Peppermint Roses
6x6in oil on canvas panel $110. SOLD
Artist Note.
Remember when I asked for help
sharing their own
personal stories. I was comforted
knowing what I experiencing
was more understandable than I thought.
Then I got a private email from a blogger
friend I had met in Carol Marine's
workshop a few years ago
suggesting I may want to see
my doctor...
When I told the doctor my symptoms she
ordered tests. She wanted to make sure
I had not had a TIA (small stroke)
because some of
my symptoms were similar.
Results are in... Thankfully no TIA!
Instead it appears I could have been having
"painless/silent migraines."
Confusion and not being able to focus
are part of the game.
I have had two more recognizable
events since, but I am not scared anymore
about the temporary forgetting how to paint.
(I watch my video!)
or how to evaluate it.
Anyway, I am trying to find the trigger,
(Could be some very old, potent,
balsamic vinegar presented as a gift)
but wanted to pass on the
results just in case anyone else
out there experiences a similar
situation. The advice to go to the
doctor for a check was very helpful.
Grateful Julie.
personal stories. I was comforted
knowing what I experiencing
was more understandable than I thought.
Then I got a private email from a blogger
friend I had met in Carol Marine's
workshop a few years ago
suggesting I may want to see
my doctor...
When I told the doctor my symptoms she
ordered tests. She wanted to make sure
I had not had a TIA (small stroke)
because some of
my symptoms were similar.
Results are in... Thankfully no TIA!
Instead it appears I could have been having
"painless/silent migraines."
Confusion and not being able to focus
are part of the game.
I have had two more recognizable
events since, but I am not scared anymore
about the temporary forgetting how to paint.
(I watch my video!)
or how to evaluate it.
Anyway, I am trying to find the trigger,
(Could be some very old, potent,
balsamic vinegar presented as a gift)
but wanted to pass on the
results just in case anyone else
out there experiences a similar
situation. The advice to go to the
doctor for a check was very helpful.
Grateful Julie.
Another link to the original post HERE
If you missed it, it is invaluable to read
what 31 artists
shared about their own experiences.
what 31 artists
shared about their own experiences.
Dear Julie, reading your writing, watching your roses so extraordinary ... I thought that "Fiat Lux".
ReplyDeleteThe light that illuminates your painting, looks strong physical signal that real clarity was obtained!
Nothing helps more to know exactly what happens, when something different is happening in our mind and our body, always so closely related.
I wish you a speedy recovery, which seems already underway, judging by the extraordinary beauty of these recent works with roses. The roses seem to carry a special grace with their strong vitality after winter, wherever you look, we see roses in bloom!
Nice to go into a season bright and warm, having overcome health problems!
Thank you, dear Rita. The painting appears stronger because of the stronger colors. have you ever seen a peppermint rose? The are randomly striped with pink. like the candy cane. Rather stunning. A friend grows them and brought them in right from her garden so they lasted a few days.
DeleteMy mental recovery wobbles with surges of clarity and confusion. Knowing what it is helps conquer the fear I previously had. Once I find the trigger then it will all go away permanently.
Wow! What a surprise. Glad you were able to attach a cause to the scary symptoms.
ReplyDeleteYep - surprised me too. It never occurred to me it was something other than an artist thing. I could have gone on thinking that without my friends nudge...
DeleteAll I have to do it find what triggers them.
Love the way you captured the whole muzzle of the mouth in your new portrait piece.
Painless migraines? Wow. So thankful you went to the doctor and that you have an idea what is causing your issues. You are an inspiration to me and so many others!! Thanks for sharing this information Julie. Wish and praying for the best for you.
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet, Carol. Thank you for such nice thoughts. All is going to be well.
DeleteYour workshop with Nancy sounded wonderful and I think your new work is fabulous. Good for you for working so hard towards your goals.
Wow Julie, thank heaven and so scary all at the same time. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen. No longer scary. Thanks for the Blessings.
DeleteLove your new landscape. Great desert colors.
glad you're better, your lapse was nothing serious and you're back at your easel doing beautiful thing. It never occurred to me that my lack of interest in painting these days may be an illness. Till I read your previous post and all the comments. I chalked my disinterest and disappointment off to something percolating inn my head that needed time for clarification. Painting .could never have been a J O B for me; the day to day demand for quality work would kill the joy and the passion and the quality. So when I don't feel like it, or it seems I've lost my touch, I put it aside and .let my head clear by changing direction. OR I just paint crappy stuff and call it my crap series. Glad you're back to yourself. Good book for artists: Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d'Art by Christopher Moore. I'm reading it while having a down period.
ReplyDeleteYes - I understand and relate to your personal experience - been there myself. I knew this one was different because it was scary looking and not knowing what to do next. Thanks for the book title. I will look forward to reading it.
DeleteI enjoyed seeing the wonderful colors on your post and am looking forward to seeing new work when you have got back into your groove again.
Thank you for sharing the information. Your courage is inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim - oh dear...no, I am not courageous, but certainly stubborn. The thought of not painting was just not an option.
DeleteLove your new portrait. You managed to capture his personality.
I think artists are simply wired differently and from time to time we need a "time-out" for restoration. Feel better, Julie!
ReplyDeleteI think they are too, but I do not think this was the case here. Apparently lots of people have them. It makes you have a time out for sure.
DeleteLucky you painting in that wonderful sounding rose garden. I love what you did.
Life is such a journey,full of surprises. So glad for the advice you were given and that then you got an answer. And as always,thanks for sharing. One never knows who else needs to hear this information. You are beautiful and your roses are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes - lucky someone understood a medical viewpoint when I said I could not "see" what I had done. and also felt different. As artists we are all familiar with blocks or slumps so we may not think to get checked. I know I didn't.
