Skip to main content

Gym Blobs

Being cooped up in the house during the Covid Pandemic of 2020, led me to pursue some new hobbies, one of which was watercolor painting.  Having very limited artistic ability, I started making cartoons out of blobs of paint.  My process is evolving over time, I have added some digital art to the mix.  Some pieces have watercolor mixed with digital elements and some are fully digital created in Photoshop.  These cartoons have become a journal of my days living with Parkinson's.
























Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Diagnosing with Compassion and Hope

  My hackles are raised, my feathers are ruffled, my … I’m not sure I can find the words for how I am feeling.   This morning, I read a recently published article called “ Delivering the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease-setting the stage with hope and compassion.”   I am not upset that the article was written.     I am glad that the authors have brought this to the attention of others. I am upset that it needed to be written.     I just think it is common sense that when someone is given a life-changing diagnosis, it should be given with hope and compassion.     The authors note that some say the moment of diagnosis is “almost akin to a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one.” Of course it is!     The person receiving the diagnosis is losing their future self.     Everything they thought their life would be from that moment on has now drastically changed! I would count that as traumatic.       I was...
Post a Comment
Read more

Missing Tom

I recently lost a good friend. Never would I have imagined that I would become such good buddies with a man old enough to be my dad. I met Tom over seven years ago in a Rock Steady Boxing class. I entered class as a shy, teary-eyed, newly diagnosed mess who didn't like to sweat and had never boxed. Tom quickly took me under his wing, introduced me to the movers and shakers in the local Parkinson's community and eventually recognized a potential in me to further help the community. Within a year, with the encouragement of Tom and others, I became a certified Rock Steady coach. Tom and I would go to the same conferences and seek out the newly diagnosed. Ever the salesman, Tom would ask me if I "closed the deal," meaning, did I convince someone to come to an exercise class or attend a support group. Tom knew the benefits of attending these groups and he wanted everyone else to know also. He just wanted everyone to live the best life possible, even while living...
Post a Comment
Read more

Attitude is Everything

I was never much of an athlete so when I found out that I had to exercise to stay well with Parkinson's, I was dismayed. Sweat and I never got along and still don't. Why can't Parkinson's be beat by eating M & M's? That sounds like much more fun. When I realized what a difference exercise made in my quality of life, I was sold. Intense exercise had to be part of my life like it or not. In fact, it helped so much that I wanted to help others realize it, and I got certified to help coach at the gym. I was feeling like a bad ass and that attitude has served me well.  My Parkinson's has progressed over the past seven and a half years, although slowly, and some days can be pretty rough. I still find that calling out that bad ass chick inside me helps get through the tough times. I may have many more years to deal with Parkinson's so I hope that bad ass chick sticks around. My dear, sweet husband made this design and put it on a shirt for me. It is my reminder...
Post a Comment
Read more