Discover your abilities within your disabilities.

[naturagirl]

I suppose we all have been through these years, usually the younger years, where we felt invincible and immortal.

Nevertheless, as time went by faster and faster, with every new year, we started wondering. Have lived our life wisely? Did we discover and used our gifts to the benefit of others? Have we done enough to keep our bodies fit enough to help us to fulfill all the plans we have postponed to 'one day' .

You know these 'one day' plans? One day I built a boat, climb Annapurna, start a self-sufficient life style ? I am sure you get the drift.

Than, one day we wake up, like I did one day, and we realize that we have to cross out most items off our bucket list, because we are suddenly unable to physically live them out.

One day we wake up, like I did, unable to move, or to use our limbs, except under excruciating pain. One day something we always took for granted, our mobility, has evaporated over night, sometimes, like in my case, without prior warning.

The first reaction for many is, that's the end of it, the rest is not worth living.

We are suddenly 'disabled'.

What does it mean to be 'disabled' ?

It means that we have lost the ability to be able to go on, as we did when we were young and felt invincible. It also means that we have to modify our 'bucket list' by concentrating on the abilities we still have.

Life can be strange, sometimes we find abilities, within us, we never knew we had before we were forced to search for them. Not everyone has the stamina to train for the next Special Olympics.

That's how I discovered that I could paint.

How many of you reject the possibility that inside you might be a little Rembrandt, Picasso or Grandma Moses waiting to come out?

When I had hit rock-bottom I took an 4 weeks art course, because I always loved art.

I did not think I could draw, or was talented enough to paint a picture anyone would like. Thank's God I had a brilliant teacher with MS and 6 kids, who said to me:" If you can hold a pencil and have the wish to learn you can become an artist'.

I could hold a pencil, and after four 5-hour lessons I finished my very first Still Life, which I am adding here today.

The reason I write this is to make you see that within any disability you can find a ability you did not know you had.

I am happy to assist you to find it, no matter what your situation is, at this point in time.

Yesterday I put two of my paintings here on-line for you to see. The reaction was so overwhelming for me, that I have the great wish to help anyone who would like to become an artist to find their way and their footing.

I will only display one painting per day, in the sequence I painted them, that will help you to see the progress one can make within a short period of time.

I am also happy to help you, by personal messaging, to explain what ever you like to know, and to give you valuable tips to overcome obstacles.

This will be my contribution to this group and you wonderful people, who have made me so welcome.

I apologize for any grammatical mistakes, as I am not an language expert.

[Trikki]

I love it......I love the reflections on the apples and goblet and lace table cloth is so good. How many hours did it take to complete? What you say is also true...we have to think of what we can do not what we cannot do....I love gardening there was nothing digging a new veg patch, growing all my vegggies and flowers...really getting stuck in. Now I still grow veggies and flowers but low maintenance as all in pots at a manageable height....I may actually attempt to get back to my watercolour painting as you have given me confidence to try again....Thank you...xx

[naturagirl in reply to Trikki]

Thank you Trikki, you are very kind.

I also love gardening and I have a huge colorful garden. Nevertheless there was a time when I could not do gardening, as I could not use my legs efficiently. To paint you do not need the legs.

I am glad you like that painting but I do 500% better now, this one was my very first and I was proud as Larry when I finished it. It is very big and I spent a lot of money to get it professionally framed, as one does with the first one, haha.

Luckily I learned to do the lace much better now as you will see in a few days, providing I get enough interest.

I made a lot of technical mistakes, mainly in regard to the tonal values.

I only ever did one water color which I sold on Ebay. I find water-color paintings much more difficult. I admire people who are able to do that. Please start doing it again!

Take care sweet lady!

[ukmsmi4]

What an inspirational message. 💝

And what a beautiful picture. xxx 🖼 🤗👍

PS. Haven't seen your other pictures, must go and look for them. Hugs, Margaret.xx

[naturagirl in reply to ukmsmi4]

Thank you ukmsm14. There is only one other one of me which I added 2 days ago. I had to delete one as one can only put one per day on, which is fair enough, but I was not aware of it. Anyway, as I said in my blog I will show more due time so people who are interested can see my progress.

xxx

[ukmsmi4 in reply to naturagirl]

Apologies I have just realised I did see your other picture but brain fog took over. 😳

It was beautiful too, you clearly have a talent and I look forward to seeing more of your pictures. Hugs, Margaret.xxx

[naturagirl in reply to ukmsmi4]

xxxx

[Angelseven]

what a moving post.

Your painting is beautiful - I love the colours and the way you have captured the light.

I look forward to seeing more

Jane

[naturagirl in reply to Angelseven]

Thank you dear Jane . That was my very first painting.

[Dionne0208]

Wow, amazing painting, and your first would love to see the rest of them, my dad has just gone back to doing his paintings after having a couple of strokes, so glad like you he has gone bake to it, look forward to seeing the others xx

[naturagirl in reply to Dionne0208]

Thank you Dionne, your feed-back means a lot to me. Sorry about your Dad, but he has the right attitude to get well again. I started very late in life to paint. I have not painted much at all but progressed quite quickly. I find that that getting the tonal values right is the hardest. As soon as one masters that one can paint anything. I am still working on it. All the best for you and your Dad.

Hugs

[naturagirl]

Mydexter, how kind to ask. I was very kindly asked by the administrator to take one picture down, as we are only allowed one per day. I did not know that, so I took the 'still-life ' down.

