a good thing...
ArtistDi: Your art life sounds wonderful! I used egg tempera for the first time for the one and only Russian Orthodox Icon I painted (or "wrote", as they say in the Icon business). I loved it so much that I invested in a lot of raw pigment, but haven't had the guts or health to try using them again.
Also, I found the book, Grief Unseen, by searching Google - Looks like a wonderfully rich source for healing. And thanks for the silverpoint idea. Hope the curator thing is good, and that you are able to find a way to paint again soon.
ArtistDi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2297
posted
Elizabeth, don't give up on the tempera. You can get Claybord so you don't have to prepare panels or you can go to the Society of Tempera Painters website and they have listings for sources of panels.
I remember that there is a place in NM that makes fairly good ones.
I am painting again, and have just primed two more panels on Sunday. I use a respirator to sand the panel down and I am extremely careful with my materials in terms of breathing dust, etc.
I just work a bit slower and I find that I must paint smaller to get more paintings done.
Take good care.
[ 21. March 2006, 06:31 PM: Message edited by: ArtistDi ]
Posts: 1572 | From Hatfield, MA, USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
elizabeth in mn,
i am sorry about the confusion. don't know where i got the nj from, but it doesn't take much to get confused, ya know.
to all,
i want to state that before the lyme robbed me of the creativity which has always been part of my life, i had major issues or blocks.
i have worked on them for years and years and still got 'em. related to abuse and deserving success and and pleasure.
the difference btw now and in the past, is that i used to get through a block and then be able to create the way i wanted. now, i still have blocks and the lyme brain fading artist's mind s**t.
just wanted to say that out loud, so that i will continue to fight and fight and fight for the right to be creative
thanks for listening
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
loved this thread. Until my daughter improves, I'm her eyes and ears. She has bartonella. I was struck by your comment about having migraines for four years. That's how hers started. Then came the anxiety and depression.
She is an artist of sorts...an actress. She was finding line memorization taxing, when it used to come so easy. When her drama teacher violated her, she started the rapid decline in health.
It took over a year to find out this is a Lyme related disease and get in touch with a doctor.
He timetable of life has come to a halt. But, we keep a dream board...can't lose those dreams.
Art is a wonderful expression when in pain. One of my favorite paintings was done all in blacks and grays by my father in law when they told him he had cancer (he really didn't, it was a misdiagnosis).
Another "migraine" painting is Munsch (sp?) The Scream! Couldn't say it better!
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Kelly,
I'm so glad you mentioned a dream board. I have an affirmation list I write and update regularly.
My list contains things from the most mundane to the most core, and it serves as hope and incentive.
I've been maintaining some variation of this for years. Interestingly, though, in the past I would lead with affirmation about my income. About a year ago, I realized that shifted.
Health moved to the top of that list, and income had dropped to about 7th or 8th place.
Nothing like Lyme to put things in fast perspective!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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posted
This thread is so inspiring, I've been hovering on it for days now. Thanks for getting it started and yes, it is good to discuss something other than medical issues.
Hats off to all you artists. I'm living vicariously through you until I'm better. Then I will be taking classes or whatever seems right. My personal passion is writing that started as therapy and turned into a necessity.
What carries me through now is helping my husband who is a theatre set designer at a high school. If you want to forget your problems temporarily, go hang out with 150 students after school. It is through their singing, dancing and sheer enjoyment of life that I heal.
Our art form is building sets, painting, lighting, sound, costuming, etc. It is a privilege to be around these wonderful kids and we are lucky to be in a school district that values the arts.
It also gives my teenage daughter a place to be and fit in when she has so much trouble academically.
Thanks again for starting this conversation!
Posts: 460 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2005
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SunRa
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posted
hey old and new friends! Count me in!
I got sick while studying art at school and due to severe neuro symptoms, pain, and MCS, I haven't been able to create much the past four years
My favourite media are B&W photography, abstract/surreal oil painting, etching, woodcuts, charcoal, etc. I also used to write music, play guitar, and I have a banjo, but got sick before I could learn to play it.
