"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

There was a time when I could draw without pain...before arthritis attacked my hands and made it impossible to hold a pencil for any length of time. I was photographing some of my older works this evening, and decided to post this graphite drawing of a Louisiana sculptor, Clyde Connell. I did this work in February of 1990, and consider it probably my favorite drawing. I was quite taken with her beautiful face which expresses such character and contentment. What was really amazing about this beautiful woman, was that she did sculptures of monumental size! So interesting! This is graphite on illustration board and is 16" X 20".

5 comments:

Watercolors by Susan Roper said...

Oh, Barb! I have had hand x-rays taken of my swollen joints and discovered ( thankfully!) that my swollen, noduled joints are NOT rheumatoid! So, I go onward, with this artisan jewelry and watercolor painting, and hope to go onward for many years! So, here is to painful hands and advancing age! We all seem to deal with this so we might as well form a sisterhood! Susan

RH Carpenter said...

So much pain comes with aging. It seems we could do so much but are kept stilled at times by aches of all kinds. This drawing is wonderful and I really like the large hands, strong and able to work large sculptures! I'm so glad wielding a brush isn't as painful to you as drawing :)

Barb Sailor said...

Susan - I have also gone the route of hand x-rays and nothing can be done. I go onward also. I am honored to be a part of the sisterhood:) I want to tell you again I think your Hawaii painting is lovely. It has such "feeling!" Also - Do you sell your jewelry from your blog or somewhere else?
Barb

Rhonda - Thank you so much for your comments - you are always so supportive. I was quite taken with her large hands also. It was amazing to me, though, that such a frail looking elderly lady could do all that welding, etc. As far as my hands are concerned, the brushes don't bother me so much, as long as I don't try to do too much detail work. Knowing how tight I am, there are times that I just have to take a break:)
Barb

Sandy Maudlin said...

This drawing shows the gift you have - even if it's not possible to draw anymore. Your eyes still 'see' what's needed to make a great painting. I too love the power in her hands. Beautiful!

Barb Sailor said...

Thank you so much, Sandy.
Barb