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For Me, This is the BIGGEST Jackpot in 10 YEARS!!

G

gazelle

Guest
Some of my friends here may remember that I was once considered an "artist".. but after i fell in 2005, then had several back operations that went "haywire"; I lost a kidney, my spleen, the "cage" twisted and the screws came out... Then to make matters worse, I "Coded" for 25 minutes in 2009. Needless to say, I never picked up another paint brush for 10 years. I totally lost my profession, then due to the economy, Alan lost his construction job and we finally lost our house (which had been paid off prior to my fall). In summation, things were pretty bad while I fought back to regain my health.

Okay, I am so sick of that story too.. So fast forward to last May, when I tried to rekindle my painting and see if I still could paint. Since I had never had any lessons in my life, I thought it would be good to at least take one or two. Well, I did that but unfortunately I picked a teacher that failed to teach me anything new.. LOL So what, at least it got me to clean out my studio and start to practice again.

So, anyway, last month I took my new "Tablet" with some pictures of my work on it to a doctor's office and showed her my paintings. She said she really loved two of them and maybe another one, but when I told her the price, she said: "I'll have to think about it and let you know..." Well, when anyone says that, it generally means: "No thanks, I don't want to spend that kind of money." Right? Yea, that is what I figured, I wouldn't hold my breath. Then, this doctor mentioned that they, "were putting another "wing" on their office complex and perhaps one would look good in there.." I jumped and said, "I would love to hang one or two paintings in there if it was possible." Again, the doctor said, "I'll call you and let you know when we get it ready.'

So, two weeks ago I got a call from the doctor's PA and she said they, "would like me to bring some of my samples of my paintings for consideration."
WOW!!! I was so excited, after ten years someone might be interested in my work and maybe I could sell some of the 25-30 plus paintings I have done since last May.. LOL

I have been so nervous and filled with self-doubt, which is an Artist's basic religion, I might add.. Yes, it is, and I am a devout follower. After all, who wakes up at age 46 and decides they might be able to paint and then starts selling and getting commissions three weeks after they buy paints and brushes? So of course I had doubts, I also thought I had a brain tumor that might have triggered one of those mind-altering changes like speaking languages, talking in tongues, playing Beethoven without a lesson? Here I basically started to paint one day and three weeks to a month later I shut down my restaurant and had commissions, mural jobs and portrait jobs to keep our family "happy" and stress free.. It happened too fast, I hadn't earned it!
Well, that all came crashing down with my fall in '05. So now, 10 years later and older I was so afraid of anyone finding out I was a "fraud" since I never believed my newly found talent would last anyway. I thought I was a shooting star and just a dim one at that. And maybe I am but the thing is, the doctor did call to see my work..

And now, I am Sooo Happy to report that I met with her yesterday and she did "love" those two paintings that I showed her the pictures of, and she also liked another one for the "conference room." Then, she selected EIGHT more of my paintings, some of which she wants me to reproduce on larger sized canvases.
YES, she wants a total of 11 paintings, to start!!!
She also said she would be getting additional works also as soon as I got started on these, but, I have enough work now for a little while. LOL

Okay, I guess you know I'm pretty flippin' happy right now.

So, yeah, to me this is the Biggest Jackpot in ten years and a lifetime of doubts also!

May you all find some good news and rewards in your lives also. And if you ever had a dream that you could do something, don't doubt yourself, do it and don't ever stop trying!

gl n luv 2u'all2
Karen
 
dokken

dokken

Pickled Onion
I know how you feel, i was a very shy person, never good with words or talking to other people and kept to myself. When I did speak what came out of my mouth was not what I was thinking and was frustrating. It wasn't until 1998, when my cat Yum Yum was put to sleep did I feel a sense of verbally communicating what I thought. I went on to write my first poem ever, and then the words just came together. To this day I have written over 30 poems that spans my entire life that was kept inside. I didn't think anyone would appreciate what I was saying, but people did take notice and it made my life a richer one for being able to tell my story.

