From surgery to cast to imprimatura
 

I haven't been around (except for reading) because I had joint replacement surgery on my right/dominant hand three weeks ago. It will be three more weeks in a cast and then four to six weeks physical therapy before I will be able to paint again. You can imagine the desperate, insane, wanting I have to paint.

So now that I have the use of my four fingers (sticking out of the cast) I decided today to try an imprimatura. I was able to draw the figures with my left hand (very suprised, actually) and wipe out the highlights and lights with my right index finger and a rag. Here are my first efforts...thanks for looking. Perhaps you can image my excitement to be doing ANYTHING in oils!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat, I am so impressed by what you accomplished in your handicapped state! I would be going crazy if I had my hand in a cast. It really makes you think about what people must go through when they lose the use of their dominant hand and have to learn to paint (or even write) with their other hand.

Thanks, Alexandra. It is very frustrating, but my idle hours (many) have been spent in museums and my nose in art books. And I am working on my business plan and entering contests. But life without painting, I cannot imagine. I will never take my right hand for granted ever again.

I have been having pangs of repetitive motion stuff. A bit of tingling and numbness, more when I am surfing the web but it interferes with painting. I was contemplating what I could do with a stick tied to my hand like Renoir. I have also grabbed a brush with my left when I was tired....lots more BRAIN than muscle involved in that process. The result of your effort is very much worth it. Looks quite like you had things under control.

I think, as you are recovering and NOT supposed to do anything, moves patiently and you will produce great things until the GOOD hand comes back.

Wow, to think you may end up ambidextrous when your are done... cool!
dj*

Debra,
Please get better! You are so gifted, I've always admired your work.

It's a really lovely beginning. There's everything there a painting needs: life, mastery and magic in the paint strokes, composition, focus, and it is all working so well. It will probably do you more good (mentally, intellectually) than not, having to use your left hand for an extended period, and I am sure you end up freer in your creative attitude.

Thanks, Thomasin. I'm feeling freed up from having to "perform", just messing around, having some frustrated, fun! Today I am going to try drawing which will be harder than this painting was. At least I am working my eyes and attempting hand coordination is better than sitting around frustrated....

Thank you for your good wishes, and I am excited to see what you do next. Remember, be patient with yourself. I can feel your frustration. I discuss with my friends, there are things we can do and things we MUST do. I don't think some people understand that in artists. Even if we have had the luxury to do it all our lives as a hobby, it is gift we sort of take for granted unless we are unable. At that point it is no longer a gift it is a mandate.

I will watch your progress and become a cheer leader! But be kind to yourself. It is all new!

dj*

I guess it is true that some people have more talent in their little finger than others could ever aspire to! What a wonderful feeling it is to overcome a hand-icap and be able to create something while you are recovering from your surgery! Pretty impressive!

Thank you for the support and positive remarks, Debras!!

Hi Patty,

I was going to suggest you hold the brush in your mouth but then I realized there was no way you could keep from talking! ;-)

I wish you a speedy and full recovery. I'm glad you decided to take the bull by the horns and put this issue to bed.

Hey Marvin,
Ah, you know me too well. In fact just before entering my studio today, I cried out , "Hellooooo my Studio!" I rattle on even when I am alone...

thanks for all of your support. I still have what feels like a long road ahead with physical therapy before I can hold anything, but better now than later!

As a visual artist, I always thought losing one's sight would be the greatest tragedy, but losing use of the dominant hand (even temporarily) we use to create is right up there, so I really feel for you.

Sometimes a break can be good, with opportunity to think, read and incubate ideas, so I am sure you will take full advantage of what you can do and come back even stronger!

Thank you Laurel. I am off today to a museum, my weekly routine, to visit as many museums within a 100 mile radius, as I can.

Hats off to you, Patricia. I love your determination. My little girl has been through a lot of medical challenges for the past 6 1/2 months and I thought SHE was making it hard to paint. Now I feel like a slacker compared to you :) Bravo!

Hi Patti,

I wish you, likewise, a happy and fast recovery! You still have a sunny attitude, and sound like your delightful self.

I took a class several weeks ago with Sherrie McGraw, whose right arm has been in a cast for a couple of months - and she did knock-out paintings with her left hand, too. Oh, sigh.

If you practice with your left, then when you're done with PT, you can get two canvases going at the same time. Now THIS is a sight we'd ike to see.

Painting with two hands simultaneously, what a marketing tool that would be!
 

Thank, Natalie and Chris! Poor Sherri McGraw. Months....UGH!!!!!!! One would be forced to work with the left hand, believe me it is a very slow process from opening paint and squeeing out the paint, to mixing, to finagling the paintbrush in your left hand...all that before you even touch the canvas, ugh!

Thanks for your support. I greatly appreciate it.

Patty--

You GO! I'll remember this if I ever get laid up. No excuses, right?

-T

That's right, Tom, no excuses. Out of sympathy I finally got my husband to sit for me and this is the sketch I did using a pencil in my right first two fingers and my left hand. What a challenge. It feels exactly like being in grade school except I KNOW what I want to do, but just can't get there. But I figure it is still good exercise in seeing, don't want to lose that acuity. I've gotta laugh at this attempt, however, I did still get his likeness, just a bit ...off!!!

Try it sometime. You will never ever take your hand for granted again.

You know, most people on GOOD days can't do that.

Like I said, you are encouraging me. I am positive some early carpal tunnel stuff is kicking in, as my index finger likes to stop feeling every so often. NOW would be a better time to practice wrong hand drawing, before I MUST! Give the overworked hand a rest and see if it helps.

You are inspiring.
dj*

Thanks, DJ.

Folks--

Here's a link to a previous thread:

http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...=carpal+tunnel

-TE