The Big Sunflower River…outside my door…but so far away…
I fell on my treadmill last year, and being invincible, I thought it was nothing to worry about. I just chalked up the pain with walking, to not getting enough exercise; so I walked less and less each day, until the time came when just standing gave way to popping and locking and pains down my right leg. Well, anyone that has painted around me knows I stand to paint and I am very physical with my surface, so this was becoming annoying. I made an appointment, went in and after MRI’s (which were terribly unpleasant to put it mildly), several cool looking x-rays, they determined I needed to have a tear repaired via, arthroscopic surgery. Sounded okay, so I agreed. Surgery was a breeze, so much so, that I barely remember any of it at all, but this no weight on it; and dealing with crutches has had me rethinking this whole ordeal. I have been in a recliner for most of the last two weeks told not to sit upright past 90 degrees….which sounds benign but is quite the opposite. I have been through endless seasons of shows on Netflix( thank you Jesus for Netflix), but at this point I am sick of even the most entertaining shows.
I started crutching down to my studio. My thought was to just work on paper, since it was light weight and I might have no problem dealing with charcoal, graphite and paper.This was working quite well, I even managed a few liquid acrylics and watercolors on paper, so I told myself..you can work on some bigger things on boards, it just might take a bit longer. WRONG…I tried, and it was just too painful and too hard to balance on the good leg and manage the quarts of paint and brushes etc. I am going back to the work on paper for another week or so…
Here are the results of the paper chase:
Weight of Balance Resting Peace by CathyHegman
This is done on Terraskin paper (paper made of stones )(www.terraskin.com ) which has a very alluring surface. The surface is somewhat repellant of water and watermedia but also has a bit of tooth to grab the pigment out of the mixture. It has been a very entertaining surface to work on while I am limited out, on the “can and cannot do” at this point. I was happy at this point. Then the next day: Limitations of Fog by Cathy Hegman
This is the one I am currently working on; after I tried to work on the larger piece on board and failed so miserably. I think my work reflects my anger and frustration with all this limitation in my life with this piece. It is by no means finished, but I thought it was so odd how within 24 hours my demeanor had changed in my work. I have always known my work is 90 percent attitude, but this solidifies it for me. Long story short, hit that studio with the right attitude!
NOTE: Even though this one is so dark ,there is something so completely honest about it that I like. #findingsomethinggoodineverything. LOL
Take care,
Cathy Hegman
http://www.cathyhegman.com
*All artwork and text included in this blog is copyright protected by Cathy Hegman and should not be reproduced in any form or fashion or used without the written permission of Cathy Hegman. All text and artwork included in this blog are solely the thoughts and original art of the artist, Cathy Hegman, unless otherwise noted, and are meant only to be guidelines and thoughts for others to read.
Cathy Hegman Art and Life 
Sorry you still can’t work like you want to. I agree with the thoughts on the dark one… I REALLY like it…if you can just retain it’s finished/unfinished state with a surface you like, you have a winner.
Awww thanks Cheryl!!! I will do my best!
Bummer about your leg & I know you don’t want to stay put! I think this has pushed you to work a bit differently right now & isn’t that exciting! The loose, watery feel of the first one is very alluring and I really like the second as well–the unfinished character is so appealing, don’t let it push you to do much more to it. When I broke my ankle, I certainly could not work the way I had while I was recovering but I had a burst of creativity that expressed somewhat differently. It looks to me you are going thru much the same. Isn’t it fun though to be trying something new and pushing those limits?
Sending much love for a speedy, easy recovery. ❤
Thanks you Karen!! I know you of all ppl know what this is like! Yep, it would be much more fun if I did not have so many things coming due on my plate right now…but all in time…all in time…I hope it gives me more patience….I could use more of that! Thank you for you love and good wishes!!!
Ouch! I know you are not enjoying this new phase at all. Hope you are on your way to a speedy recovery! I’m going to be making a run over to RF tomorrow. Do you need me to pick up anything for you & drop it off on my way thru HB? I promise it would not be a bit of trouble & I’ll be more than happy to do it.
Kay you are so sweet! No, I will be in therapy for the hip tomorrow in Yazoo, so we will gather supplies while there. I really appreciate your thinking of me!! That means the world to me! Take care and drive safely!!
I always enjoy your artwork. I’m sorry for what you have been going through. Sometime we go through the “funky” period but that’s ok. Here’s to feeling better and the light shining on the other end. Happy Painting!
Thank you June! Yeah, this funky time just comes with the territory…getting older is not for the faint of heart!
Isn’t it just amazing what an injury and the pain from it can do to us and with us! I am so very sorry, Cathy, that you are experiencing pain and discomfort, but your work has not suffered one bit. I broke my back one year ago next Friday and am still struggling with getting the groove back. I still have some pain so can not stand for long and I paint mostly standing up as you do. I am just amazed that you are creating such beautiful work already, especially since you are experiencing such pain. I wish you relief and happy days soon, my friend. You are AWESOME!!
Patty, I know you have suffered for so long, mine is just a scratch compared to yours. I am so happy when you post a painting…it let’s me know you are doing well. I sure miss you being here, and I hope one day you will come back to Colony with us. You are such a strong support for me, and you never miss a chance to say kind things, you are a true blessing! Thank you my friend, and take care of yourself!!!!
Cathy,
I LOVED YOUR WORK FOR YEARS. I THINK THE FIRST TIME I SAW IT IN PERSON MAYBE THE ONLY TIME I SAW your work, WAS IN COLUMBIA, GEORGIA, AT THE SOUTHERN WATERCOLOR SOCIETY SHOW. I WAS TAKING A WORKSHOP FROM CHARLES REID.
SORRY THIS IS my IPAD. I HAVE NO REASON WHY IT IS IN ALL CAPS.
I LOVE YOUR WORK. I LOVE READING YOUR BLOG. I LOVE SEEING THE PICTURES OF YOUR WORK. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM IN PERSON. I AM SO ENTHRALLED.
I AM SO SORRY ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR DOG, ROCKO. I HAVE LOST SEVERAL DOGS ALL OF WHOM ARE MY HEART.. I AM VERY SAD ABOUT THAT. BUT, THEN LATER, I GET A NEW DOG. NOT A REPLACEMENT, THEY WRE ALL DIFFERENT. YOU NEVER FORGET THE DOGS that are gone . Their love is always there. Your love for them is always there.
your story’s as interesting. It ever happened to me, I sympathize , now standing on one leg with the crutch, trying to,paint as usual. It was interesting and thank you for that. I don’t know how you do it.
I think we are friends on Facebook, but I don’t really do Facebook except look at what comes across there. I don’t really interact with it mostly because I don’t know how.
I remember spending time in San Antonio Texas airport ( free SA Internet ) where I had some time on my hands waiting for my airplane and I had my iPad and thought I’m going to finally read all those blogs I want to read. And I think I read half of what you have on your blog page. Love the the information. I turned my art friends onto you. And they all love you and yor work as well. Sent from my iPad
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Oh, Barbara, you have made my day. I am so grateful to you for reading my blogs and for sharing it. You are so kind . I am always so glad to hear from a fellow animal lover…you and I seem to be on the same wavelength. Thank you again for making my day!! Cathy
Ahhhh, now I understand a little more. Being one of your newest fans, I’ve been looking at your work and I finally made my way to your most recent post. I hope you are improving while continuing to explore the depths of your work along the road to recovery.
Hope you’re feeling better by now. Sounds awful. Just wanted to pipe in here and say that I love that bottom image. So much is being communicated – I can feel it.