I feel the same like you with my flower garden I feel like painting a picture with plants, that's what we do. I am amazed you see it that way to. Perhaps we can PM each other some garden pics. At the moment the daffodils just finished and the red tulips, yellow irises and blue pearl hyacinths are flowering in middle of masses of forget-me-not. I am in Tasmania Australia. I suppose you are in England, sorry I have not read any ones profile yet.

[Telynores in reply to naturagirl]

Where in Australia are you naturagirl talented lady?

I was brought up near Adelaide

[fenbadger]

A profound post. Lovely picture.

[naturagirl in reply to fenbadger]

thank you, your feedback makes me happy.

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi there

Yes I completely agree with everyone else. A very profound and caring post.

Wow! What an amazing talent you have. I believe mine is IT, if you can call that a talent!

Your drawing is absolutely amazing. I can't even draw a stick man very well.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful art with us.

Hugs. Lu xx

[naturagirl in reply to BlueMermaid3]

Thank you so much Lu, you are incredible kind.

I really am overwhelmed by so much positive energy coming from all of youhere and for all the amazing feedback. It is something totally new for me.

Love to you, Lu, and everyone here.

[fenbadger in reply to BlueMermaid3]

Fink mine is rambling. I leave it to you to decide whether that's talking or walking

[naturagirl in reply to fenbadger]

Dear Fenbadger, I do not understand your comment. Please explain.

xx

[fenbadger in reply to naturagirl]

Ramble is a term used for long walks or for chattering too much. I know I tend to go on a bit. Sorry

[naturagirl in reply to fenbadger]

fenbadger, I get the message. we all have talents and we all get sometimes carried away because of encouragement. You have the talent to let the air out of a beautiful balloon. I feel for you.

[mmariaaaaaaaa]

Your words are poetical, I did think it was a free verse poem to begin with. I think you've articulated beautifully how many people, myself included, feel - thank you. Your painting is beautiful, makes me feel wistful for some reason - the way the flowers are perhaps. I know exactly what you mean. It's only because I've been ill I've started drawing but digitally using a computer program. I too was overwhelmed by the responses I got on here after posting one, which gave me some much needed confidence, every 'like' is greatly appreciated isn't it. Thank you for sharing this as it is almost exactly as I feel but beautifully put. Have you thought of writing? I think you would make a great poet

[naturagirl in reply to mmariaaaaaaaa]

Thank you , Maria, for your beautiful and generous response. I think we all know how wonderful it makes us feel to be appreciated and liked. The world becomes suddenly a warmer and happier place and the pain becomes easier to carry. You are a darling! I would love to see some of your digital art, where can I find it?

Confidence, you mentioned the key word, kind words of appreciation give us much needed confidence, something we seem to lose along the long way of illness.

Best wishes and a warm hug Tess-El

[stargirl47]

A beautiful post and a beautiful painting and so true I make cakes but I am lucky enough to still be working hopefully when I can no longer work I willstill be able to bake , I look fforward to more of your paintings

Hugs sarah xx

[naturagirl in reply to stargirl47]

Thank you Stargirl for your lovely words of appreciation.

Making cakes is a beautiful art also. Do you have any photos of your lovely cakes?

I bet your family and friends love coming to you for afternoon tea.

I hope you can bake for a long time, or just design the decorations, it is a wonderful art.

Warm hugs Tess-El

[stargirl47 in reply to naturagirl]

Thank you naturagirl if you go in to my profile and click on posts you will see one called mc millin cake and there is an older one from back in june with a pepper pig cake I did on but cannot for the life of me remember what the post was called blooming fibro fogg lol but they are the only ones iv posted so far I have a lot of photos on my phone but not many on my tablet , so now when I do the cakes I will have to remember to take a photo on the tablet aswell lol thanks for you kindness and you are a really talented lady

soft hugs sarah xx

[naturagirl in reply to stargirl47]

I just found the McMillin cake and it is gorgeous, definitely good enough to eat. I could not find the other one. You are a very talented lady yourself, thank you for making me feel good about myself.

[TheAuthor]

A moment of perfect beauty! Thank you for being you and sharing

[Pat9]

BEAUTIFUL what an uplifitng post you are so right we have many dormant talents just waiting to be untapped.. art is definitely one of yours I would love to pain but am useless but my forte is craft work which I do avidly now I cant do much else physically thank you for posting you will inspire many xx

[naturagirl]

Hello Pat9, Your feedback made me very happy. If I could just inspire a few people and perhaps make a few people happy with my painting , writing or anything I do it would be a life well lived.

Pat, not long ago I thought I was a useless painter. I loved paintings but never saw myself as a painter.

In the last few days I experienced more appreciation and kindness as in the last 50 years together.

You are wonderful, I can feel that your comment comes from the heart. I wished I could do such wonderful craft as you do, but I was always too impatient. I love that owl on your profile and I noticed that you have a pinterest address where more of your craft is displayed but I can not get into it. I tried the address you sent to Maariaaaa but it did not work. I would love to see more of your work. Your family is lucky to have someone who makes lovely items for them. My children are not interested but my Mum who is 96 is very proud of me (the first time in my life). She was able to see a few of my still life's before she was totally blind and thought I was the second coming of Rembrandt hahahahah. My Mum does not know much about Art, but I was so happy that I could finally make her proud. .

My best wishes El