JanMary was kind enough to make a positive comment about my art. Painting does keep me sane ( I think) ! This is one of a series based on Picos de Europa in Northern Spain.
What do others do to distract themselves from pain - personal, but also local, national, global?
I love this painting...it must be so satisfying and pleasurable to be able create something so beautiful.😁
Well, it’s satisfying when it’s going well, but it can be frustrating at times. What is really challenging is that I’ve had to give up traditional oils and the encaustic collages which I loved making and which informed my larger canvases. This is because of my interstitial lung disease ( pulmonary fibrosis) which I’ve now got as a scary complication of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
I’ve always loved seeing your paintings - they’re so strong and positive. I’m sorry you’re having difficulties at the moment but it was good to know you’re still painting. People like you, helixhelix and others, helped me when I was first diagnosed and struggling, to believe that you could have a life alongside RA. I hope things go well for you.
Thank you so much. Painting isn’t good for the joints, or the lungs, but it’s crucial for my soul. I’m glad you’ve found this forum so helpful. It works both ways; it’s good to give as well as receive support. J
I garden and cook when I can - and chase around after grandchildren. but I wish I could paint - tried botanical art but had to give up as my hands complained too much. I love your colours - I somehow relate to your art. hope you can keep on creating...
I have a postcard of yours, which I have yet to find anyone worthy enough to send it to, so it stays in my collection. Are you going to have another open day this year, or are you feeling too grim?
I garden, which I find deeply soothing as we live in the back end of beyond so just insect noises and rustling vegetation. On good day I use grown up tools, and on bad days tiny ones..and if all else fails I have a bench beside my pumpkin patch and I sit and watch them grow as we have some beautiful varieties. For me, being outdoors is the thing.
Painting is very good for the soul, and is the only thing that distracts me. But it’s not good for the joints and lungs. For the first time since I’ve moved to this lovely house, I wish I had taken the chance to move out of London. I would probably have done so if I’d known I had progressive fibrosis. I know my closest friends all live within a mile, and I have brilliant medical team and the shops are so convenient, , but fresh air and inspiring landscapes are what my heart yearns for right now. Another move would probably kill me, so there’s not much point in that. Anyway, with the impending development over the road, my house is even more blighted than those affected by Brexit.
My last Garden was very large. I couldn’t manage it and paint. When I got costochondritis, it made it even harder to bend. But I did love it, with the birds twittering in my six trees ( not bad for London). My new little courtyard is much easier. I’ll send you a pic.
Yes, I’m committed to having an open studio 22-24 November, with a friend who weaves lovely scarves and another who makes jewellery. I’ll post an invitation nearer the time. I’m very flattered that you still have a card.
Wonderful....I’m coming to London in November!!
Excellent news!
I love this painting and wish that I could draw / paint but I’m absolutely rubbish at it. My distraction is running. It is so important to me and I love the feeling of satisfaction once I get back home. It helps me feel body confident when at times I feel my body has let me down with RA.
Good for you. I wish I could run. But my feet, knees and lungs make it impossible. My physical exercise is mainly dancing to the music of Scott Joplin around the kitchen. Dancing is so much easier than standing or walking, as one isn’t on one foot very long and it’s expressive, I do have to make sure the blinds are closed!
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That’s a great painting , I wouldn’t know where to start with something like that, I bet you get such satisfaction from it, I have a smallholding so my distraction is sitting with my 4 x pet cows and 2 x sheep with a cup of tea whatever the weather I go sit with them and take a walk in their field , relaxing for me anyway .
That sounds idyllic. I’ve just been in Wales, surrounded by lovely scenery and sheep.
It is mostly idyllic most of time I love my animals but it is very testing at times and hard work over winter , and the down side is we never take holidays anymore but can’t have it all ..😏
Yes I can see that. I wonder if cows ever think that the grass is greener on the other side of the hedge. I love cows and sheep. Well, all animals really. My pet is very conventional - a cat.
I think I’ve replied to you all. If I’ve missed anyone, don’t take it personally, and thank you all. I’d love to see some of these gardens, cows, fields etc that people have spoken of.
I’ve got brain fog now. x
Jora oh wow that is so beautiful.
At the moment I work but some days this does not help but hey ho prefer a busy mind x
I hope it’s rewarding work. I do pity people who will have to work until they are 70, in jobs they don’t enjoy, travelling in the rush hour on increasingly crowded trains or buses.
I feel very fortunate in many ways.
I love your painting ... you have an amazing talent 😁. Thank you for sharing 👍
My hubby bought me a painting kit 3 Chtistmasses ago, pre diagnosis, and it has never been used! I am going to get it out and give it a go! Thanks for the inspiration 😊Good wishes x
Beautiful artwork. So pleased for you still being able to do this. Sadly I can no longer paint and even writing is difficult because of RD and Essential Tremor. I have now given all my art supplies to my granddaughters who are also quite arty.
