Eye problems again, went to an ENT

And have set up a neuro-opthalmologist appointment for Wednesday which I may not need.

The ENT Specialist noted that my nasal cavity is very inflamed and eye problems as I'm describing can be caused by a deep sinus infection or absess in one of the sinuses so I'm going for a CAT scan to determine if one of those is the cause.  Until then, though, I'll impart his recommendation to any nasal sinus sufferers that he recommended sinus flushes such as the Netti Pot.  I use a steroid spray and his recommendation is to separate the two treatments out and do one of those treatments in the morning and one at night (either or).  Makes sense to me and I told him that's what I've been doing. 

OK, so gotta get off the computer as eyes are going.  Oddly, making art isn't usually a problem for me.  I think it's to do with the angle of the eyes (i'm more likely to be looking downward while painting, etc., and looking ahead in computer work and driving -- yes, they occasionally go wonky when I'm at the steering wheel too.) 

I'll be damn glad to get this friggin thing resolved, that's all I know.

Later, gators.

Anniversary of the Iraq War

Wow, hard to believe such a defining moment in my life passed by and I almost forgot about it!  I say defining because as my bio hints, I was a Blue Star mother six times over as my sons - Marine and Soldier - were deployed to Iraq or other war zones in the Middle East.  And my oldest, Kris-the-Marine infantryman, was there for the invasion.  And I made the mistake of becoming way too invested in knowing what was going on.

I was still in college, majoring in Journalism, and had access to all sorts of investigative tools and made it my business to learn all I could about what the U.S. would be up against, what the Marines would be in for.  And I learned the embedded reporters names and when they would file reports, I'd download the transcripts and parse them, sharing them with a few other parents of fellow Marines in Kris' unit.  After that first deployment, I learned.  I learned to detach and accept that no matter what I knew, it would never change things, so for the most part, during Kris' following deployments, I took on the ignorance is bliss mindset. Notso with Pete, my baby.  He'd cringe to hear me say that but I don't think he reads this, so, it's OK.  It was different with him, an armored infantryman.  I wasn't as obsessive about the news as I'd been during that first deployment, but I did set up a google alert "Anbar Province" where he was deployed. 

The thing is, I'm just one of many military families radically effected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  And I'm going on record to say we should never have invaded Iraq, but kept our resources and focus on Afghanistan, providing breathing room to the new government instead of allowing the weeds of radical Taliban renew and retake most of the country as they did.   For a while I was loud, vocal and critical but, like worry, realized it wouldn't get me anywhere. 

So I learned to paint to take my mind off it and to focus on something more life-affirming and positive instead.  And today was a splendid day of painting and creating.  Still, I can't help but be disheartened when I think about the trillions of dollars our country has wasted - yes, wasted (in economics, one learns there are good expenditures and bad - war is one of the most wasteful of all) - on these wars.  Fortunately, my sons came home from war and after some tough times, they're doing pretty well and I'm very proud of both.  Other families, though, are not so fortunate.

Grief Bubbles and Psalms for Sendai

From my post of earlier today, you may have read how moved I've been by the earthquake and devastation in Japan over the past few days.  When I first heard the news, something my brother said stuck with me.  He was posted in Japan twice over the past several decades as a career diplomat and knows the culture very well.  He said the Japanese as a nation celebrate the Cherry blossoms when they arrive not only for the breathtaking beauty of the display, but because of what they symbolize:  the transience of life.

As an artist, I sometimes HAVE NO CHOICE but to process emotional events and occasions.   Often I write. Today, I had to paint.  I bring you "Psalms for Sendai." And yes, this is not just a sweet little picture.  It's loaded with hit-you-over-the-head intentional symbolism which is not subtle at all, sorry about that!

As for the term "grief bubbles" in the title, I borrowed that from a new twitter friend / lovely artist who occasionally tweets about grief bubbles floating up into the great beyond in remembrance while releasing the pain.  I thought it was such a lovely way to express it, I had to borrow it for this post's title.

