A Little Bit of Art, a Lot of Healing

  Well, what a week it has been! I typically post to share my art and love of creating and don't get into health issues. However, this time I'll let you in on my current status. For several weeks now I have been trying to alleviate a flare up of my spondylosis and osteo -arthritis by taking OTC ibuprofen, applying moist heat, stretching , etc. And then overnight last week it worsened-terribly. Nothing gave me relief. My dr. wasn't in so I waited til the next morning and called. Thankfully she saw me despite a FULL schedule. When she saw me she understood. So, I am now on some heavy duty meds temporarily because I developed an acute flare up. She knows how I feel about taking meds but I also trust her implicitly-and to be honest, I would have taken anything for relief! I am also wearing a cervical collar to keep pressure off my neck. As of today, it's slowly getting better. Anyone who has either of these diagnoses can understand. I am very lucky though to only have a flare up once in awhile-and very rarely to this extent. It makes me feel even more empathetic for those who suffer more often. And it was killing me just as much not to be able to create. But I did manage to get a bit in. Earlier today I did a few quick sketches and finished a journal page, and it felt good!

 This one was sketched on watercolor paper using a Stabilo pencil and then gone over a bit with a wet brush. Looks like I was channeling Modigliani again:)

 

 The above two were quickly sketched very loosely on notebook paper with a pen. I have never done this before and have learned that it's really not so scary after all. This was a practice Christy Tomlinson suggested before creating her project in the Radiant Faces online class I'm taking. When I wasn't able to art I watched more of the class videos. Anyone taking this class? It is PACKED with vids, PDFs, painted faces projects, and detailed instruction! You can click on the link at the top on the sidebar for more info. Linking these sketches to Art It Friday-Show Your Face.

 This journal page was inspired by two art challenges for the month of May- Art Journal Journey (theme is "the sea"), and Mix It Monthly (theme is "a happy couple") :

  I forgot to take a pic of the original background but the page was covered with a deli paper gelli plate print. You can see the pattern in the seahorses. I drew the images on the page using a Pitt pen. I found the template online and then also made a reverse image. Then the remaining background was painted in with several colors of watered down blue and teal. Seaweed was painted in using a very small brush. Images were edged with charcoal pencil and smudged. Drew in hearts with a Signo uni-ball red pen. Wrote words with a  Faber Castell Pitt artist pen (big brush). It was the first time I used this pen and I love it!

 Linking also to Art Journal Every Day and Paint Party Friday.

 And for my T Stands for Tuesday friends ( I know, I did things a bit backwards this week:) -

 This was the dessert I made for Mother's Day. Although I don't eat much dessert I cannot resist a slice of homemade sponge cake topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. I make this fairly often for a dessert throughout summer because it is such a hit! Know why? Homemade whipped cream baby! It is so easy to make that I never buy whipped cream. And yes, I'm going to share the recipe (below) and do hope you give it a try.

 Thanks for stopping in for a visit and for your thoughtful comments. Here's to art and healing!

                    "Healing yourself is connected to healing with others."    Yoko Ono


                                                   Whipped (Chantilly) Cream

  2 Tbsp. cold water      1 tsp. unflavored gelatin     2 c. whipping cream      4 Tbsp. sugar

 Combine cold water and gelatin in glass measuring cup. Place cup in a saucepan of boiling water. Cook and stir 1 min. or until gelatin is completely dissolved. Beat whipping cream and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer while gradually drizzling the gelatin over. Beat well until stiff peaks form.
Note- the gelatin adds stability to the cream allowing it to stand up well in the summer.