Have you been over to CreativeTherapy today? Catalyst 16 has been published and I hope you’ll take some ti
me to read about what we all did with this week’s catalyst! To the right is the picture I drew for this week’s catalyst. Click on the image to see a larger version at the site and to read the journaling that goes with it. In short, since it was over 110 degrees outside, I took a photo of our house and then drew it freehand using a Pigma Micron pen on 140# Cold Press Watercolor Paper. I colored it in with watercolor pencils.
I’ll also take this opportunity to say “Au revoir” to my faithful reader(s). I’ll be leaving for France tomorrow, I will not be bringing my laptop, so I’m not sure that I’ll get a chance to post from France. I also won’t be able to respond to your emails while I’m away, but I will be sure to share drawings and photos when I return!
I’ll be publishing additional Catalysts and, perhaps, some other posts while I am away. I’m setting these up to publish while I’m gone (fingers crossed that the technology will work!).
June 29th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, Creative Therapy, art, drawing |
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I can’t believe it’s almost here! Monday we leave for France! I’ve had a mixture of feelings about this trip - anxiety about being in a strange country and with limited knowledge of the language; excitement at the idea of seeing France; trepidation about the flight, since I don’t know how it will affect my balance and my health. But, above all this I am looking forward to time alone with my husband. Yes, we will see friends and colleagues, since Dave is presenting his research during our visit, but much of our time will be spent in the romance of France.
Yesterday I spent the morning with Angie since I won’t see her for a while. She came over and worked on some beading while Max sat in the den and watched the Cartoon network. Max is now obsessed with arm wrestling, and tries really hard when we arm wrestle. I promised him that when I get back we’ll have a rematch!
After Angie left, I decided it was time to start organizing all my “stuff” for the trip. I packed most of the carry-on, making sure I had my quart-sized baggie with all tiny bottles that will fit in it. I packed a few small cases filled with the essentials for the flight. FIrst is an audio case for my audio adapter for the Baha and my iPod. I’m using my Palm Centro as an ebook reader, so I have plenty to read and no bulky books or magazines. I also packed some comfort stuff: special protein bars, tissues, some mints, including all my medications in their original bottles (to prove I have prescriptions for them). I also had to make sure that I had a way of expressing my allergies to the chefs in France - they love their dairy and poultry there, and I’m severely allergic to both, among other things. So, I found a company online, Allergy Translation, that creates custom cards for you to carry in English and the language of your choice! I did this a few weeks ago, since I didn’t know how quickly the process would work. Well, it’s almost immediate! So, I printed out a bunch of cards (this way I won’t panic when I don’t get one back from the kitchen!) and laminated them and put them in my travel wallet. I also made sure that my MedicAlert account was up to date with all my medications and allergies. I’ll be wearing my MedicAlert bracelet on the trip, so if there is an emergency, there will be an easy way to get information.
All that’s really left is for me to pick up some soy protein packs and to finish packing, and to wait for Monday! My art supplies are packed in my day pack, along with my folding cane. I bought some hook and loop tape to make sure that my basket stays on my walker, and it appears to be working. I’ll test it today by adding something to the basket to see whether it holds. And, have the list of things I still need to add and later today, I’ll pack my clothes.
Once I got the carry-on all figured out, I decided to turn my attention to my small travel journal for the trip. It’s a green square handbook journal
. The cover is made of canvas board, and the size is great. But it needed something to make it “mine”. I looked at my pile of collage crap somewhat organized e
phemera and I found text about France, in French, maps of France, and some travel stickers. I had been hoarding saving these things for a special project (no, there was no particular project in mind when I came across these things!).
Well, there isn’t anything more special than our trip to France! So, I began by pasting in the map of France. Then I added some quad paper for some tables (what I did today, travel itinerary, etc.) and to add whatever I wanted to those pages. Then I added some ink to age the pages. It was the last thing I did before turning in for the evening. I was feeling excited, but I knew that there was something missing. The colors were too dull for all the energy I feel about this trip. So, this morning, I added some warm colors - yellows, oranges, reds. Now it looks a lot more like me! It’s all ready for the trip!
