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Anthony,
Thanks for your kind words and insights. You write very well. Interestingly when I realized what I had going on with me, I did a lot of reading on actual people with chronic pain conditions. One I remember was an artist of some sort, an actor I believe, who said that she felt that she was better able to cope as an artist than other people might be. Because she spent so much time in introspection, brushing up against melancholy and outright depression, she felt she had the tools she needed.I think she made a pretty good point, depressing but good.
Also, I'm not sure if I put what we do, making art, on such a lofty plane as you. We have a supreme court judge here who retired earlier this year. She has been appointed to the the UN High Commission on Human Rights. This woman's accomplishments utterly humble me as do those of the medical doctors and nurses who go into wars zones to alleviate suffering - without prejudice. Or investigative journalists who go to the blackest places on earth to bring the stories of the people there to the rest of the world.
A number of years back I painted a portrait of a boy in full hockey regalia, more of an illustration, if truth be told. The mother was picking the art up at the framing store/gallery that represented me at the time and that was also in the shopping mall where I was doing some grocery shopping. The staff pointed me out to this lady and she chased me down and gave me this big hug with tears in her eyes. I was very touched, and we certainly made more of a connection than two strangers in a shopping mall might usually do. But afterwards what I really felt was "I didn't do enough, I should have done more. I should have done better."
Anyway, those are my thoughts, probably about seven more that you wanted to hear! Inspirational movie: March of the Penguins. Go see it!
Janet
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