Good for you, and hope you have many more jackpots. Oh, and before you bite the dust, make sure you paint one for me and leave it in your will. You know what they say, an artist's work always goes up in value after they have passed away. lol
 
E

escortsu

New member
Wow a very inspiring story. I actually can understand, I too suffered a fall and the meds and the nerves injured have affected my "normal" life, sadly just as I was about to begin an olnine college credit accelerated course and begin training in a new field very different from anything I have ever attempted, and I am unsure if I can do the required steps to get there, and over 50 years old as well. As most people enter the field under 32. It would be no guarantee. This is scary.

After my injury my handwriting has become practically unreadable. I also have memory problems sometimes, which is a side effect of the nerve drugs. I have a lot of pain in my back. and had a spinal fusion 25 years ago which is now aggrevated and needs the hardware removed. UGH!!! I also have 3 herniated discs. I am stuck with the pain pretty much foever. This really can make a person not want to do anything. You get tired of telling the story, and tired of living it. Depression is yet another aspect of a post major injury situation sometimes.

It sounds to me as if you are kind of past a lot of the worst of the injury, which is how I feel about myself. I sometimes forget to"be present" in my life, instead of waiting for that thing later on. Or regrets for not having accomplished much. No children so I am driven to leave something behind that shows I was here. Perhaps this is a good thing. Maybe your desire to create art is similar to mine in a sense.

So I applaud you for what you have gone thru and you are still standing and are driven to create... Its like fate is telling you that nothing is gonna keep you down. Maybe some of your best work is yet to come. In that thought, I myself, have a little hope, as I too have an artistic side which really needs some structure and some basic learning.

Sorry your course wasn't very good. Even though I am unsure of your age, or location, I have some info which may be of some use to you. One day on television or somewhere I heard about some free PDF booklet, ( my HD died so I couldn't find the actual name sorry) I found this ebook called something like "freebies for people over 50" and I was delighted to learn that most Universitys and Local colleges offer a different path to a full degree if one wants or freedom to just take what ever courses they offer. Usually free or very very cheap.

In addition to normal school sessions and online courses, they also the ability to audit classes, ( attend and learn but not actually enroll ), ind an unlimited capacity. Basically they allow people to attend every class like an enrolled student and learn the same things but not as a registereand student. So I am thinking art classes would likely be awesome, and you certainly do not need a degree to create art. The biggest plus for me is that over 50 in the Continues Life Studies program ( again not positive if this is the actual name wording) ,there are no basic requirements, like math or english classes and no homework and no fees usually. Again for me this was the biggest plus!

On the outside chance you might find it interesting to know~
There is a very good summer course program for really anyone, as it is offered to all ages.This program is at Oxford College in England. Its not expensive considering what is included, and they do offer scholarships. I hope to try to attend some of their Art History courses next summer. The 2 week course I want to do is $1250. Even if I don't get a scholarship, this is a fair price for the experience I think


They have a live-in summer program that offers courses in 1, 2 3 or 4 week class groupings with a set curriculum which allows you to choose what you want to learn. I know there are quite a few Art related courses, I am unsure if they have Art as in actually producing artwork like paintings or not.

But the neat thing is you get to live in at the Dorms, eat in the Great Hall and attend classes on many subjects and lectures by some of the top Scholars and Educators. I have been looking into Art History courses, as I happen to have a famous painter in my family. My Great Grand Uncle Hans von Bartels. Hans was considered an important impressionist because he was the first impressionist to mix paint mediums, using water color with oils. My intention is to study about him if possible at Oxford, because they have some published papers about him, which to date, has been the only wource of info I have ever found that wasn't a copy and paste of the same information/

Hans' information regarding his background was published in 1913 by Encyclopedia Brittanica and sadly they got the wrong birth record and almost all information that is found anywhere, states ver batim the same misinformation. At first I thought perhaps my grandfather was mistaken about him, i have since learned my grandpa was his favorite nephew.

