Tuesday, November 7, 2017

MIA....where I've been and where I am now

MIA-missing in action for over 3 1/2 months!

 Well, my last blog post and last DIVA challenge was on 7/20 and 2 days later I had an unfortunate freak accident.  Without boring you with the crazy details, I severely dislocated and broke my right wrist which required surgery where they had to put in 2 screws to hold one of the main bones together.
I also ended up with some nerve damage that controls some of the fingers in my hand.  Yes, this is my dominant hand, and the last thing you want to have happen when you are an artist. So, anyway I was in a soft cast for 10 days (combination of before and after surgery) and then a hard cast for 8 weeks.  I did get to change colors at the half way point, started with pink and ended with purple.


 
During that time I had to learn how to use my left (non-dominant) hand for everything.  I also have a wonderful husband who helped me with so much, I can't even tell you how great he's been!  I couldn't drive, so he took me everywhere, even if it was just for a ride in the mountains when the walls at home got too small.  I did a lot of guided meditation (Headspace app) and that helped me so much!  Also, I kept hearing Maria Thomas say 'Is this a good thing, or a bad thing...who's to say"....hmmmm such food for thought!  My Mom's voice in my head (yes, I still hear it after all this time) also reminded me that things can always be worse! So true, I have my hand and it's going to get better! 

I have missed tangling during this time so much! I know I could have done it with my non dominant hand, but I just couldn't for some reason.  I guess I like the detail and comfort of my right hand when tangling.  I also had to stop the DIVA challenges, which was extremely hard since up till then I hadn't missed a one!

I had just started a 6 week online class in using alcohol inks with Alexis Bonavitacola, an artist whose work I really admire.  In the class she was teaching us to blow the inks with a straw and canned air.  Well, after seeing everyone post in our private facebook group, I was determined to try it with my left hand.  I am so glad I did because not only was I able to do it, I created some beautiful art pieces, and I continued to create throughout the rest of the class and after.  Her website is www.alexisbonavitacola.com if you want to check out her beautiful art and classes.  I can not say enough about how wonderful her class, "Energy, Motion, and Flow" was!  Here is one of my favorite flowers! 


AWAKENING


So,  if you are still with me, that's where's I've been.  I am in a much better place now!  The nerve in my hand is coming back, slowly (I've been told it can take up to a year). I have been in physical therapy now for 4 1/2 weeks and have made incredible progress.  I do exercises at home 3x a day for 40 minutes each time.  It's a lot of time, but I am committed to it.  I want my hand back and functioning!  My surgeon tells me it will be a full year before it's all the way back, so I have a lot more therapy to go, but I'll get there. 

 As far as my art goes, I still haven't been able to tangle, but I am hoping that will be soon.  My surgeon tells me it will be very good therapy for my hand, like I didn't know that!  LOL!  I am still painting with my alcohol inks. I discovered so many techniques for working with the inks, received so much inspiration, and encouragement to take my art to the next level, as a result of the class I took. I created a website (on my own), updated my business plan, and I am starting to market my work. I kept my business name of Tangled Ink Art, since it fits both the pen & ink of Zentangle, and the Ink of Alcohol Inks.  If you'd like to take a look at my website and my artwork, I'd be very grateful!  WWW.TANGLEDINKART.COM

Also if you are on Instagram, I just created a page under TangledInkArt where I will be posting all of my work, so I love for you to follow me! 
If you go to my RedBubble store (link on my website) please follow me there too!
Thanks!
Sue

P.S.  I have missed all of you in the Zentangle blogging world and I am sorry I haven't been able to keep up with your blogs!  I can't wait until I can join all of you in a DIVA challenge again! 
 
 
 


 





18 comments:

  1. OMG Sue, I had no idea! I’m glad to hear you are one the mend and determind - a positives attitude is the best prescription! I am absolutely LOVING your alcohol inks!
    Keep well, get better, and I hope to see more Zentangle from you soon. 💖

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  2. Oh Sue, you have been on the bumpy road too long. I am so very glad you are taking your PT seriously. The older we get, the harder we we fall. This artwork is incredible. I'm very happy you are taking the mental aspect and turned it into lemonade. Your new sites are dynamite. Will put this in my groups and get you some traffic. I admire your talents, attitude and perseverance!

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    1. Marguerite, Thank you so much for all of your kind words and encouragement! It means a lot to me!

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  3. Dear Sue... I'm sorry you had to go through all that pain. I love your new alcohol ink artwork, colourful and full of movement! Sending {{hugs}}.

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  4. Oh my sweet friend. <3 You are so resilient. You found another way to create, to express yourself when you could have so easily just not and given up. You inspire. You always have. I'm sorry for your struggle with this, but dang, girl! Way to rock the plan "B". Love you <3

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    1. Thank you so much, Elisa! Love and hugs back at you friend! 💞

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  5. Oh my your injury sounds scary and painful glad to hear you are healing well. One first thought was your Diva Challenge streak, I'm you'll just start another one as soon as your able 😉. Your website looks good and your alcohol ink galleries are amazing.

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  6. Oh my goodness Sue! What a story. I hope your recovery continues as well as possible. I am completely inspired by your alcohol ink art and efforts and think it is amazing what you have done and how beautiful your work is. How wonderful that you can still use the name Tangled Ink Art! Coincidentally I have just started playing with alcohol inks too and find it so much fun! Love the color and the surprises! My Best to you!

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    1. Thank you so much, Karen! Your kind words mean a lot to me! So glad to hear you are playing with the inks too.....so much fun!

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  7. Your ink work is lovely! Hope your hand and fingers heal quickly! I think I would have been using my non dominant hand to tangle just to strengthen and teach those muscles, too. Take care!

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    1. Thank you, Terri! Oh, believe me my non dominant hand got a lot of strengthening and muscle work outs! LOL!

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  8. We each must walk "through" the valley ...... some stay and others of us come out the other side stronger for the experience. Love you Gal.

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    1. Thank you, Marty! Thanks also for our chat this morning and the laughs! Love and hugs right back to you! 💞

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  9. I have missed seeing your work! So sorry for your accident and glad to hear that healing is occurring. I don't know much about alcohol inks, but after seeing your beautiful artwork, I intend to find out more. Blessings.

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