Living and Working with Arachnoiditis brings new meaning to the phrase “under the weather”.  Not since the Texas drought of the Summer of 1993 have I been so tuned in to the weather as I have since the onset of arachnoiditis (2007). I have mostly-accepted that my body now resides, in perpetuity, under the pronounced, powerful influence and control of the Weather. No telling when a “Flare” like the one I have been having since the day after Halloween will occur but, chances are; the Weather IS and WILL BE a factor.

The WEATHER-FUL ones are the days it is most important to “Go Slowly, Rest, Be Gentle, Forgive, and Hope”. Now, more than ever, I am aware that “Nature Knows” and can help me if I am willing to listen. ART is a frequently fulfilling distraction. The Survivors know it takes a lot of heart to get up and face the day with Chronic Pain…especially, when it is frequently severe chronic nerve pain accompanied by its numerous consequential companions.

Tiny (a.k.a. manageable) projects like these doodles (especially when done daily) remind me that “The Groove Is In the Heart“. [Don’t ask …I have NO IDEA why this song has been stuck in my head for two days.]

No other person, place, or thing can FIX my life. I couldn’t ask for another…. person to take this on For Me. It is my job to find satisfaction in my life. For me, the arts and nature pave the path to satisfaction.

My heart sings when I remember to care for it no matter what arachnoiditis has to say about it. So, I adapt to give it what it needs.

On the really tough days I practically LIVE here. Although I have worked out a grid system for drawing 16″ x 20″ portraits this way; small projects like the Medicine Ball Series, Spirograph Projects, and Mandalas are so easy to do this way.

I work in  30 minute intervals to move around and restore my circulation but, without this cot; I would be non-productive and stuck on horizontal in my bed. I also have standing and sitting work stations in the studio which allow me to change positions often. This is not to say that I don’t EVER have days in which BED is my only friend. I do. Working this way seems to reduce the number of those days and give me back some control and choice over the manner in which I will be Under The Weather.

Art Every Day is a Way of Life For Me. Art + Adaptability = Healing.

The Rest of the Art Every Day Month Series of Posts are  Here 

NOTES FROM AEDM 2015 DAY 1

I have decided to participate in Leah Piken Kolidas’ Art Every Day Month Challenge atCreative Every Day during the Month of November. For the first time, as I do this 30 day challenge, I will be posting my progress HERE for arachnoiditis survivors and advocates.

I hope you will join me for this creative journey. If you are an Arachnoiditis Survivor creating any art during the series that you would like to share with The Art For Arachnoiditis Project feel free to do so in the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook page, share links in the comments below, or submit the work for use in YEAR 2 of the Survivors’ Art Exhibit. (Accepting Entries until Feb 15, 2016.) Although the Art By Survivors’ exhibit is open only to the Survivors; other creative minded individuals are invited to share in all of the other places.

SUBSCRIBE to get the quarterly Art For Arachnoiditis Project Newsletter

WATCH VIDEO FROM OUR 2015 SURVIVORS’ ART EXHIBIT HERE

SHOP Awareness Art,Your purchase will benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Projects at the studio. These fair market prices are not tax-deductible purchases.or Make a tax-deductible contribution via our Fiscal Sponsor,  NYFA [New York Foundation for the Arts] Or by check payable to the New York Foundation for the Arts, Memo: The Art For Arachnoiditis Project mailed to: SheilaLynnK Art Studio, 345 South Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895.

To submit original art to this catalog to benefit the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Awareness Efforts. Send submissions with your signed Art In-Kind Form to sheilalynnk@yahoo.com subject line: Add My Art

This is the first time I will be doing daily art for The Art For Arachnoiditis Project. If you have never seen these posts before; you can get a better idea of what this is all about by checking out a A Few of my Similar Month-long Projects/Posts/Series from the Past.