Problems with my fingers

I've got new problems with my fingers. My doctor took me off the Lyrica, and put me on Neurontin. It helped the swelling go down and really helped my feet, but my knuckles and fingers are more stiff. The doctor's office swears it's not the new medicine. Blood tests came back normal. Now I have to wait til November to see my doctor. It's crazy, but I've been told that there aren't enough rheumatologist in the area. It's hard to type, so I can't post on here or email like I want. I also can't paint. It's so frustrating.

If a want-to-be doctor is reading this, or if you know someone in med. school please encourage them to be a rheumatologist. There is a real need, especially in the Little Rock, AR area.

Somewhere along the way, my blog became less about art, and more about medical maladies.

Why you haven't heard from me

Sorry, that I've gone so long without posting here. In February, my health continued to get worse. My entire body became even more weak, and the pain felt like that deep down ache over your entire body when you have the flu. Imagine feeling like that all the time. That's how I felt. My GP told me he thought I had Fibromyalgia, and was sending me to a Rhuematologist. I had to wait 6 weeks, and in the meantime, my Granny passed away. In April I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I'm on 3 medications just for it plus one for muscle cramps. The first 12 hrs were so awful, bad vertigo. I was on the verge of calling my doctor, when finally they kicked in, and I felt great. I took a bath and began laughing, because it didn't hurt. I felt like I could do anything. In May, I threw my back out because I thought I could do some gardening. I'm just now getting that under control. I've been exercising everyday, even though most of the time I don't feel like it. I am becoming stronger, which is why my back is improving. The drugs aren't as great as they were 3 months ago, but still better than before. Although I haven't done any painting. Lyrica makes my hands and feet swell, and hurt. Infact, that's another reason I haven't posted. Typing this has been painful for me. Of course, this makes me wonder about my future as an artist. Will I be able to overcome this new challenge? I have a feeling that it may mean that I might have to retrain my hand to paint again. Will this cause my style to change? I guess only time will tell.

If you want to learn more about fibromyalgia, here's the best link I've found so far.
www.fibrocenter.com
Please read the entire about section, at the very least.

SWOP opening in Pine Bluff, AR

Well, I managed to make it to the opening of Small Works on Paper, at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas on Friday, January 11, 2008. This place was very impressive. I had been told it was nice, and had high expectaions, but still, I was overwhelmed by it's beauty and lighting. I can't tell you how many mueseams and galleries I've been to that have really bad lighting or flow of space. Whoever designed it should get great recognition. In short, WOW!

The other thing that was refreshing was the kind people there. Everyone was so friendly and caring. I've only driven by Pine Bluff, never actually been there before. Cheri and Sally from the AR Arts Council were so understanding in my need for a chair, because of my health problems. I felt bad and couldn't stand up while the other artists spoke, but it was still nice to hear them talk about their work. I was glad to have an opportunity to speak about my piece, "The Unfurling Life". There was much more that I could have said about it, but I didn't think I could stand there for much longer. I have to say that I was surprised that there wasn't a grouping of chairs considering how large the room was.

My only real complaint is with whoever framed the works, there was a lot of dust in my piece, although that was not as bad as one of the purchase awards, which had a hair in it. I've been frustated by dust when framing my own work too, but usually only one maybe two pieces of dust ever show up in my frames. I find that computer screen clothes do the best job, when trying to capture run away dust on glass or plexi. Granted it takes 2 or 3 times to get it right.

Thanks to everyone who was so helpful. Also thanks to all those compliments, it really helped to lift my spirit.

Gretchen

SWOP opening accounced!

The opening for Small Works on Paper has been accounced. It will be held at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast AR in Pine Bluff, on Friday, January 11 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The address is 701 S. Main, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. The phone number is 870-536-3375. Regular hours of operation are 10 am -5 pm, Monday - Friday, and Saturday 1-4 pm.

I hope not only to be there, but if health permits, I might have an opportunity to speak about my work. Who knows how I'll be doing by then.

My work, "The Unfurling Life" will go on tour around the state for 2008. I think the entire touring schedule would be too large to post on here, so I'll do increments, and this very abbreviated schedule.

SWOP will be in Pine Bluff from January 4 -26th,
Hope from February 4-27th,
El Dorado from March 3- 28th,
Hot Springs from April 3- 28th,
Blytheville from May 5 -31st,
West Memphis from June 9- 30th,
Batesville from July 1- 30th,
Searcy from August 5 - Sept. 15th,
Conway from Sept. 18- Oct. 30th,
Fayetteville from Nov. 3- 26th

Please come and see my painting some point during the tour. This is the biggest show that I've gotten into so far. I appreciate your support!

Thank you,
Gretchen

Accepted into Swall Works on Paper! SWOP

I am proud to announce that my painting, "The Unfurling Life", was accepted into the Small Works on Paper from the Arkansas Dept. of Heritage. It along with other works will travel the state to 10 different locations throughout 2009. It will begin in January in Pine Bluff, but that is all the details I have so far.

Watch for more updates, as I get the infomation!

Thanks,
Gretchen

MSW Fall Exhibition 2007 at ARVAC!

My painting "Mystery Solved" is in the 2007 Mid-Southern Watercolorists Fall Exhibition. It is being shown at ARVAC in Russellville this year. The reception is this sunday, 18th from 1-3 pm at the AR River Valley Arts Center, 1001 East B St, RSVL, AR 72801.

ARVAC is behind the Hughes Bldg, when on Parkway, or next to city park on B ST.

I am planning on being there, but due to the nature of my pain, I cannot promise. Hopefully I will be able to.

Sorry this painting is not on my website yet. I will try to get Cliff to put it up soon.

Please come and show your support!
Thankyou !
Gretchen

Sorry for such an absence !

Sorry I haven't posted in here in such a long time. I'm still having health problems. After months of suffering, I found a glimmer of hope, that maybe I can finally recover from this, yesterday. Hopefully I can get better.