I won't let lyme win, but lately, I've really been struggling and feeling like I'm losing parts of myself. My art is a huge part of who I am and I hate not having that oulet to express myself. People have given me suggestions of new things to try, but anything that requires my focus will cause a major flare.
Lately creating art has become more of a stress for me since I flare up so badly and get extremely frustrated that I cant do what I used to be able to. I also get depressed that I don't have the creative ideas I had before lyme.
Even reading this post makes me emotional, but I thought maybe it would be more therapeutic to write than ignore it.
Like many artists, I've always been a little OCD with my art and always need the final product to be "perfect" in my mind. But since getting Lyme, my "OCD" has become even MORE of a problem, making creating ANYTHING nearly impossible, especially since I flare so much from even attempting the smallest projects.
Do anyone else have this problem?? I'm so upset that my passion has now become a major stressor in my life.
The only thing I've been able to do a little of lately is digital photography. It's not the same as being in the darkroom, but as long as I have the little window to look through, I still feel some joy
Anyway, thanks for letting me vent here. I'm flaring from even writing this, but when I feel a bit better, I will check out the Yahoo group. I think it's a great idea and would love to see others' work.
wishing you all peace & healing May our creativity flow!
Posts: 1563 | From MA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
I used to LOVE drawing, and before I got Lyme I was pretty good at it. When I'm sick, I can hardly draw stick figures. When I get better, I can draw quite realistically (sp?). It's quite weird.
What's weirder is that I've played piano since I was six, but always had to read music. When I got really, really sick with Lyme, I could suddenly play music by ear, but not read music. After the meds started working and I started getting better, that stopped. I've never been able to do it since. Has anyone else had something like that?
I love crafts though. I mostly crochet and knit, but I love cross stitch and embroidery and things. It's great to have somthing to do when I'm sick.
Posts: 19 | From Georgia | Registered: Feb 2006
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
Hi Everyone, Well, I figured out how to get a couple of my paintings up on the site...thank you El, for the opportunity to get things out there...I only wish I had new material...these are pre-lyme days. Best!!
-------------------- We are spiritual beings on a human journey...
posted
Man, I just love this thread. Even reading posts from those of use that are depressed and not creating -- I don't feel so alone.
Sun Ra: You are not alone. I have always been a bit OCD about art and everything. When my illness started impacting my hands, 12 years ago, I gave up all my art for a while. Nearly killed me, it was so painful.
I found over time new things that I could do for just a little bit, and I made myself do them, even if it was very bad. I started doing quick sketches on my Palm - really rough bitmap drawings. I sort of got into it, and they got a little better. They are by no means representational art, but they were fun.
I still have a hard time doing some art since I can't do it perfectly. Most things I can't to at all, just 'cause my hands won't work.
I'm trying to adopt the philosophy, "If it's not fun, don't do it." Hard to switch from perfection to fun, but I feel like it's helping.
Human: Thanks so much for posting your work on the Lyme Artist group. It is just beautiful!
posted
What an interesting collection of artistic endeavors...I am so impressed by the enthusiastic replies... my own attempts at creativity over the years were varied and mostly small amounts..ie;poetry,water colors,ink drawings and piano..never learned to read music..played by ear and actually developed quite a repetoir....but all of those things evolved into building.. mostly small wooden things..coffee table,corner closets and designing rock landscapes...My own garden would become a palate every spring and summer..each very different from the previous year..The summer after 9-11,my garden was planted in all red,white and blue......but alas as so many of you have written this evening,I too have lost my creative drive...can't think clearly to even begin on a design and am totally uninspired.. i feel lost within this sea of meds and waves of pain......and so it goes...hence my login name.."Bartonella Blues"...
Posts: 42 | From northern calif. | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
Wow! I'm so happy I found this thread!! I love that there are so many artists here.
Lyme disease does deaden something inside, doesn't it. I'm a different person because of it. Although, I put up with less bull now, because I'm just too tired.
I use to do collage....big ones. And paint. I love the smell of oils....now I make jewelry. It's fun and helps, because it is doing something creative....but it really doesn't feel creative the way painting, etc. did.