So sorry to hear that. My hands are bad at times, but I don’t have tremor. I’m left-handed, but sometimes have to use my right, and use rags instead of brushes. Fortunately my style doesn’t demand precision! I hope I’ll always find a way to paint. But I hope your granddaughter makes good use of the materials, and makes you proud.
your painting is beautiful!!!
That’s a great painting!
I’m an artist working mainly in stained glass but this rotten disease has done away with my mojo ☹️. I think the problem for me is that I’ve always made work to sell but I need to just make work for my wellbeing. Once I get into a piece I really enjoy it but it’s the initial push/motivation that’s gone.
I’ll get there I know but pain is so preoccupying 🙄
I totally identify with that. Painting is an important income stream for me, too. One has to fund one’s habit!
I find that it’s often fatigue, rather than pain itself, which keeps me away from the studio. I try to do a short meditation which seems to help me to focus. Once I start, I am totally immersed and become unaware of the pain. The minute I stop, I realise that it’s bad. Probably worse, but it’s a price i seem to be prepared to pay. It’s so essential to the soul.
Wow. That painting is so good .
You are speaking my mind Jora / I love painting too . Nothing makes me relaxed like a good paint and sheaf of papers . I might be too tired to do everything else but I always have energy to paint for few minutes. I use watercolours , acrylics and gouache - couldn’t summon courage to use oils yet . Live in rented apartment and don’t want to dirty the carpet 😝
I am on Instagram as Siri.peri if anyone wants to see my work . I’d be very happy to drop in to see your work / sale !
Hi Jora, I have read your posts since I joined and sometimes replied when appropriate, however I’ve never seen one of your paintings, all I can say is stunning, so beautiful. I love gardening, but it’s getting more difficult, so some help from a gardener. All the best Jora x
Thank you. I had a large garden at my old house. Once I needed help, I felt it wasn’t really mine any more. I realised that I had a choice; garden or paint. Painting won. I’ve moved to a smaller house, extremely convenient for shops, transport, doctor etc. I have a courtyard garden and a studio at the other side of it. It’s not really large enough, but it’s a lovely space, opening onto the garden.
Sounds a wise move Jora. I have a very small garden, which I now find is more than enough. Iv been in this house 25 years, so many of the shrubs have been planted by me, they need constant trimming, also can’t manage the grass back and front, hence the gardener, he’s not the best. I have lots of containers and with help from my partner, we have separate homes, but all the design is mine. They have looked a picture this year. Just starting to get bored with the watering, hey ho ! must be done. I hope we see more of your paintings, they should be shared. All the best. G xx
I find using a magic expandable hose makes watering so much easier. It’s not worth getting a cheap one as they don’t last, apparently. Brass fittings are a good idea.
You may already have one!
amazon.co.uk/Suplong-Expand...
Thanks Jora, I do actually have one, a Hoselock, the first one I bought was a cheap one and as you rightly say, not worth having. Didn’t last the season. The one I have now, I’ve has for two years. I think it’s a case of needing to constantly water everyday or sometimes twice a day. When many days I don’t always feel quite up to it. It’s getting so dark quickly too. Hopefully more energy soon as the iron tabs work. X
Except for a few tubs and anything newly planted I only water my garden every other day. I read that this was sufficient so I was happy to adopt that rule! It only takes me about 8 minutes but, I agree, sometimes it does feel like a huge struggle. J
Love this Jo! Is it a recent one? Poss a result of your trip to the north/San Sebastián? Don't know if I'm correct but I see it representing my memories of that most beautiful of areas, moody cloud & sudden downpours then pure blue skies, brilliant sunshine & warmth... on repeat.
It's gardening that clears my mind. I go stir crazy when it's raining too hard to go out there. Loving my larger garden, it's starting to take shape now. x
You are right! Picos de Europa. I was very chuffed when a woman came to my open studio and hadn’t seen the catalogue. She looked at the paintings (3) and said “That looks like where I come from “. I squealed with delight when she said it was The Picos.
I loved gardening as well, but I couldn’t do both and now bending is really difficult; apart from very dodgy knees, it squeezes my lungs.
I’m glad your garden is taking shape. Designing a small courtyard one has been much like painting in 3D.
J x
I write - Have finished one book and working on a second... but have not found a literary agent, so just keep writing - your art is beautiful. I can paint too, but it take a long time for me to finish a picture...
I know a lot of people self-publish. Now, in the digital age, it doesn’t have the stigma that it used to. Good luck.