I have also used the art auction site thumbnails as a source to collect photos of his works. He actually studied and taught painting in Germany and Holland etc. I hope to correct the misinformation and discuss his subject studies in a book or paper about him. After finding some paintings I had no doubt this was a relative, as there are paintings of people whom are my family, though no one would know this based on the names. (i.e., Old Couple by the Hearth" this is a painting of Hans father or grandfather. I know because he looks exactly like my own grandpa. The subtle way he captures how the old man holds his feet, the big ears, the profile of the old man, the old woman sewing..... it was amazing to find a photo of.

Another is "Study of a Man Croutching" hans loved to paint men croutching... sounds weird to type it, but the men in my family do this... well my dad did, and my sisters son, the spitting image of one of the men croutching, and spitting image of my father. Its almost erie to see a painting from late 1800's that could pass for my 35 yr old nephew today. Having a photograhic memory I could actually compare the images in my head. This pose he captures I have many photos of my dad doing the same thing.

Anyway I am sorry I strayed off point a little, I tend to do that. The point is that you could probably attend some university art classes either free or cheap and find accellerated courses using the summer programs, if attending classes for a long time might be difficult. So I urge you to take as many courses as you can to offer yourself some choices in styles and basics. I would imagine a poorly taught course would not offer much inspiration. If nothing else start going to museums and studying the various styles of painting. Not necessarily the content, if you have limited resources availalbe or don't like the close by museum paintings. At least you can see their brush strokes and maybe through that you might be able to learn what you want to. Also I remember years ago beginner painting classes on PBS there are always classes on and many are of the Arts and Artists. I imagine the online courses could be another option.

After reading your story, I realized I too have somehow let my artistic side be put on hold. I write poety, and song lyrics, I have a talent for writing poetry that as a published writer friend of mine once said " The words you write, leap off of the paper, I have been writing over 25 years, I could never do what you can do. Writers wait their entire life to be able to do that" Coming from this person, who is very serious about writing and certainly doesn't offer complements very often, actually quite the contrary, as he is brutally honest. He is a perfectionist and would never blow smoke up my *ss. This was a major boost to my confidence. Confidence was always a weakness for me, though I hid it well most of my life.

To me my poems are mostly rhymes of heart breaks or loss. My Bi-Polar mental days, as I call them sometimes have me thinking in rhymes. I like poetry because its very easy for me. I think I over write everything else. I def talk way tooo much .... the above long reply... case in point!

Maybe you could post a picture of one of your faves!

Keep up the momentum and if you need a little boost, post here. It seems we are a family here that cares about people and seeing your post here shows that you trust us enough to share. This is literally the only place I ever post or read, well one other place too. Something about this site just makes me feel comfortable enough to share.

Kudo's to your Dr for the good sense to take you up on your offer to part with your works. I feel like I am inspired.

Thank you!

~Annie
 
E

escortsu

New member
Re Kitty

Re Kitty

dokken said:
It wasn't until 1998, when my cat Yum Yum was put to sleep did I feel a sense of verbally communicating what I thought. I went on to write my first poem ever,
Click to expand...

I have had this struggle too. I didn't do it in time and watched a 19 yr buddy pass away. It was awful. I really couldn't bring myself to bring him in I had this feeling like I didn't want to play God. Now I understand its more about comfort in their death. In contrast I had a kitty of 10 yrs wake up sick one day,( 28 little barf piles of white foam. It was weird) and the local money grubbing vet, wanted $1000 for tests etc, and when I didn't have it told me to drop him at the shelter they would put him down. He was very close to death, apparently the stomach acid was about to cause kidney failure )I went home researched the very disticnt symptoms, a very easy diagnosis. I figured I would try the human meds recommended on dozens of posts by vets, and if it didn't work at least I tried. I sat up all night giving him baby food and water in syringes, and two human drugs, I happened to have, by chance, on hand, and my Meaux in two days was like a kitten again. That was two years ago.

I hate my local vet, who yelled at me for giving the remedy that another vets would have told me to try, a vet doing clincal trials who I did see, whom said I did good, and my cat was in too good of health to participate ( 5 days after the day he got sick)

I use poetry to get through loss too. If you are into lyrics that seem to hit home for me anyway, try listening to some youtube videos by Blue October. The words that Justin the lead singer songwriter uses in songs are very inspiring to me on those days when the poetry seems to flow or I feel sad. I made a play list of songs that get me in the zone when I have a little trouble finding my words.