I'm starting to make lampwork beads....which I think will be more creative when I get good. The problem with this is playing with fire....not smart when you are tired and dizzy. So things just take longer.
Thanks so much for all the messages!! It's really wonderful to feel a connection with artists who have Lyme. I think we can understand each other!
Susan Posts: 92 | From Shepherdstown, WV | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Hi Blues and Susan! I am inspired to hear about your artistic endeavors.
Susan, I love lampwork! I used to work in high-end polymer clay bead, mostly imitating natural stones or ancient beads and etching. I was on the verge of switching to lampwork when I first got really sick. Had to give up all hand work in general.
Blues: Do you still manage to garden?
Feel free to join the Lyme Artist Group listed at the bottom of this message. I would love to see pictures of both of your work -past or present. Warmly, Elizabeth
posted
[QUOTE]Originally posted by AZURE WISH: [QB] I was just wondering .... if their were any other artists on the board
and if there is ... how your lyme symptoms have effected your work.
Hi, AZURE WISH --
Just thought I'd add a vote of sympathy. I'm a writer, used other mediums mostly for myself -- beadwork, dyeing, drawing -- I have a BFA but never ended up doing much with the visual part of it. I am a published author, but I have written very little since around 2000. It is one of the two gauges I use to tell if I'm making progress -- can I do anything creatively, and how are my hands?
The %^$# is that I have Lyme arthritis, and was mis-diagnosed for years, same old same old. I finally found a LLMP last year here in Texas, but she just had to relocate to SF/CA, so I'm now a phone client. I was just starting to feel like writing again -- wrote two short pieces, started a third, was back working on a synopsis for another book, and then POW! Hit the Bicillin Shortage Wall. Went on amoxicillin a month, had two weeks of Herx before I really felt like functioning again. Hands so-so, creativity still in the toilet.
Back on Bicillin for another three weeks -- then start Flagyl and Zithromax (sp? her handwriting is Medical...) which I am dreading.
I will say this -- I started noticing after I'd been on the Bicillin a couple of months. The creativity is still there, believe me. Mine is seething like a coil of snakes just under the conscious level. Occasionally it blasts out and I sit at the computer for hours, taking notes.
It's the only thing keeping me going, other than my sweetie and some good friends. I was a tech writer eons ago, but would have to return to school for it, I haven't written for computers in a while. Now I'm an LMT/MTI, but I can't teach with no attention span. I can still do a very effective form of massage therapy on people -- I do one person a day, so I'm not broke yet. But I can't continue this as a profession, my hands won't take it. And I don't think I could keep up with the computer changes to push into web design full time.
If the brain can heal enough I want to go back to school and study something I can be useful at -- and hope I get the writing back. But I do have neuroborreliosis, so don't know how long this will go on. I figure if I'm writing again in six months I'm doing great.
Right now I have three web sites to finish designing and get up before I start the new drugs!
I hope you see some signs soon of your own creativity returning. Try to hang in there -- hope is a powerful medicine.
Posts: 8 | From Austin, TX | Registered: Mar 2006
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Polymer clay beads are so cool, too. I joined the yahoo group and will get some of my jewelry up and try to get some of my older pieces up at some point....I already have pics of the jewelry.
I hope more people put their work up....it was great seeing yours and those beautiful people pieces.
Susan
Posts: 92 | From Shepherdstown, WV | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Susan: So glad you've joined us! I look forward to seeing your photos. I'm getting quite a thrill just looking at others work, both past and present.
Alfreda89: I'm a writer, too! (As well as a dabbler in many other media). I find it very hopeful that you have felt some creativity return occasionally. Thank you for sharing that.
What kind of work have you published, and what are you working on now? I'm working in fits and starts on a memoir. I'm going to try to apply for a local writing scholarship program, although I'm not sure I'm well enough to accept in the unlikely event I should win. (Is that right? Sounds terrible...)
Some weeks I don't write at all, but I try to at least journal a little, unless my hands are completely on strike.
