Pages

▼

Friday, June 24, 2011

Recovery Time = Creative Time

The recovery time after my surgery has tested my patience quite a bit. There are many things I simply cannot do yet - lifting for example. Have you noticed how often you lift something? Something that is heavier than a mug full of some delicious latte? Do you know how often you use your abdominal muscle? Coughing and sneezing is the worst!

Consequently, I spend a lot of time reading and in my studio (aka the dining room). This little (5x5) bird canvas has been on my mind for quite a while, and the background was painted before I went into surgery. After that it hang around a bit until I finally got the kick to finish it - and I like it. The bird is made of fabric.


Kaefer saw the fish canvas that I finished some weeks ago and told me she wanted one for her room, so I took out a 6x6 canvas, painted it and cut some fish out of patterned scrap paper since she wanted it really colorful. I enjoyed playing with this one, and Kaefer loves it.


I also played in my art journal and created some backgrounds on a few pages - this one is my favorite.


I'm quite happy that the recovery time has turned out to be a rather creative time. I'm convinced that it helps the healing process.

I'm linking this to Paint Party Friday and Sneak Peek Friday - both sites are full of wonderful artists (go check it out). I hope to visit as many as possible of you, but I can't promise. The painkillers that I still need (though in a lesser amount now) make me tired a lot and I can't sit at the computer for a very long time.
at

39 comments:

  1. Kay L. DaviesJune 24, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    I'm certain your creativity helps the healing process, Carola. Artistic creativity relieves stress, and stress interferes with healing, so there you are!
    Hoping you are well soon.
    I love the bird, and Kaefer's fishes!
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

    ReplyDelete
  2. VictoriaJune 24, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Hi Carola..Beautiful work as always...wonderfully inspiring...lovely!!
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  3. Micki WildeJune 24, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    I am so glad you are able to be creative through this time, I was not when it happened to me.
    I remember crying my eyes out because I wasn't able to lift the kettle to make myself a coffee shortly after surgery, it really is amazing how many muscles we use just to do something that simple.

    Wishing you a speedy recovery x

    ReplyDelete
  4. FrikoJune 24, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    I am glad you are on the way to mending again. Gall bladder pain )colic) is such agony that it's best to get rid of the thing pronto. Mine is out too.

    at least you've had the leisure to indulge in your favourite creative occupation, to great merit.

    Gute Besserung!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnnaJune 24, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    get well soon!

    ReplyDelete
  6. NettyJune 24, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Beautiful works Carola. Recovery time is something you cannot rush, but it is frustrating. See you in dreamland.......lol Happy PPF. Annette

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sadee SchillingJune 24, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    These pieces are so sweet! I especially love the bubbles in your "blue" piece. First time visiting your blog...coming from Studio JRU. And it's funny--I'm an American who recently moved to Deutschland with MY German "Geek!" :) Nett dich kennen gelernt zu haben. Gute Besserung! --Sadee@aPicturebookLife.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. wednesdayJune 24, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    You're lucky to be able to be so creative while you recover. Hope you are better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Maria OntiverosJune 24, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Love the birdie canvas. Take it easy as you recover.
    Rinda

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jennifer {Studio JRU}June 24, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    That is certainly a positive... more creative time! Pretty pieces! Love the sweet bird piece. I hope you continue to feel better and better! So happy to see you today! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    I"m so sorry about your pain, but your creative juices are working wonderfully! Love the birdie!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Paula - Buenos AiresJune 24, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    ~Quick healing thoughts for you~
    Lovely canvases.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    beautiful as always,,

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Love love love your birdie! I hope you recover soon. SO glad you are able to be creative. I believe it does help keep the mind off things. You are scaring me a little though as I may be following down the same path. Going in for a nuclear scan of the gallbladder next week. I have had problems off and on for the last 10 years! :-(

    Happy PPF. Glad you are back. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. ChantalJune 24, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    and creative you sure have been

    ReplyDelete
  16. foxysueJune 25, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    Glad you are on the mend! Art therapy, and lots of it is my prescription, just like what you have done here. Lovely.

    Sue x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hybrid JJune 25, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    The texture and details are so interesting. Well Done!

