Hands are important to an artist....

After an accident severed my wrist in 1984, I ended my art career in NYC. After several years and several surgeries later, I regained almost 50% of its use and resumed doing my artwork but at a lower level and frequency. I did mostly sign painting and murals til I was able to do smaller and smaller details and increase in being able to do land and seascapes once more. I refrained from portraits because it became evident that I could make anyone look older or ugly. I just didnt have the physical control to do eyelashes or tiny curves in the facial portraits. On the other hand I began to do more and more scenery and that I could do well.
I had no nerves working in my hand so the muscles had shrivelled up. I worked by concentration using my tendons. Initially I had to tape brushes and pens to my hand and turn my arm at a different than normal angle since my forearm muscles were also damaged from the accident.
In 2005 after working on 2stories of sets for a charity Christmas play, I became their lead artist and was able to do all the fine details needed and touchups .it was a hard task but I was more determined than ever. After it was completed, m y hand was so cramped for a month that I went to a doctor who specializes in the injuries I had and he was amazed to say that after 21 years, nerves were growing back!! I was ecstatic.
It hurt however and still does.he said at the time that surgery may imnpair it more, so I opted to leave it alone and paint the best I could despite the pain.
Well last year I began selling my work online and painting more and more as well as learning to use a mouse to do digital paintings.
A few months ago my hand started to change, more pain, more stiffness and then some lumps began growing in it.I began losing my wrist motion and just to type online became more a one finger job with my right hand,although I type alright with the left hand.
I had to have it rechecked at the doctors.
Neuroma, granulomas and arthritis are taking over my hand now.Carpal tunnel is full blown from the scar tissue.To paint or not to paint....I hope not to lose the ability again as it took so long to come back.
Now however, I face surgery tomorrow and hopefully will regain some more usage again with the risk however of losing what little use I now have. I feared this day coming, so I painted as much as I could over the last couple of years and have learned to digitally paint.Even if I use motor function of my right hand again, I hope that I will be able to digitally paint to continue.
I will need physical therapy for a few months, but will not be able to take on any new commissions til I get the verdict on the surgical outcome.
I can do my printing and card preps left handed [but slow!]so I will be still holding my auctions on cards and aceos and small prints.
I currently have over 30 on this site available and am leaving them on relist for now.
So it is possible that my limited editions will now become even more limited.
I will be offline for tomorrow, as i dont have a laptop and I dont think they allow computer usage at this hospital.Besides I will be doped up so I probably wont see straight anyway.I will however check my computer and auctions as soon as I go home.
Have a great weekend everyone~!


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