The Lyme Artist group is for visual artists and writers, in case you want to post anything there. I haven't got any written work polished enough to share yet, but I'd love to see some of your work, if you feel like sharing.
posted
Yep, one day at a time. One of the Drs. at the Lyme conference said something that I found so interesting. One of the symptoms of Lyme disease (+ coinfections) that he (I think it was a he...Dr. R) noticed in his patients, is that people with Lyme disease don't think about or plan for the future....
and the past is a place where we would like to go back to - if we were well then....but mostly we are just trying to make it through each day....we live right now, in each day. I never could do that very well before.
After he said that I thought about it...it is so true for me. I never use to think about the future at all. I was more like an old person, near the end of my life....not much to look forward to.
But I've started feeling a little better lately and I notice that I am starting to think about my future as an artist more often. I have thoughts like "I can't paint today, but there will be time to do that someday"....it'a really a very different way of thinking!
Sorry to ramble on....can anyone else relate to the no future thing?
Susan Posts: 92 | From Shepherdstown, WV | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Wow -- this thread totally got away from me! I'll have to go check out the yahoo site...
Holly -- I found your comment about playing by ear vs reading music interesting. I've wondered for a while now if playing by ear is something lyme related -- I can do it not only by ear, but from memory -- and I appear to have perfect pitch. I've suspected for a long time that there is something weird about my audial processing, as I literally *always* have a song stuck in my head, and I can also remember lyrics I havent heard for 20 years.
I hope I don't lose that (the playing by ear part) when I get better. The song in the head I could do without most days, and I certainly wouldn't mind being able to read music better!
-------------------- "Looks like freedom but it feels like death.. It's something in between, I guess"
Leonard Cohen, from the song "Closing Time" Posts: 822 | From California | Registered: Jan 2006
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
Lymesly you said "....can anyone else relate to the no future thing?"
Yes defintely!
When I was so bad I couldnt walk or hold a fork and I was only awake about 4 hrs a day...
Then I had to focus all my energy (which was very limited) on trying to get from the couch to the bathroom... and doing other function things.
Now I still have a long way to go before I will be able to teach but I can see myself teaching...
I know its there and I can almost touch it.
Same with my art.
Once and awhile I can paint or glue...
but I think well maybe in a month or so I'll be able to work with plaster and eventually someday get back to carving wood.
When you are so sick I think you get trapped in the moment out of necessity (needing to function)
I am going to put some stuff up on the site as soon as I get some pics...
maybe I'll include a couple poems it will take me a little while to sort through them though.
posted
I'm an artist too, kinda. I ahve some sketches and pastels. I will try to load them sometime...
-------------------- ~Things may happen in my life time to change who I am but I refuse to let them reduce me...~ Posts: 968 | From private | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
It's so fun to see other people's art! I love it.
Azure: You are so right....you do get trapped in the moment....that's a good way to put it.
When I was really sick, I would have fleeting ideas/moments of thinking "But I am suppose to get better at lampworking...well maybe in my next life".
I always had hope I'd get better....but I really don't know if I believed I would.
I've heard this before, but at times I wouldn't have minded if I just died.
Except for my son. My next thought would be "Ben needs me".
Susan
p.s. Azure, it sounds like you are getting so much better! That is wonderful!!
Posts: 92 | From Shepherdstown, WV | Registered: Jan 2006
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Have you tried 1) warm baths with some epson salts or cider apple vinegar (the real thing, NOT Heinz apple cider FLAVORED vinegar and 2) gentle massage? You've got to knock out those triggers before they get worse. However, if you're that seized up, talk to the LMT on the phone first. They need to know that you are seriously Herxing, and that you might be able to handle only a couple of TrP clearings. You don't need anyone telling you that a bunch of painful releases all at once is good for you. How much you can stand at once is a decision only you can make.
You really need Critz Release, but it's new and there are only a few states you can find people doing it. Little to no pain to giver or receiver. That helps me. Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy also helps -- it is gentle and draws fluids to the cells to move wastes out, AND gives me back more mobility. Better than manual lymphatic drainage. But -- don't have it on a day when your joints are swollen, because they'll stay inflamed an extra day (at least that happened last time to one finger.)