I’ll try to post more before I leave, but while I’m gone, my CreativeTherapy Catalyst responses will publish! Have an awesome weekend!
June 27th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, art, health, journaling, life, living with chronic illness, travel |
2 comments
Today I decided to sit in the studio. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I was getting sick of the den and I needed to be back in the studio, with all my creative “stuff”. I thought I’d just clear my desk and sit and draw, but then I talked with Angie and she was talking about her painting from the weekend workshop with DJ Pettitt and Deryn Mentock. I decided I’d paint today! I set up my table easel (which is really a folding editor’s desk that I got back when I was editing!) and pulled out my paints and paintbrushes.
I had come across an image in a magazine. The woman’s face showed that she had lived a difficult life. She was very sad and her face has stuck with me for a few weeks now. So, I knew that I wanted to use that image as a jumping off point.
And a jumping off point, it was. It’s not at all like the photo, with the exception of the facial expression and shape of the features. And that’s fine. I’m not a painter who paints things realistically. That’s what photos are for! I like to get a sense of them, so I’m happy with this. The completed painting is to the left. though there may be some fine tuning tomorrow morning after it’s set for the night. And there is a close-up of the face is to the right.
Have a great day!
June 23rd, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, acrylic, art, painting |
3 comments
Well, as usual, I’m completely wiped out from treatment. I woke this morning groggy, but I felt good for about an hour and a half. Then the fatigue smacked me down. So, here I sit, in front of the TV on the den couch with my MacBook. Yesterday I was ok for a short time in the morning and then I took several short naps and one 3-hour-long nap. I suppose by now I should be used to it and I shouldn’t be surprised by the level of fatigue I feel. But I’m an optimist, so I always hope that it isn’t going to be as bad this time. Add to that the additional side-effects of the medication that I’ve been noticing more - hair loss being the one that bugs me the most. Vanity, I suppose… 
Today is Sunday, which means that the catalyst for CreativeTherapy is posted on the blog with our design team submissions. This week’s catalyst is “What’s your happiest memory?” I do hope you take a moment to go visit and learn what is behind the picture to the left. Unlike my usual drawings which ar done with some sort of source image as the basis, this one was done from memory. And, I hope you’ll participate with your own response to this week’s catalyst. Take a look!
June 22nd, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, Creative Therapy, art, drawing, health, living with chronic illness, watercolor |
2 comments
We’ve officially reached the 10-day countdown to our trip! Woo!
So, right now I’m at home getting my monthly IV my treatment so I can be “ready” for the trip with my balance, hopefully, AOK!
This week I did the usual running around to get as much done as possible before my treatment, since I never know how it will affect my energy levels. I’ve also been working on the next few CreativeTherapy catalysts. I’m planning to set up some posts with my CreativeTherapy responses to publish while I’m gone. I hope it will work! I just have one more to do and then I’m covered for our trip.
I’ve still been exercising and I’m feeling pretty strong. Yesterday I went to do some volunteer work for Cochlear about the Baha. This was to meet some of the audiologists in the area and to show them that we’re available to share our experiences with potential implant recipients. I love to share my story, since the Baha has made such a difference in my quality of life! We all met for lunch at the beautiful Vu Cafe in Fountain Hills. I had never been there before, and it was small, but lovely. It overlooks the Fountain Hills Golf Course, which is beautiful. And, of course, since we’re in the Valley, there are always mountains in the view, too!
