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Thursday, June 13, 2019

I'M BACK ... a painting's progress

ACK!! This is my new hip joint. I still have mixed feelings about having something like this done, but it was either that or living in constant pain or being stoned on opiates. I put up with the increasing pain and loss of function for over four years. I finally decided to have surgery but had to have it done across the border in the U.S. It was pricey [thank goodness for the small inheritance left to me by my aunt] but the surgery and after-care were fantastic. Dealing with the American medical system, and comparing it to the Canadian made very aware of the inadequacies  and inefficiencies of our medical system here. I won't rant on and on about it, but if you'd like to comment, please feel free. Anyway, it's five weeks since the operation, and I am doing extremely well, healing very quickly. I hope to be riding Bruno again in August, and taking the dogs out for long hikes in the woods.

This is my friend and neighbour, Christine. She is an ecologist with environment Canada.  She and her daughter have been an enormous help - taking care of Bruno, boosting morale, bringing meals ... I could not have done this without their help, and I am most grateful! My sister, Steph, was also a huge help, driving me to and from Bellingham, caring for me at home. She made sure I didn't overdo things [I am not a patient person, and wanted to get back to life as usual in the first week post-op] More about Steph in a later post ...

My drawing

First few applications of colour. Most of this painting was done wet-on-dry to get a sense of texture of the feathers. The colours used throughout the work were aureolin, quin. sienna, quin. burnt orange and phthalo. blue.



Gradually building up depth of value and texture with  wet-on-dry applications.


And here is the yellow-breasted chat, found here in British Columbia in the interior regions of the province. I showed the painting to Christine this morning when she came over to feed Bruno, and she loved it. So I will have it framed, and give it to her with many thanks for all the help she has been the past few weeks. I also gave her daughter one of my tugboat paintings that she loved. 

So that's it for now. I'm not sure how often I'll be posting or painting - still can't sit or stand in one position for to long.

Thank you for visiting!

7 comments:

  1. Great to see you again in blogland, Kathryn! I am so glad the surgery went well with such good result! I know you've been in a lot of pain. Also happy to hear about the wonderful people who helped you. And the little bird is lovely, a great thankyou gift.

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  2. Dear Kathryn - so glad that you are doing well after your hip surgery. So thankful that you received wonderful care here in the US. Sometimes we actually hear that your health care is much better than ours. Guess one doesn't know the truth until the experience happens. I can see that throughout all this suffering though your painting skills are as truly lovely as ever. I adore your yellow-breasted chat. Take care friend and get better soon. Hugs!

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  3. We are so happy to hear that you are doing well, Miss Kathryn! You will be 100% in no time at all! Your yellow-breasted chat painting is just gorgeous!

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  4. wonderful little bird :)

    you couldn't pay me enough to go to the states. there are problems with the medical fields in most countries, but its nice not having to pay to get something fixed even though it might take awhile. way too many people end up on the streets in the states due to medical costs.

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  5. I’m thrilled to know you’re feeling better Kathryn!!! No operation is good but when the results are successful, you feel SO good with your decision. Love your drawing and have always enjoyed your process. Feel better, my friend!!!!

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  6. So glad you are on the mend; the hip replacement sounds right the right solution to me!
    Your chat is perfectly lovely!

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  7. Welcome back, Kathryn - you have been sorely missed. So glad your surgery went well and that you expect to be riding in August - a real medical success story! Love the little yellow chat - he deserves a frame and a permanent home for sure.

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