I feel for your not being able to throw -- I have these story ideas just out of reach, I can feel them, I get glimpses -- but no continuity....
quote:Originally posted by trails: Bad news my artsy fartsy friends:
I threw on the wheel for the first time in 3 years and paid for 3 days straight. My legs were SO sore...my back was seizing up and my hands ---there are muscles in there that were cramping that I didnt even know existed!
It was SO painful to throw too. All my joints were on fire and I just felt like crying the whole time. It was very dissappointing, even though I went with an open mind, just looking for FUN---no products.
I THREW great---I am still very skilled, but I am in much too much pain to ever consider doing it on any regular basis.
This has been beyond depressing for me. Dont worry---you dont need to cheer me up. I am very accepting of where I am. I just wanted to let you know how my "class" went.
Yuck.
Posts: 8 | From Austin, TX | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
I have. Until I became an LMT, I had difficulty NOT thinking always of the future. Being an LMT showed me I had past, present and future.
Now, with the Lyme, it's hard to think very far ahead at all. You can get caught in anxiety loops, or overwhelmed by small details that become large because they impact your life in a major way (like MUST do taxes this weekend...)
Part of me knows I should be thinking about what I will change to for a job. But the Bicillin L-A kicks my tail with every shot I get, and when I change to flagyl -- well, how could I be studying for another profession?
Contemplating filing for disability, but dreading it.
I think of it as being caught in twilight -- not day, not night. We're children of twilight.
quote:Originally posted by lymesly: Yep, one day at a time. One of the Drs. at the Lyme conference said something that I found so interesting. One of the symptoms of Lyme disease (+ coinfections) that he (I think it was a he...Dr. R) noticed in his patients, is that people with Lyme disease don't think about or plan for the future....
aSorry to ramble on....can anyone else relate to the no future thing?
Susan
Posts: 8 | From Austin, TX | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
E in MN -- A fellow writer who understands this business. We're not alone -- Amy Tan and Meg Calbot and Toni Morrison also have Lyme.
I've got a client to deal with, but wanted to give you my URL, in hopes that my chapbook I published last July inspires you. We can't give up! I've done a short story or two, and made notes on a few things. I also keep a Live Journal, and writing in that counts. I try to have beginning, middle and end to each post.
Keep trying to write! When the moment hits, talk into a tape recorder to transcribe later, if you must, but don't let it get away! I carry a small blank page book to write when the moment strikes.
Off to the client --
A89
quote:Originally posted by Elizabeth in MN: Alfreda89: I'm a writer, too! (As well as a dabbler in many other media). I find it very hopeful that you have felt some creativity return occasionally. Thank you for sharing that.
What kind of work have you published, and what are you working on now? I'm working in fits and starts on a memoir. I'm going to try to apply for a local writing scholarship program, although I'm not sure I'm well enough to accept in the unlikely event I should win. (Is that right? Sounds terrible...)
Some weeks I don't write at all, but I try to at least journal a little, unless my hands are completely on strike.
The Lyme Artist group is for visual artists and writers, in case you want to post anything there. I haven't got any written work polished enough to share yet, but I'd love to see some of your work, if you feel like sharing.
Warmly, Elizabeth
Posts: 8 | From Austin, TX | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
Great Thread! " Children of The Twighlight" That's perfect Lymesly!
Sure gave me a lightbulb moment. I was sure someone had dropped me off here from another planet. Not only did I forget at one time that I had Lyme, I also forgot about all the different modalities I worked in.
I think probably because I never made a career out of any artwork, I didn't consider myself an artist. Bear with me while I plug back in. Let's see, I have made jewelry (silver, turqouis, other stones etc) bracelets. necklaces. designed and sold handmade ties, too sick to continue.
Took sculpting classes, handmade pillows, throws...dabbled in writing, studied classical voice for a year, did some handbeading, worked with oils and watercolors etc. Believe me I am in no way bragging because I have not really followed through totally with any of these things.
Apparantly I must have had a bad case of ADD even before I got bitten. We'll, as the saying goes it's better to have dabbled than never to have dabbled at all.
I am really happy to have found this site...Maybe it will give me some new sparks to start being creative again. I think I will start a company and call it "Dabble Works" (just kidding)
On second thought, I think I will register the name and everyone can put their work together and we can put some of the profits toward a healing center.