I am very sorry for your loss but through it you found your voice. It took losing a fiancee once, to a brutal murder to get me to really write better or maybe the word is write deeper thoughts. I have four note books full of poems. The early ones were nothing compared to the ones that resulted from loss. I would love to swap poems some day if you are interested.

~Annie

Speaking of cats, if anyone is in Southern California and wants a Bengal mix kitten I have 4!!! 3 days old. Ready for adoption in about 6 weeks. Google Silver Bengals and Charcoal Bengals and you will see what I have. Marbled and spotted grey/silver. Two are black tabby/marbling. Very cool kitties. Bengals have different likes and interests than other cats. They like to hang out on top of doors, they love to play in water, and can spring straight up to eye level from standing still. They over act and they are vocal. Amazing and pretty too.
 
G

gazelle

Guest
Thanks to all who have replied

Thanks to all who have replied

Thanks, to Connie (mrsbuda1); Kathy (krystalkitty); Diane (ggirl) who dropped a "g'; Cindy (Jas2587); Ann (dokken), as ALWAYS, you ladies have my back and applaud all my efforts and highs, as well as feel my pain and lend your heartfelt support. I LOVE you all so much!

A special welcome and thank you to a new friend and sister-in-spirit, Annie (escortsu). WOW! And I thought I posted a lot!!! LOL It is all good, darlin, and we are very, very kindred souls/spirits in our medical history, age, and our "artistic" abilities. I too started my "creative" side by writing poems, then writing lyrics to other peoples music, then I went on to screenplays (which ggirl can attest to..; luv ya Di, and thanks again for your praise and help before). So, I only started my painting when I was 46, so time is a'wasting, Annie, get out your paints and brushes.. especially since you have a great lineage to pull from. Unfortunately, I am the only "artsy" one in the family.
As far as taking any courses go, i will NEVER say i don;t need to learn anything, as we all can always learn something and i am no different. But for now, i will just DO IT, as they say and re-make my career as a "Born Again Artist", that is to say, not the religious kind, but one who really came back from the dead (for 25 minutes anyway). Although, I am definitely a "spiritual person!"

Good luck to you, Annie, and let us all know how your studies go. You should also post some of your favorite poems, I'm sure there would be a lot of members here who would appreciate them. Just bear in mind though, that if you do not see a lot of replies it may only be because this IS a gambling site and everyone may just be chasing a jackpot and can't stop to reply to anything! LOL So, never take a non-reply personally here. Besides, this forum is very newly upgraded and a LOT of former posting members have not even seen this yet. Hopefully, some of the other artistic members will be back soon, i.e., meki, imin2film, etc. et al..

Again, thanks so much for sharing and applauding my good fortune everyone, and I sincerely hope that you ALL have good karma, big jackpots and lots of laughter and love in your lives.

gl n luv 2u'all2
Karen

I've gotta go, I have 9 paintings to work on and finish working on the contracts too.. YIPES!!! I'm late, I'm late... said the Easter Bunny (or maybe it was the March Hare.. but for now, it is the GG gazelle :crazy: LOL)
 
G

gazelle

Guest
Escortsu

Escortsu

Annie,

So sorry, i posted so quickly that I forgot to mention that I think your great uncle, Hans Von Bartells was a wonderful artist and quite prolific also. I know the one painting, the portrait of Jan Willems always reminded me of Teddy Roosevelt. They could have been related! You know how it is, everyone has a double, and i think this was one of them.

I could go on an on about his work but again, i have a ton of things to get on with now.
Keep posting and feel free to Email me here anytime. But please be patient if you don't hear right back, although I am NOT a big player anymore, I am too often in my studio sun up to bedtime! Also let me know if and when you are able to receive any points, I'd be glad to send some to you too.

