The Eyes Have It

If Only I Had Known

Aging as an artist sucks. All the bits and parts of the body that we need to make art start breaking down. And in my case it seems that now that I have my voice, my skills, my confidence and my desire around art, this body is wanting to pump the brakes. Last year it was the broken wrist and this year my eyes have been complaining. Full vitreous detachment in both eyes leaving giant brown floaters that seem to land right in center vision. The blobs look like snot and block vision. I have named them Bob and George. When I paint or draw they give me eyeball hangovers. Also, I now have cataracts in both eyes. All the fun of the fuzzy with none of the reward. Not that there ever would be one.

Yet here I am. Still creating, doing my online work. Showing up for events and trying to keep the lights on. Literally and metaphorically.

I think about Monet and how he painted with only 7% vision at one point and think that he was one heck of a rock star. He didn't really fall into comfortable fame until his 60's so I am still hopeful. With everything coming at us in the world maybe this is a subconscious way of my body saying, "don't watch". Get off the internet.

But a good portion of my sales depend on my presence there. So I just plug away with this condition until surgery. Which at first I was resistant to but now I am hoping it comes soon as this is not easy. The art I am producing these days are painted on a whim and a prayer.

The moral of this story, is do not give up. Just don't. If you can't get around it or go over it, just get through it. Artists are more necessary now than they have been in a long time.

Still coaching and finding joy in helping others stay the course in their own lives as well. It gives me a sense of purpose.

I sat last night under a street lamp on a curb near my home holding a stranger while she cried. She was lost in her very bad day. I saw myself in her. Let's be as kind as we can. It's kindness that can bring people together and help us all heal. We never know what someone is going through.

Thank you for your continued support and purchases of my art. 39 years this year. Let's make 2025 count for something.