Bring the joy in!
(final version)
Acrylic on canvas
16 x 20 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015
dance your head off for me please. I hurt
my right knee badly one year ago, tense about
a relative who'd been in hospital that day,
very cold -- 30 below zero Celsius, and a
massive biting wind -- my knee snapped!
Should this happen to you, don't get on
your friend's treadmill (I did, really bad idea),
and don't pay attention to emergency room
doctors who say it's nothing. Pain counts.
It is a big something.
Months of medical chats, and my own
research eventually got to the reason
-- a torn meniscus, torn ligaments, and by
then 6 months later -- the same damage in
the other knee, just from the stress of the
first injuries.
As for art, I kept on going. In fact I
travelled more for art in 2015 than ever
before in my life (New York, Paris, New York,
Florence, Paris). And in July, after two
MRI's, saw a surgeon who said I was doing a
great job (apparently going to gorgeous European
cities, and New York helped), and I will be all better
in 1 1/2 years. Now that it's January, that's just
under a year away.
Now I can dance again (sort of), walk a distance with
lots of breaks to sit down, and do most of
what I did before. Stairs are still a problem.
But worst of all I can't jump (yet), (and I love jumping).
So if you've read this far put your hands in the air
and jump for me.
Santa Maria Novella
one of the exquisite churches I saw in Florence
when I showed at the 2015 Florence Biennale
You can get there by taxi, if walking is
a problem. ;-)
Do it and enjoy that wonderful feeling oflift off! (You're right, that's probably why
I went on so many planes this year and loved
being way up in the air.) In fact if you caught
this via Facebook, send me a photo of you
jumping. That will make me so happy.
Have a going for the jump day.
Oh, how painful that injury must have been for you Barbara. Sorry to hear it has been such a long road to recovery for you.
ReplyDeleteLove this painting - just gorgeous!
I hope you are jumping again very soon!
I'm totally seduced by your use of colour. For that reason alone I'll consent to do a perfect quarter inch jette off the ground while holding my beloved 30-odd-year old sable, kolinsky brush, on your behalf. I can feel my spirits lift and mood lighten already.
ReplyDeletexo, Marcia
Hi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteYes it was, and the work to get an accurate diagnosis
took 6 months! However the surgeon I met at Toronto Western
Hospital was great and I started walking and feeling so
hopeful after seeing him -- and no surgery! Glad you like
the painting, I am really enjoying your book. So inspiring.
Just quit a novel to read it, and I always finish one book
at a time. I was looking for something with energy and
drive and yours is riveting.
XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara
Hi Marcia,
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to be more impressed by -- your perfect quarter
inch jette, or the fact that your brush is 30 years old, whatever
the material and brand! My brushes are jealous. They are notoriously
badly treated. Glad you like my colour and you have lightened
my spirits immensely.
XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara
I'm so thrilled to hear that you are enjoying my book so much Barbara!
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteYes I am. I'm trying to tear myself away from it to
paint! You are such an amazing person. It's wonderful
reading a book about someone I already consider a friend.
Awesome.
XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara
Kicking up my heels for you!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Please send me a picture! That would be lovely.
Love all of your work. I am always so delighted to see your
paintings. Thank you!
XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara
Holy cow, I did not realize your knee was so busted-up. Your painting is beautiful. I sort of know what you mean about jumping - I keep a skipping rope in my studio, it's a great way to take a break, warm up, get the blood pumping. I did jump for you without the rope and it felt very fine. One year and hopefully you'll be jumping again yourself!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
:)
V
Hi Verna,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the jump (I would love a photo of that!) (Please). From all the people who've written in with damaged knees, I'm not sure I'll get back to the jump,
but oh boy the urge is there.
Yes I really hurt both of my knees, but they are for the most part
healing slowly.
I love the work you've been doing. So inspiring.
XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara