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.

39 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

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

Victoria said...

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

Micki Wilde said...

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

Friko said...

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!

Anna said...

get well soon!

Netty said...

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

Sadee Schilling said...

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

wednesday said...

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

Maria Ontiveros said...

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

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

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! :)

Anonymous said...

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

Paula - Buenos Aires said...

~Quick healing thoughts for you~
Lovely canvases.

Anonymous said...

beautiful as always,,

Anonymous said...

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. :-)

Chantal said...

and creative you sure have been

foxysue said...

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

Hybrid J said...

The texture and details are so interesting. Well Done!

helena said...

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

sil said...

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

Roberta said...

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

Silvia(Barnie) said...

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.

patty said...

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!!!

Crystal said...

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

EVA said...

Hope your creativity spurs your recovery! These are great!

Tammie Lee said...

lovely to see your cheerful art~

Nancy said...

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

Rest up and don't overdo. :)

shawn said...

Cute Little bird!

Diana said...

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

Cindy said...

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!

Meegan said...

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.

Her Speak said...

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

Heather Foust said...

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.

Ginnie Hart said...

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

Marcie said...

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!!!

Unknown said...

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

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

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...

Anonymous said...

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.

Molly said...

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.

SHERI COOK said...

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