Wednesday, May 27, 2015

In The Studio - Part One

Life as I know it has changed drastically since I've had to deal with this muscle spasm, possible ruptured disk and sciatica. This is my own diagnosis and at some point in the future, I will get myself looked at by a doctor but today, right now, that's not possible. My entire life has changed literally overnight. I'm limited in what I can do, where I can go and how I get there. There was no warning, no time to make adjustments or preparations. So far, I'm able to get up out of bed for a bit and walk around with the help from a cane and I'm grateful for that.

This is what the pain I am experiencing constantly looks like.

Photo credit taken from spineuniverse.com and the article "6 Leading Causes of Sciatica" Written by Reviewed by 

This is why I'm sleeping on average about 4 hours a night (not all at the same time) and taking pain relievers.

I'm also in the most creative cycle I've ever been in; slower, most definitely, but creative just the same. The best part about being awake so long and having very little energy or strength to move much is my art. The worst part is not being able to go down the steps and outside to be part of the changing seasons.

Spring from my window


Meanwhile, here are some doodles and other fun things I've been finishing up and working on. I'm STILL waiting for the pens I ordered over a month ago. This will be the 3rd attempt at getting them to me --- I really hope they arrive soon.






I picked up a mosaic to do this week too. I'm a little sad that I'm not yet strong enough to grout, it takes a lot of physical energy and strength to clean a mosaic free from grout. Repetition and movement are essential. It's more than a little likely that I will get the kids around me to help me do grouting. I think they will get bored quickly and not want to do it after the first few times but I will be able to share my mosaic magic with them once more and get the much needed help too. Win/win.




This mosaic is on a piece of teak wood, I believe, which is about as old as I am. It's been sitting in my substrate box for years. I've drawn and painted over a number of designs on it but when I saw the stars in my stash of found objects, I knew it would work for this. Along came the piece of glass precut into a crescent moon shape and the polymer clay word charm I made a few years ago "sun". The rest is easy! All of these things have been sitting here with me for quite some time but not until I saw them altogether like this did I realize it was time to do a new sun and moon mosaic! Yay!

The back is impressive as well - beautifully treated wood slice that was quite popular in the 1950's. I'm fairly sure at one point there was something attached to the part I am putting a mosaic on. When I got it (gifted by my Dad) it was just this great piece of wood. I'll be sure to share it too when the mosaic is completed.

Look for this in the shop within the next month.

Support Independent Artisans, Designers and Crafters for your gift-giving needs all throughout the year. Thank you!

Stay peaceful,
Cindy