    ReplyDelete
  18. helenaJune 25, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    love the blue piece - so tranquil. Take care as you recouperate

    ReplyDelete
  19. silJune 25, 2011 at 1:14 AM

    Very happy to hear you're slowly recovering :) Your works are amazing! So colorful! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  20. RobertaJune 25, 2011 at 4:52 AM

    Oh boy do I hear you Carola on the "lifting" after abdominal surgery...years ago I had emergency surgery because my gall blader had burst and I was in the hospital for over 7 days afterwards (I almost died from the poisoning the doctors told my DH ;) Then it was 6 weeks of no lifting...ugh! But I'm grateful to have that behind me and I did get a lot of reading done then. I wasn't into art journaling and I didn't dare do much scrapbooking with all the lifting and bending that can be involved with that...my photo boxes alone were too heavy...lol LOVE that you also choose "FLY" for your art canvas this week ;} And I love your blue background that you did for your art journal. I really enjoy art journaling because, unlike scrapbooking, it's for me and it doens't have to follow any rules...you just can't ruin anything! Have a wonderful week and take care of yourself. {hugs} Roberta

    ReplyDelete
  21. Silvia(Barnie)June 25, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Hallo Carola, schön zu lesen, dass du während deiner "Schonzeit" kreativ gewesen bist. Tolle Werke hast du gestaltet, herrliche Farben. Ganz besonders gut gefällt mir dein blaues Werk, das ist traumhaft schön geworden. Ich wünsche dir weitere gute Besserung und schicke liebe Grüße aus Deutschland.

    ReplyDelete
  22. pattyJune 25, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Carola, here is a direct quote from one of my powerpoints on creative expression: "In so-doing, we will not only enrich our own life immeasurably, but we will find ways to heal our wounds, alleviate suffering, connect with kindred spirits and, best of all, connect with the universe on a very deep level". I believe it!! And I LOVE the work you have here!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. CrystalJune 25, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    Love your mixed media work... The colors are fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  24. EVAJune 25, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Hope your creativity spurs your recovery! These are great!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Tammie LeeJune 25, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    lovely to see your cheerful art~

    ReplyDelete
  26. NancyJune 25, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Awww, these are such sweet little vignettes, Carola. So cute!

    Rest up and don't overdo. :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. shawnJune 25, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Cute Little bird!

    ReplyDelete
  28. DianaJune 25, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    So happy to see you're recovering nicely. Love all your work. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  29. CindyJune 25, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    The art is amazing...maybe those painkillers are helping keep that inner critic at bay! LOL! I had surgery a couple of years ago, and got a LOT of cross stitching done! I am glad you can recover in such a relaxing, creative way...

    Blessings on your healing journey!

    ReplyDelete
  30. MeeganJune 26, 2011 at 5:20 AM

    Lovely, especially the fish!! I hope your recovery goes smoothly!!

    I just had our second baby by c-section so I can relate to how painful any tummy surgery is. I've had gallbladder surgery as well as an earlier c-section & they were both rough. This time has been even worse than the other surgeries combined :(. I did get a wonderful little boy out of it though so I can't complain too much. I've posted pictures of our new little guy at my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Her SpeakJune 26, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Your pallets are so beautiful! Those orange fishies are totally doing it for me right now. :) Happy PPF!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Heather FoustJune 26, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    Your paintings are quite lovely. I love the colors! I hope you feel better. Isn't great that you can turn your recoup into a positive. Very good. Help you heal. I like that.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ginnie HartJune 26, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    You have clearly come out this side of surgery with flying colors, Carola. :) WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  34. MarcieJune 27, 2011 at 5:07 AM

    These are wonderful - especially love your journal page. And - it's great that you've found the silver lining to the dark cloud of recovery!!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. UnknownJune 28, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Just dropping by Carola to wish you well. Looks like your creativity is blooming while you are healing~ very fun pieces! best to you~

    ReplyDelete
  36. Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual DirectorJune 28, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    well what a lovely use of your down time; can't help but smile about hos that works in my life. Being still (or BEING FORCED TO BE STILL) does wonders for my spirit...

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    I hope you'll soon be on the mend. You're right about how much we use our stomach muscles without even thinking about it. I love these pieces - the mixed media works so well and the bird and fish are just so whimsical and colourful - lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  38. MollyJune 29, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Oh Carola --- I LOVE all three pieces! I am sure that the healing process is going slower than you would like - but I am glad that you are listening to doctor's orders and taking it easy.

    ReplyDelete
  39. SHERI COOKJune 30, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    LOVE all three submissions this week. Hope you feel LOTS better real soon. Belated HAPPY PPF!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. I'd love to hear from you!