My new favorite expression about this lyme journey is "What A Night F......Mare" It gives me a chuckle. Hope I didn't offend anyone. Will try and post again soon.
Wishing Us All Peace Light & Healing
Gael
Posts: 121 | From philadelphia | Registered: Feb 2006
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
Gael...
I dont think you have to make your living at art to be an artist.
Art was never about profit for me.
It started as a coping mechanism when I was young now it is more like an addiction or infection....
I couldn't walk away even if i wanted too.
I would rather burn an artwork of mine than sell it to someone because it matches their couch.
The closest I came to commiting to a media is mixed media ...
I don't think you have to commit to a medium...
Hey picasso (sp?) never really committed to a style ... didn't seem to hurt him a bit.
Gael I see you are in philly... Do u know university of the arts? Its on broad street.
Thats where I went to college.
Oh and does anyone think that there is anyway to get the lyme artist web link added to links or posted somewhere....
Be ready for some far out stuff! As far as limitations, my main problems were having to sleep all the time, having a very difficult time carrying electronic keyboards and amps, and, not least, having to take pills by the handfull, constantly, and keep track of what I had taken!
It was a tough 3 or 4 years.
Best wishes to everyone! DaveS
[ 09. April 2006, 03:07 AM: Message edited by: HaplyCarlessdave ]
Posts: 4567 | From ithaca, NY, usa | Registered: Nov 2000
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quote:Originally posted by minimonkey: Holly -- I found your comment about playing by ear vs reading music interesting. I've wondered for a while now if playing by ear is something lyme related -- I can do it not only by ear, but from memory -- and I appear to have perfect pitch. I've suspected for a long time that there is something weird about my audial processing, as I literally *always* have a song stuck in my head, and I can also remember lyrics I havent heard for 20 years.
I hope I don't lose that (the playing by ear part) when I get better. The song in the head I could do without most days, and I certainly wouldn't mind being able to read music better!
I have that too! I think of it as my "mental iPod", hee. I can remember every bit of a song most of the time, it gets annoying if the song gets stuck in my head, but other times it's quite fun.
Unfortunately I totally lost the playing by ear thing when I started to get better. I had to be really, really sick to have that. I miss it, though.
Another weird thing is that I totally lost my sense of smell, yet my hearing got incredibly much better. It was strange. But possibly that has something to do with the playing by ear thing?
Posts: 19 | From Georgia | Registered: Feb 2006
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SunRa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3559
posted
Dave, I'd love to hear your work, but when i tried to DL the Mp3, it showed up in my iTunes as a 4 second silent track titled "Track #3"
anyone else have this problem or did I mess something up ? i'm not too sharp these days...so its definitely possible Posts: 1563 | From MA | Registered: Jan 2003
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
I finally posted four poems... at least I hope I did I was a bit confused...
posted
Azure Wish: Your poems are beautiful. I want to go write poetry now!
Dave: I'm listening to your MP3 as I write - it's so cool! Do you ever get to perform this stuff live? And are you better now? You said "It was a tough 3 or 4 years."
(SunRa: Dave's file loaded and played from my browser window, not iTunes. Maybe you have a setting selected for iTunes to be your preferred app to play MP3s? Just a thought.)
SunRa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3559
posted
hmm, i'll have to figure it out..thanks for letting me know Elizabeth Posts: 1563 | From MA | Registered: Jan 2003
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
I've been looking for someplace to post this quote for a long time. I thought this might be just the place...
"The art of creating something out of nothing is an act of magic. It's not only something born of joy and love, but also out of our hurts and sorrows. And while it may not be the cure for the emotions that assail us, it does allow us to step past the barrage of helpless sensation into other, less numbing, perspectives where it is possible to find breathing space, and pehaps even some emotional balance."
Charles de Lint
from Tapping the Dream Tree from the story Granny Weather
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I saw a brilliant and very intense image while coming out of a dream one morning last week. I grabbed the sketch pad I keep laying around, for no reason for the most part, and I drew what I saw and then something else needed to be drawn.
