This is one of the drawings that I’ve been slowly working on as of late. I started it a few years ago, but my fleeting interests and endless new inspirations for artwork meant that it got put aside and forgotten about for a while. I apologize for the low quality and blur: the picture was taken on a very old phone.
The reference that I used for this drawing is a stunning photograph by the incredible Sandra Jolly at www.sandrajolly.com. Please do check out her work!
As I’ve mentioned before on here, I love drawing. It has been—and will continue to be—one of the most productive and meaningful ways that I’ve had of coping with my disorder and the adversities that come with it.
Frustratingly, as I’ve gotten sicker it has gradually become a very slow and difficult process as I can no longer do it for very long, or very often. Previously this was primarily due to my chronic pain, but now my eyes—and the effect their various conditions have on my vision—have increasingly become another hindrance.
I worry for the day that I lose this outlet altogether: the day when my vision may be so bad that I can no longer see well enough to draw at all, or when my fingers have become so unstable that they can no longer hold a pencil. Writing has always been my other major coping aid, and these things have equally been impacting my ability to do that as well.
But, despite the frustration of such slow bursts of productivity with my art and writing, I can still do both sometimes, and for that I’m so incredibly grateful.
– Katie
First off, your talent is incredible!!!
I understand you completely… dancing was my passion and I had to stop. Except a few steps here and there at home which can’t compare, my condition stopped me.
I also used to play piano. I recently had to stop that too. Way too painful and it was creating injury.
I started playing drums instead… I can’t play a lot or often but I love it and it makes me happy when I can!
… I am also scared to lose the function I have now, I try not to think about it. Hang in there!
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I’m sorry that you’re experiencing the same things. We definitely learn to adjust our passions as we must: though, losing my original outlets definitely made way for the room I ended up with for drawing and writing! So, it wasn’t all a loss.
I do my best not to think of it as well, though the pain can be an unwanted alarm, signalling it whenever I’ve started to forget.
But, we carry on, don’t we. :)
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