My hands have been on my mind a lot lately. For many reasons, but primarily because they are constantly numb and they hurt - especially my left hand. Not surprisingly, after 60+ years of drawing, writing, carving, painting, modeling, mousing and, yes, typing, I have carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, just prior to the shelter in place, a hand surgeon recommended surgery, first on my left, then on my right wrist. So, I’ve spent a good part of the last few months sitting in the house mulling the decision over, all the while wearing wrist braces at night, taking Ibuprofen and avoiding handwriting.
Sidebar - when I was first married, my mother-in-law fretted every time I ventured down to her husband’s woodshop to help him with a project. She would say, “Please stay away from the table saw. You have to watch your hands - you’re an artist!!” At the time I would pass off her compassionate over-protectiveness and tell her I’d paint with my teeth if something ever happened to my hands. Today, this frivolous, glib comment makes me wince as I think of my friend and fellow artist Peter Damon, who bravely faces this very obstacle after losing his hands in Iraq. Though he surely wouldn’t want me to, I feel guilty even writing about my hand woes. It is a hangnail in comparison.
Anyway, an interesting thing has come out of my situation and that’s what I really set out to write about today. After a whole life of solid reliability, I cannot use my left hand to draw or paint anymore. Even if I could endure the numbness and pain, my left hand is incapable of the fine motor dexterity (see what I did there? “dexter” translates to “right” in Latin. Get It? Irony!!) I have been accustomed to when making art. I have always been somewhat ambidextrous, as any lefty has to be (try buying a left-handed chainsaw) and have switched hands when advantageous while painting, but this was a much more concerning scenario. But, I did it. And, after more than a few misfires, I think I’ve been fairly successful. We’ll see where it goes. I am planning on the surgery, at least to my left wrist, once I feel safer visiting a hospital. But, for now, put me in coach, I’m ready to paint! If I could only throw a knuckleball…
On another note, I have a favor to ask.
Like all artists forced to shift into a more robust on-line presence, I’m trying to expand my audience. Specifically, I’d like to increase my mailing list. If you are so inclined to help me out, I would truly appreciate your sharing of my email newsletters with people you’d think would enjoy it and asking them to subscribe if they do. I promise to NEVER use my list in nefarious ways, and will continue to try and make the content as interesting as possible.
Thanks in advance!