Art and me (M.E.)

When I was in my last two years of high school, I went to a Christian boarding school. It wasn't a super strict school, however, there were lots of rules as well as a dress code. I remember one day walking past a friend's art class ( painting and drawing) and noticing how informal it looked. People were painting, walking around and socializing, and my friend was standing there in bare feet!!! I went in and visited for a minute (the teacher didn't seem to care) and decided that the next year I would take painting and drawing.

Now let me back up a bit to give you some insight into how strange a move this was for me.....I hated painting and drawing!! I grew up in a family with three brothers, two of whom were VERY artistically talented. My oldest brother ended up with a degree in fine art, and my younger brother was so talented that at the age of four (rather than stick figures with those giant heads that most 4 year olds draw) he was drawing full fledged people with facial expressions, muscles, and "in action". Whenever I sat down to draw I was intimidated to say the least. And I was often disappointed with the outcomes of my efforts - things never looked like I wanted them to.

So in my senior year (grade 12) I did take that drawing and painting class and for the first time, I started to enjoy doing art. The teacher was an excellent teacher (and a super nice guy). He taught us all kinds of techniques to use (that I still find myself using). I learned about perspective and how to see things differently. I learnt some about light and shadow. And I learned a little about colour. I gained confidence and most importantly realized I liked to draw and paint!

Of course my passions and good fortune led me to a career in outdoor/experiential/environmental education. But after becoming ill, I started to occasionally take up art again. I by no means think of myself as a talented artist. But (sometimes) I enjoy doing it. And maybe one out of every 25 pieces I make (printmaking or watercolour painting) I'm happy with. I think when you suffer something as life-changing and challenging as this illness, it's nice to have a creative outlet.

So this winter I signed up for a once a week art course. However, I've been mostly house bound for the last two and 1/2 weeks so I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to go (it starts next week). It's been a really tough few weeks for me. My worst crash/relapse since last winter/spring.

For example, I had to take a half hour rest last week:
-after doing the dishes even sitting on a stool
-after taking a bath

The flu/malaise was so severe I really wondered how I wasn't dying.
I mostly laid in bed or on the couch the last 2 1/2 weeks.
For a week I had some serious blisters in my throat making eating/drinking hard.
At my Dr. appointment evidently I had a low-grade fever and some swollen glands (which is part and parcel for how it goes when I'm in a crash - my case of M.E. is very viral)

Just yesterday and today, however, I've felt the severe M.E. easing up.

So today I tried painting (without much success, but I'll post here anyways). It's a card with chickadees.

I'm also posting a photo of my favourite nearby park where I love to take my dog for a walk when I'm up to it. It's nice because it's so beautiful, there's a creek running through it, I can have the dog off-leash, and short-walk options are available.

What are your creative outlets when you have the energy (or don't)?
Do you think there is healing power in tapping into creativity?