Since we’re having temperatures over 100 degrees each day this week, I’ve been careful to stay inside and to manage my energy. And, I’m getting more and more excited about our trip! I’ve found that I had some success with Rosetta Stone, but it was difficult to use for me because of my hearing loss in my left ear. However, I did find a less expensive substitute: I’ve been learning French with Coffeebreak French, a free podcast. I went ahead and paid the small fee to get the printed lesson guides and extra lesson information. It has been very good to learn and it is quite a practical learning guide. They teach some good conversational French, which is what we need for our trip! I highly recommend it if you’re interested in learning French.
So that’s my update for this week. Not much going on art-wise. I have done some doodling and some work on the catalysts, but I won’t show them until they’re published on the CreativeTherapy blog on the appropriate Sundays.
June 20th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
health, living with chronic illness, travel |
one comment
Today Catalyst 14 of CreativeTherapy was published along with the design team’s response. Take a look at the link for today’s responses.
To the right is the page I created. To read my journaling, click on the picture and it will take you to the page with the current catalyst.
Don’t forget to participate and post your link for an opportunity to win a paper crafting RAK!
June 15th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Uncategorized |
2 comments
Thank you all for your kind notes and thoughts over the past few days. They mean a lot.
I spent Wednesday with Angie and her son Max. Max came over to swim and Angie and I got to do some artwork. I was not quite up for doing much, so I just doodled in my journal. Nothing to show, as the page is not finished, but it was a good way to pass the day and Angie let me tell stories about Aunt Millie. She is so fondly remembered by all who knew her.
I’m feeling creative again, so there is finally some art to share!
This week I made a few cases for our trip. To the right you see the first one. This one is a case for a DVD/MP3 player that Dave and I can watch movies on. Since we’re already bringing our iPods, it made sense to have a player that we could share the movies while on the plane and in France. It has a hook and loop closure so the player is safe.
The second is a pencil and pen case that fits perfectly into my daypack and my purse (so it can be used after the trip!). It fits all my Albrecht Durer pencils and Pigma Microns for the trip. I can even fit a tape runner in there
for ephemera I pick up along the way.
Today I picked up some magazines I had been hoarding saving as collage or source photo material. I found a great photo of a mother and baby elephant and I just needed to draw it. Every time I looked at it, I smiled, and I needed some smiling! So, I drew the picture to the right with my Pigma Micron and colored it in with my Albrecht Durer pencils. It was a good way to start the day.
When I finished the drawing, I went to exercise and then I went out for a while. I had to just get out of the house for a while, since next week is my treatment again. In addition, I have a volunteer commitment next week. I figured it was a good time to do some window shopping and a short trip out of the house. It was good to get out of the house and just have a change of scenery.
That’s the update from here! Now to do some more of the CreativeTherapy catalysts for when I’m away!
June 13th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
art, drawing, fabric, friends, pouches, sewing, watercolor |
2 comments
It’s taken me a while to write this entry. This morning I received a call from my Aunt Ann that my Aunt Millie (”Millie from Philly”) passed away last night. Aunt Millie was over 85 years young and had lived a very full life. She traveled all over the world and soaked in life. In the past few years, Aunt Millie was plagued by pulmonary disease. She had survived breast cancer and colon cancer. She lived her life to the fullest and she made so many people happy. I was among them. She was truly a special lady.
In the past few months, Aunt Millie had been in pain, though she told only a few people. She hid it from me, though she did not hide that she was missing the quality of her life and that she was very tired. She could no longer leave the apartment alone and this forced her to be less social. For a very social person, this was a blow. We shared coping strategies for conserving energy and living with chronic illness.
I know she’s no longer suffering and that’s what I remind myself every time the waves of sadness come. I’ve allowed myself to smile remembering her in younger days when, over 20 years ago, I spent all vacations and holidays with her. Millie was a unique woman, with friends everywhere she went. It was a blessing to have her in my life. My grandmother knew what she was dong when she left us to her. The world is a better place for having Millie as a part of it and my life has been richer from having her in it.
You will be remembered and greatly missed, Aunt Millie.
June 10th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
family, life |
2 comments
Have you stopped by CreativeTherapy yet today?