DeleteAnyway, on to better things...like your white roses. I love a high key painting and your has really beautiful, soft colors.
Dear Julie - so thankful you are alright. Believe it or not my Mom suffered from painless migraines years ago. They do strange things to one. Hope you are much better. This painting certainly makes me think there is no artist block or confusion here. Lovely my friend. Take care and have a great day.
ReplyDeleteGood to know you understand how weird they are. Hard to explain for sure.
DeleteIt is wonderful to hear your mother is doing so much better. Loved your post with all the beautiful flowers. WOW!
Julie, I just went back to read the previous post about your difficulties and then this one about finding the solution. Knowing that you are okay and that there was a real down to earth physical reason for your strange feelings gave me a great sense of relief. I am so happy you are well and the situation is manageable. I have experienced something similar in the past related to eye strain. Now I know better not to just keep pushing through but to let my eyes rest when they give me warning signs. And I LOVE Peppermint Roses - oh, the color, the color, the color!
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your very understanding comment. Thanks Susan. If I get so I know ahead of time one is coming I will certainly rest.
DeleteThanks for liking my roses. Yes - colorful!
That is a lovely model you had in your life painting class. Three poses accomplished. Amazing. Your work is at such a high level it is not surprise to hear about your sales. Congratulations. I am looking forward to going into your Portland Gallery.
Julie, I am so happy to read the good news. I was worried for you. It's nice to know what the problem is!
ReplyDeleteI will always be grateful to you, Gretchen, Without your sage advice I still would be floundering. You are a good friend indeed.
DeleteNot only a good friend, but also a fabulous artist, and no one paints the ferry in all weathers as well as you do.
Beautiful roses. Love the colors Julie. I am glad that you found a solution and thanks for sharing. Take care and hopefully you can find the trigger soon and avoid it :)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that - thanks, dear Bhavani.
DeleteYour lemons in such a lovely bowl is a delightful example of the color yellow handled well.
I always tend to think "mental" when we have problems like you described-I look for emotional and organic mental sources. I never thought about a small stroke or silent migraine. How interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I am glad that someone offered a wonderful suggestion and I hope you are on the road to getting better.
The roses are beautiful- I especially like that vase:)
Hi Libby - I agree, it is not obvious until it is pointed out. The vase is a Waterford water glass. Very old. Glad you like it.
DeleteYour color theory lesson is valuable on your latest post. If people click on your name here it will NOT take them to it.it goes to your Google + page.
Thanks Julie! I saw that I had a problem with the redirect on the profile and didn't know how to fix it. Thank you for pointing it out. It's fixed now (I think) and so people should be redirected to my site when they clickon my name:)
DeleteAnd I mean "click on" not "clickon."
DeleteIt's always good to rule things out when it comes to how you're feeling. I'm glad you went to the doctors...no more wondering if something was wrong with your health....and we don't want that!!! My problem was that I just didn't have the desire to paint.
ReplyDeleteYour Peppermint Roses are gorgeous. I've never heard about them before but I see where the name comes in... the glass vase is so beautifully painted as well.
LOVE it!!!
I understand not having the desire to paint - been there done that! I knew this was different but it did not occur to me it was anything but a different type of artist block. I could not get some words out either. I am a bit ditsy naturally so did not connect the dots. Glad you like the painting...I certainly love your new portrait.
DeleteJulie, so happy to hear the mystery is solved and you are well. I love this painting, the roses are so lovely and the glass container is brilliant. You are truly and inspiration to all.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you,
Joan
Thanks, Joan. me too!
DeleteYou really did create a wonderful moody painting in your new post. You made a small space look vast.
Beautiful roses...........and glad you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteVery very happy your results showed nothing serious. I hope you are able to pinpoint the trigger(s) so that you may paint in perfect peace.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are so beautiful. I love the glass container.
Hi Lisa - we are both happy together!
DeleteYour new painting, "Wearing Kisses" has a wonderful message. Love it.
fancy you discovering one of the Pre Raphaelite painters - in Texas of all places. Loved your blog taking us along on your trip.
It's always fascinating and wonderful how information comes to us sometimes. And, having an answer to something is a big step in getting it "fixed." I'm so happy that your friend mentioned a possibility, the doctor investigated, and you have information and answers to help resolve the problem. So much love is sent your way!!
ReplyDeleteI agree - the synchronicity always amazes me.
DeleteThanks for the love - sending it back and hope you are enjoying experimenting as planned with your new supplies.
Sometimes you don't go to a doctor for various reasons and sometimes you go but the Dr. is not helpful. I believed in mine till he retired and now have a new one that has helped me fix many of my long time complaints in a few months. It's like a miracle. I'm so glad your Dr. got on it and has put your mind at rest. However, it never hurts to get another opinion on the diagnosis if things don't improve.
ReplyDeleteAmazing story. The new doctor helping so quickly. How great is that to hear.
ReplyDeleteMy doctor really thought I had had a small stroke and quickly had the MRI. She is young, bright and humorous.She also get me in within 15 mins of appointment time. My former doc made everyone wait for at least an hour.
I have had a couple of episodes since and now I recognize what is going on.
Thanks for the visit, Sea. I always love hearing from you.
That's wonderful news, Julie! Sorry it was so scary for you...
ReplyDeleteThere is so much life in this painting , really gorgeous roses, and those fabulous contrasts , and the reflection.....! So glad to hear you are feeling better , sometimes doctor's can be of help :-))
ReplyDelete