Pink Fish
In 2012, through an odd series of “coincidences”, I took a painting class from Flora Bowley.
A very good friend at that time, tricked me into signing up for Flora’s eclass. I was very sick with fibro, lyme and CFS. I had been in bed for over 20 years.
I was kind of doing art. But I was just too sick to do much. Making a phone call overwhelmed me. Trying to be creative was impossible.
Then, I discovered the computer app I now use, Painter. At that same exact time, Flora came into my life with her philosophy of life and art. I had a positive outlook on life, but it had never occurred to me to apply that to my art. Duh!
Flora has shared stories of her students in her blog. This week, she chose my story.
Click here to read the blog. While you’re there, check out her fantastic art and be sure to check out her classes. Be sure to click on “Shop” at the top. She has fantastic products made from her art for sale. Flora’s art or her classes make fabulous Christmas gifts.
I have a very exciting update to the story on Flora’s blog. I have gotten out of bed in the last month and am sitting up. Best of all, I’m sitting up in MY STUDIO. Since 1994, I have kept a tiny little light on in my studio. Hoping and praying that somehow, some way, I would find my way back there.
I did.
While we were recently in Maui for five weeks, I totally focused on sitting up all day. I had a choice, lay in a dark bedroom all day, or sit on the lanai with my laptop and paint while l listened to the waves and smelled the tropical breeze. Hmm. Not much choice there.
There were no other kinds of input to drain my energy. No interruptions of everyday life. I was able to just focus on breathing and being vertical. It has been hard, harder since I got home. But most days, I’m doing it.
I am so thankful to God for allowing me to heal. So many people do not get this opportunity. I’m a long way from well. But I have a life. I can go out and do things with Warren. I can do art again. I am just very grateful for all I have.
The art is a fish from a larger painting that you can see here.
Kerry C. Mitchell's Adventures 
This is exciting. Healing and being able to be who you are and create beautiful art. Love the fish.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Elizabeth.
LikeLike
Love the image and saw your blog over at Flora Bowley – nice post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Syd. I’m very excited by this.
LikeLike
Very nice–and I loved seeing your artwork displayed within the Tuesday Tribe story.
/c
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carole. This was a big deal for me.
LikeLike
Thank you again for sharing this I had a read of her site and congrats for being featured 🙂 I think you told me before but I cannot remember what online programme do you use for your art? X
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to say it more often what I use to paint with. It is called Painter, made by Corel. I’m working on giving more information about how Painter works. Corel is very stingy with their help files. So it’s left up to the users to educate each other.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ah i am going to look at Corel for their photography but i had heard they do the art side aswell, that is wonderful a shame thought that they don’t tutor more, its great to have an easy system to use x
LikeLike
Painter is anything but easy. But the other side to that is that it is so complex because it does so much. I started with their product, Paint Shop Pro, which was much easier. Then I moved onto Painter. It’s been a steep learning curve, but I just keep at it. After two years and many classes from wonderful, sharing, people, I’m starting to get it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
sounds amazing, i am tempted, i have a trial of lightroom for photography which i need to master first before my alloted time runs out x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lightroom is great for organizing photos. I’m just learning it. I’ve been watching videos to figure it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I thought i relied to this but it shows I didnt, bleh, do you watch you tube for this then? x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. You Tube. But I lost the link. Actually, I think it was through the Adobe web site and maybe Adobe TV or something like that where I saw it. Go to adobe, lightroom, and look for tutorials there. Let me know if you need more help. Maybe it was this link. http://kelbyone.com/cc-resources/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I will enjoy taking a loko youve been really helpful Kerry, huggles x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately I think you have to be a paid member to access this, I will certainly think about that if I do sign up to lightroom xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I replied once with comments. I hope you got the last links. I think this is the ONE. https://forums.adobe.com/people/Michael+Salinero
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you, I have pulled it up and will be definitely taking a look at it xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your a brave brave and strong woman I am so proud of your determination. The bit about the small light really tugged at my heart gosh I am thrilled your upright and ice always loved your art x
LikeLike
Oh, thank you so much. I love getting such good comments about my art. I guess I am a strong woman and brave. It’s always hard to think of myself that way, but it’s true. I’ve always seen myself as a loudmouth, which I was. But that loudmouth tempered herself into who I am today. Thanks for the encouragement. It means a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ah we have to morph when life throws us some curveballs, I know I have, my eyes have been opened due to my chronic pain issues, it’s trying to find something, sometimes out of nothing, but one can and you have done so in a tremendous way x
LikeLike
Thanks for your comment. You are so right, we morph or we don’t survive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
exactly, some have to morph more than others, its ceratinly a journey x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! Lovely story and keep creating! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Dina. I will keep creating. It’s like I don’t have a choice. I am driven to do art.
LikeLike