Karen

PS anyone who would like to see her uncles work, just google his name hans von bartells, then hold your chin up before it drops off your face.. LOL Awesome!
 
babyspet2

babyspet2

Pickled Onion
WTG GAZ

WTG GAZ

:booze:
gazelle said:
Some of my friends here may remember that I was once considered an "artist".. but after i fell in 2005, then had several back operations that went "haywire"; I lost a kidney, my spleen, the "cage" twisted and the screws came out... Then to make matters worse, I "Coded" for 25 minutes in 2009. Needless to say, I never picked up another paint brush for 10 years. I totally lost my profession, then due to the economy, Alan lost his construction job and we finally lost our house (which had been paid off prior to my fall). In summation, things were pretty bad while I fought back to regain my health.

Okay, I am so sick of that story too.. So fast forward to last May, when I tried to rekindle my painting and see if I still could paint. Since I had never had any lessons in my life, I thought it would be good to at least take one or two. Well, I did that but unfortunately I picked a teacher that failed to teach me anything new.. LOL So what, at least it got me to clean out my studio and start to practice again.

So, anyway, last month I took my new "Tablet" with some pictures of my work on it to a doctor's office and showed her my paintings. She said she really loved two of them and maybe another one, but when I told her the price, she said: "I'll have to think about it and let you know..." Well, when anyone says that, it generally means: "No thanks, I don't want to spend that kind of money." Right? Yea, that is what I figured, I wouldn't hold my breath. Then, this doctor mentioned that they, "were putting another "wing" on their office complex and perhaps one would look good in there.." I jumped and said, "I would love to hang one or two paintings in there if it was possible." Again, the doctor said, "I'll call you and let you know when we get it ready.'

So, two weeks ago I got a call from the doctor's PA and she said they, "would like me to bring some of my samples of my paintings for consideration."
WOW!!! I was so excited, after ten years someone might be interested in my work and maybe I could sell some of the 25-30 plus paintings I have done since last May.. LOL

I have been so nervous and filled with self-doubt, which is an Artist's basic religion, I might add.. Yes, it is, and I am a devout follower. After all, who wakes up at age 46 and decides they might be able to paint and then starts selling and getting commissions three weeks after they buy paints and brushes? So of course I had doubts, I also thought I had a brain tumor that might have triggered one of those mind-altering changes like speaking languages, talking in tongues, playing Beethoven without a lesson? Here I basically started to paint one day and three weeks to a month later I shut down my restaurant and had commissions, mural jobs and portrait jobs to keep our family "happy" and stress free.. It happened too fast, I hadn't earned it!
Well, that all came crashing down with my fall in '05. So now, 10 years later and older I was so afraid of anyone finding out I was a "fraud" since I never believed my newly found talent would last anyway. I thought I was a shooting star and just a dim one at that. And maybe I am but the thing is, the doctor did call to see my work..

And now, I am Sooo Happy to report that I met with her yesterday and she did "love" those two paintings that I showed her the pictures of, and she also liked another one for the "conference room." Then, she selected EIGHT more of my paintings, some of which she wants me to reproduce on larger sized canvases.
YES, she wants a total of 11 paintings, to start!!!
She also said she would be getting additional works also as soon as I got started on these, but, I have enough work now for a little while. LOL

Okay, I guess you know I'm pretty flippin' happy right now.

So, yeah, to me this is the Biggest Jackpot in ten years and a lifetime of doubts also!

May you all find some good news and rewards in your lives also. And if you ever had a dream that you could do something, don't doubt yourself, do it and don't ever stop trying!

gl n luv 2u'all2
Karen
Click to expand...
 
G

gazelle

Guest
Thank you Veebot ande babyspet2

Thank you Veebot ande babyspet2

Again, two good friends that have always been in my corner, Vee and Vickie. You girls are what makes GG "home" for me and many others. Thank you so much for caring enough to reply to this, I know you really mean it too.
May you both find and keep all the love, happiness and everything else good that life has to offer; you deserve it for being so good to others. That is what "karma" is and should only be about! Giving back the good to those who give it.

luv 2u'both2
Karen
 
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