Moving forward....

 If I didn't have my art journal to work on, how would I spend my time? I would be very bored.  

 My favorite way to begin the day - a big cup of coffee!

On the Rocks!

No Bending!!

 

My daily routine needed a major overhaul with NO lifting, NO bending, and NO twisting.

Let the Healing Begin...

 I'm so grateful that I have my art to keep me occupied, otherwise, I would cry all day.  I have had pain before, but nothing like this.  

My art journal continues

Honestly, have you ever tried getting dressed without bending, lifting or twisting

mirrors should be banned for at least a week after surgery

It's a joy knowing my family and friends will happily help me in any way they can

Oh my aching back!!

I’m having back surgery (complete disc replacement) in December.  I’m nervous about it.  There is a list of things I shouldn’t do in the 3 months after surgery, for example, no lifting more than 10 lbs., no twisting or bending, etc.!   I’ll go stir-crazy if I don’t have anything to do.  Since my paintbrushes, paints, and paper don’t weigh much, I will work on an art journal just as I did during COVID-19.  I’ve already started the prep work.  

Journal Cover (front)

I bought quite a few dollar-store children's books, cut books apart

and punched holes using a Cinch machine.

Sanded the front and back of each page; applied a layer of gesso on each side.

Painted the front and back of one page with acrylic paint - this will be the cover

Now the fun really begins.  

I created and painted my image using watercolors, acrylic paint, and Inktense Blocks. 

I utilized my Cricut Explore3 machine to cut a thought bubble and add the text. 

Glued thought bubble on the cover.

The pages are so thick that I must make several sections before binding. 

 I have no idea where this is going, but that's the fun of it!

Ageless

Keeping busy to not think about the upcoming surgery. Putting all my energy into art helps.

My process

Create a background in acrylics

                   

                                       

Draw figure and paint using oils

"Coneflower with Bee"

 Summer is quickly fading away, but the coneflowers in my garden are still thriving.  (Daily watering gets a little old after a while.) I was lucky enough to take a photo while a bee was gorging.

Background painted with acrylics; sketch with Blackwing pencil

Let the oils begin!