Art and Adversity

Last month I wrote that I was, at 70, in the best shape of my life. Unfortunately, my heart is not.

I picked up a lingering upper respiratory infection in May, while traveling in Peru. It eventually infected my heart and caused viral myocarditis. This condition, which inflames and weakens the heart, usually resolves in 3 to 6 months but can take up to a year or more. My heart has recovered just a little so far. (A subsequent COVID infection didn’t help.)

Nor does my previous history of cardiomyopathy, or weak heart, diagnosed in 2017. I recovered from that addiction-related condition, but it took about two years and left my heart somewhat weakened and vulnerable to further damage. I’m hoping to make more progress, however slowly, from my present condition.

I feel good and continue to work out vigorously. But this is another reminder that life is precious, and to do the things I can, while I can.

I have not been able to travel abroad since May, but hope to get back on track with travel in the new year. In the meantime, I’m working hard on Spanish and keeping up my German with weekly classes. And, I am in the studio creating new work.

A Bigger Studio

My works have gotten bigger, but my studio has not. Until now.

The past few days I’ve moved into a larger space at Sixstar Art Studios, one that allows me to work more comfortably and display more work. (I can still only show a limited amount of work at a time. But everything is accessible on my website and I can arrange to show all my available work to those interested.)

I love the deep space and sight lines that really let my work speak. I’m also able to completely clear the space, making it feel like a true gallery for special events.

Art Walk December 13

The first event will be the next Art Walk, Saturday December 13 from 6-9 pm. I’ll have a larger mix of works on display, including the newest pieces. There will be lots of new work from our resident and guest artists. Sixstar Art Studios continues to be home for the most exciting art in St. Petersburg.

New Abstract Art

I’ve been experimenting with spray paint and hand-made stencils. Here are two new pieces I made utilizing this technique. Please click to see full-resolution images on my website.

Holidays

This is a difficult time of year for many people, including me. But this year I feel more peace than I have in a long time, despite my lingering physical problems, occasional romantic disappointments and the pull of seasonal melancholy.

I have friends facing real tragedy right now. It seems worse when bad things happen at this time of year. I don’t have any words of wisdom for those who have lost loved ones, or gotten difficult medical news. And we are all living in a traumatic political climate, whatever our individual beliefs might be. The best thing is sometimes just to be there for each other.

I would hope that we can all be respectful of each each other‘s humanity, try to find the good in each other, and lift each other up as best we can these coming days.

See you next year.