No? Well, get over there to see some of the fabulous artwork for this week’s catalyst! I hinted that I participated this week, and the image is to the right. To learn about the story behind it, you’ll have to go to the CreativeTherapy blog!
Stop by and check it out! If you participate and post a link in the comments at CreativeTherapy, you’ll be in the drawing for this week’s RAK! Jump in now! Can’t make the Wednesday deadline? And, be sure to join our Flickr group, too!
June 9th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Therapy, art, art challenge, journaling |
3 comments
There is really not much to report here. No art to share…
The good news is that I’m feeling well. I’m exercising regularly, making sure I’m ready for all the walking we’ll do in France. And, happily, I’m also finally shedding some of the pounds and inches that have been bugging me for a while. I’m also sleeping better, which has always been a by-product of regular exercise for me. Though, to be honest, I’m happiest when I try on a top or pair of shorts that are loose, where they either were a bit tight or are fit perfectly. I bought two new pairs of shorts in April and both are a bit loose. I couldn’t be more pleased!
I’ve been practicing my French, though I am sure I will not be near fluent in it. I can translate the jist of the written word, but hearing the words and understanding them is a challenge. Even with the Baha, it’s still an issue with my hearing. It’s one thing to listen to English and to understand because I can make a few good guesses to figure out the words by the context and with the clues of the sounds. With French, it’s going to be a challenge. I suppose it will just add to the excitement of the visit. At least, that’s what I hope!
I’ve been doing some art, but I have not been inspired to do anything in particular. It’s too hot out and the ozone warnings are too high for me to just go and sit and draw. I am working on a painting that I started a year ago that I finally had the courage to start working on again… You know how it is: You get to a point in it and you’re afraid you’ll ruin it. Well, I’m done with worrying. I just dove in. I don’t have a clear vision of where it’s going, but I’m letting it flow. It’s how I prefer to work, anyway. I’ll try to post a photo of it in-process later this week. It’s different for me.
In addition, I do have my CreativeTherapy catalysts to work on and I’ve been doing that. Tonight there will be a catalyst posted along with the artwork from the team, so that’s something for you to check out later today. I’m trying to get the next month’s done in the next two weeks, since I’ll be gone for three of them and then I am sure I’ll have the usual post-travel fatigue.
I’ve also been doing a lot of reading. I just finished reading The Other Boleyn Girl which was quite intriguing. I studied English and American Literature in college and along with it learned a lot about British history. This series by Philippa Gregory has me hooked! I’m now reading the book that came before it, The Constant Princess, which is the story of Katherine of Aragon. I’ve always liked historical fiction, so it makes me happy to read a series like this that attempts to get into the minds of the women who were a part of the history. I know how women were used to build alliances, improve a family’s station in life, etc. It’s quite interesting to read these from the woman’s perspective and to see how the author really makes them heroes for what they did, rather than as subservient pawns in the game. The author shows them as women with ambition, as well.
Dave has been on call this week, so it’s been a hectic week for him. It used to be that June and July were quieter in Phoenix because the Winter Visitors (snowbirds) would head north. Not so this summer. It seems as busy as it was in the winter. But we’re doing fine with it. Unfortunately, Friday evening, my MIL called that my FIL was having some tachycardia again. His pulse was at 150. This is the second time in a month that this has happened. When she called, she had already called 911 and the ambulance was on the way. Dave went and met them at the hospital. Luckily, his heart reverted to its normal rhythm and Dave drove them home. He got in at around 2 am on Saturday morning. Poor guy was tired all day.
So now Dave is rounding at the hospital and will call when he’s headed home. I’m going to have a protein shake and then exercise. When Dave calls, I’ll be ready to go. We’ll go to visit his parents and have lunch with them and see how they’re faring. I hope you all have an awesome Sunday!
June 8th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, Creative Therapy, books, family, living with chronic illness, painting |
3 comments
