All we ever hear these days is “how are you coping with the pandemic?”
Seriously, in all areas of my life the conversation ends up in the realm of wearing masks, getting vaccinated, going out, staying home, and on and on and on. Can there be any wonder that I among many I suppose, are weary of these interactions. we long for the days where we can talk about life beyond this time and space.
I for one, have a refuge, and on many days retreat to the space I call my studio. It is in the basement of my home and offers me a place of intense creativity. I get all the lights up bright, turn on the music, settle into my projects and go. I don’t have to wear a mask, I am free from too many interactions with others and can cut fabric…. sew fabric….. iron fabric and make art.
The one major interruption I had this year was a fall in April which resulted in a major fracture to my right (and yes dominant) wrist. I will not pretend that it set my life upside-down for a few months. Imagine a fabric artist that loves being a fabric artist that could not even brush her teeth with her left hand. I thought my life as a creative artist was over. Many encouraged me to find other ways to feed that part of me, but I only got depressed thinking I was going to have to stop doing what I love. Others shared similar stories and managed to get the use of their arms, hands, wrists back after time. I tried to choose the latter. Some days it worked….. some days not so much.
I cancelled workshop, postponed commissions and withdrew from the art festivals That I had lined up. Slowly I did regain mobility (Just like I was told) and started back to work in the studio. About 4 months after the injury I was spending 3/4 time at my work, and by summers end I was able to resume the projects I had set aside.
I had several clients waiting for work and came in a few months behind schedule on their work. Perhaps the break (Pun intended) did indeed give me the breathing room needed to consider options for different techniques, color choices and design. Who knows what would have happened as a result of business as usual. I only know that in the end, I found the ability to withstand this seemingly disastrous event and make it through the hard parts that we call life.