In closing, even though I've processed some of the sadness that's enveloped me since Friday, I still feel a well of tears inside for the lost and suffering there on the other side of the planet.  My heart aches for those people and for that lovely country I've yet to visit. Still, I draw some consolation, remembering the cherry blossoms that are just about to bloom.

Hurting so for Japan, but painting too

Paris, Je T'aime

I have been watching way too much coverage of the triple disaster in Japan, moved so deeply by the suffering these wonderful people are experiencing right now.   Yesterday I'd had enough and turned my attention to  some works that were incomplete, including these two that I just love.  Homage to romance, by way of the City of Lights.

"French Postcard Love" 

Harpeth Hall's Green Show Reception: Great event, great turnout, great Art!

From 3 to 5 p.m. yesterday Harpeth Hall, the elite all-girls prepatory school in Nashville that's turned out famous alum Amy Grant, Reese Witherspoon and others, hosted an artist reception for its annual fundraising art show, this year designed around all things "Green."

In previous posts, you can read about my experimentation in coming up with all-natural home-brewed paints which I used like watercolors in my submission "A Walk in the Park."  Artist Kelly Roe took the green theme completely to heart with her Best in Show works "React, Reuse, Renew" which were made from lint! 

I was thrilled that several of my fellow painting friends came out and through my mentor and longtime Nashville artist / lifetime Tennessee Art League member Barbara Rembert, I met several other TAL members too, many who had works in the show.

Speaking of works in the show, here're my fellow artists that exhibited.  Congrats all and know I'm honored to be among your ranks!

Denise Hawkins, Pam Haile, Janet Kozachek, Judy Klich, Lilo Regen, Cynthia Crook, Susan Simons, Samuel Fee, Thalia Kahl, Noriko Register, John Nordell, Shirley Fachilla, Pat Snyder, Vicki Kessler and Donna Kjonnas, Beth Seiters, Gary Young, Beverly Ford Evans, Mike Martino, Anne Labovitz, Arunima Orr, Christine Eagon, Elizabeth Brandon, Nancy Bradford, Kathleen Sparkman, Brenda Morley and Rita Maggart. 

Finally, I'm adding one whimsical image below with a brief explanation.  Hubby's from England and included with a Christmas parcel his kids sent us this year were these wind up "Racing Royals."  The pair have developed a loyal following on David's facebook, so of course, they had to join us for the show.  And since we got there early enough, noone was the wiser when we snapped this shot of them enjoying the Moesse work of art!

The all-important studio to coffeepot measurement!

As I was putting on a pot of java to brew, I realized how lucky I am to have a studio where I can create and - more importantly - not have to move things, pick up and put away because it's a dual space.  Most of my fellow CANN members are not so lucky and I feel for them and all out there who don't have a studio of one's own.

My eyes remain wonky at times although I went back to the eye doctor for a checkup.  He told me I've been doing the eye exercises wrong, so I'm working on doing them better.  We'll see.  If no improvement, it's onto a neuro or ENT specialist, I think.  So this blogpost is more links than direct info, mea culpa...


Anyway, back to the home studio theme of today's blog.  I decided to put in some research and found a few interesting links, below, that might offer advice for those considering one of their own or that, like me already have one but want to improve it.

Cherylscott's e-how contribution describes blurring the borders so one can create anywhere in the home.

This Esortment article lists and explains the whys behind some of the necessities to consider in setting up a home studio, but I prefer

Urbanpaintbrush's explanations, images and details better.   In fact, I just happened on that site for this blog post and methinks I'll be paying many more visits there in the future!  (LOVE IT!)

But the Award for best detail of stuff needed, definitely goes to Jennifer Young who hails from Richmond, Virginia.  Great explanations and information, Jennifer and all.

Now, back to the title of this post.  My studio is in an addition we built in July, 2003.  I remember it well because we needed a room to bed my oldest son Kris and four other Marine infantrymen he was returning home with for a visit after his first tour in Iraq.   From wartime recollections to making art.  I'm glad we've been able to make that transition.  And the measurement, by the way, is seven steps and if you'll excuse me, I'm heading for a mug right now!