It was the first time in so many years that I was actually inspired to create anything and it felt so good and it took me to that other place.
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Just found this link, and I too am an artist. In fact I got bitten painting by Traverse Bay in Suttons Bay, Michigan where I was teaching oil painting w/palette knife. Ever think that the creative muse in us can be helped by Lyme , in the long run? Each of us has suffered and my first painting teacher told me that a good artist has to suffer, and ARE WE!
Art is my life an obsession. Without it my soul would dry up and die. If I cannot paint I read magazines such as SouthWest Art or Art of the West and evaluate each photo of art work. Why do like it, why don't I like it, how about the background, are the shoulders too wide? Arms too long? I am a realist who does realistic impressionism.
6 months after being bitten I was laying in a Hospital on Maui, my home looking out the window at Iao Valley and crying because I used to hike up there and paint plein air (On location)
WE can live with Lyme or live and not let Lyme control us. If you can't paint, draw, look at photos and sort by desire to paint someday,Write, dream, look, absorb. I firmly believe we can paint in our minds. Did you ever spot something that would be a good painting? Do it in you mind first, get someone to take a photo for you, study it, draw it , some day you will paint it!
I have to believe that I will continue to paint. I use the palette knife so I don't have to use turp, just a lot of paper towels. I've only painted about 8 hours since quiting my motor home in October but each hour is etched in my mind as pure pleasure. I believe that we get in touch with our souls when we do art work, whether it is singing, painting, music, clay work, etc. Lately it is knitting for me, it is a good neditaion tool and pain seems to lift as my spirits do lift. I've had to quit work as a professional Floral designer, had two FTD shops in western suburbs of Chicago before moving to Maui where I learned to paint. If I can't paint I go to Shabbona State park and park by the water -lake and picture paintings in my mind. I am in Illinois now, leaving for Michigan in June, can't wait, that is where my heart is, even if it is where I got bitten. I teach oil painitng sometimes at Michaels, never know how I am going to feel, but have always been able to get home vene in a herx. Us Indians are tough! Would love to chat with other artists and am always looking for painting partners. At this stage I just park jeep and open hatch and sit and paint. Used to hike up in mountains of Maui, but no more, but have great memories. Keep up art work, it is our salvation! Check out my name, Jane swanson in internet to see some of my paintings. I'd love to see yours! A Plein air painter who misses Arizona and Hawaii
Posts: 137 | From somonauk , Illinois | Registered: May 2001
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Jane Swanson I dont know if you know this but they make water soluble oil paints. So you could use whatever tool you want and without turp.
Actually they sell them at micheals... (at least at the one near me)
posted
I was an illustrator for 20 years till computers took over but have used all medium. I've been treated for lyme for the past 6 months and recently found that my mercury and lead levels are high.This was after my LLMD suggested the test. It sounds like heavy metals can affect the immune system and now my antibiotics are not working like they should. Because of the exposure artists getin their materials maybe getting tested for heavy metals is something other artists out there with lyme would like to consider. (do hair or urine test, bloodtest is not accurate)
Posts: 82 | From east hampton ny | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
Wow, I thought i was alone on this subject, I'm shocked with all the responses. Art was my special gift from birth. I was a multimedia artist,(painting, sculpting, stained glass, furniture refinishing, etc.)I always had a creative artist talent from the time i was young, and it was a big part of my life until lymes.
The arthritis and weakness has robbed me of this gift. Even my handwriting has suffered, i now have the handwriting skills of a 2 year old. I no longer have any creativity because of the "brain fog", that has now affected my whole thought process.
Kris
-------------------- kris Posts: 3 | From delaware | Registered: Jun 2006
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
Delaware diva-
with treatment you will create again.
The creative does not go away - it just hibernates why we are overwhelmed with trying to cope with all our symptoms.
I have probelms with my joints to. The pain was so bad my fingers were crumpled for over a year and a half. Now I can straighten them and I can work on my art once and awhile.
And now that I am some better - creativity and ideas came flooding back.... more ideas than I could execute even if I was well.
Hang in there with treatment you can get back to your art.
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