Thanks but most of that costs thousands and then if I DO get a publishing house interested they won't be if I have already self published 
Ah, I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t offend you. I know someone who used bookprinting and paid under 400 for 1,000 copies, professionally designed, but I totally accept your reservations.
I don’t use galleries any more . They take 50% + vat, and the artist has to pay for framing, printing, wine for PV. That means the works have to be so expensive that people I know can’t afford to buy them. It also puts one under a lot of pressure which I can’t tolerate now. I’m much happier having two open studios a year.
J
Love this atmospheric painting, you are very gifted. What medium did you use as it looks like oil. Or did you paint it before banned from using it.
It’s oil paint, water-soluble, so no solvents. It behaves much like traditional oil paints. I mainly use a make called Cobra. I can wear wrist supports and just rinse them under cold water and brush-cleaning is a doddle.
Thanks for that tip with oils Jora, I have always fancied trying oils, but never knew what to use with oils, so stick to acrylics, I am knew to acrylics as I use to always use pastels, the times I am not well enough to paint I go back to pastels.
interesting what you said about galleys too.
I always feel I am not good enough for galleries
so tend to hored my art, I have given some to horse charities but thata all I have done with them
Beautiful work! Captures RA pretty well, dark somedays, but always with hope the sun will break through. Perhaps I am superimposing my current state...
To answer your question... I took up quilt making and quilting. I have a room dedicated to my beloved sewing machine and my long arm quilting machine. It has given me a chance to DO something productive and worthwhile. I felt like I lost so much when I had to leave my career. It took a while to find a new purpose and sense of accomplishment. I firmly believe having something is the key to living happy with this dreadful disease.
Keep up the great work! It wonderful work and wonderful for you!
I just got back this weekend from spending a day in the beautiful Alberta Rockies. This painting reminds me of some of the beautiful colours and views.
I love painting and drawing. I haven’t been able to do anything for awhile. Sometimes I just push through the pain because it really does give me some peace.
I also enjoy yarn crafts when able.
I have played the violin and piano since I was a young girl but haven’t for a couple years now. 😢 my poor fingers/wrists
So nice to see your lovely work. Keep it up. It helps us to find joy and feel grounded and to remember we are more than our disease. Sometimes the harder we have to work for something the greater the rewards and satisfaction.
❤️♥️
I so agree. However modest, I think it’s very important
to find a purpose so that we aren’t defined by our illness alone. For some , this may be the family; grandchildren seem to be especially therapeutic. Sadly, I don’t have any ; no-one told me that children were a pre-requisite for grandchildren!
Beautiful. How can you paint with pain on your hands?! Do you sell your art?
I do. Fortunately my style is fairly loose so I am not concerned with absolute precision. My hands do hurt at times and then I usually wear a wrist/ thumb brace. Using water soluble oils means that I can then simply rinse it clean under a running tap. If my hands are too clumsy and painful, I sometimes use my right hand (I am naturally left-handed). So one adapts and does the best one can but really I am far less aware of the pain when I am painting I get so immersed in what I am doing.
Yes, I sell my art, now mainly through six monthly open studios in June and late November. Although one has to tidy the house, it’s far less pressure than showing in a gallery. And they take 50% + VAT commission!
Thank you for your interest.
I hope this is ok to ask Where are you located and your studios? Thanks
Of course it’s OK to ask!
I’m in West London. Chiswick to be precise. The next open studio is 22-24 November. If you’d like to be on the mailing list and receive more details, please pm me.
HelixHelix may be coming. Of course, you could visit at another time ( by appointment sounds so regal!) , but being between shows, There isn’t quite so much to see. J
Well I’m in Alberta Canada so I likely won’t be at one of your galleries. How do I pm you for info?
I think I’ve messaged you. If not, click on my image and it should give you an option to message. I’m about to get a new website , but my current one is joannabrendon.com. But don’t join the mailing list there. Just send me an email. Or find me on Instagram.
I’m hoping to go to BC, Canada next year - lungs permitting. Mainly Vancouver Island . Ideally, also up to Alaska.
My word is this your work jora fantastic which medium oils ,interested I paint in pastels
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I paint in oil , but since getting Interstitial Lung Disease ( thankfully a rare complication of RA), I’ve switched to the water-soluble ones. I also use acrylic, charcoal ( now with a mask). If you meant dry pastels (as opposed to oil ones) I wd have to wear a mask for those too. I used to use dyes and wax , but that medium is now strictly taboo. Even if I open all the studio windows and doors, the particulates remain in the air for a long time. The lung disease is progressive but I naturally want to slow that progression if I can. Thank you very much for your compliment. J
I think I have RA
think i will,
Please tell me what you think I should do?
Think I am crashing....
