Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Please jump for me -- one year today since I had to stop!

Bring the joy in!
(final version)
Acrylic on canvas
16 x 20 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015

Go ahead put on a super dancing record, and
dance your head off for me please.  I hurt
my right knee badly one year ago, tense about
a relative who'd been in hospital that day,
very cold -- 30 below zero Celsius, and a
massive biting wind -- my knee snapped!

Should this happen to you, don't get on
your friend's treadmill (I did, really bad idea),
and don't pay attention to emergency room
doctors who say it's nothing.  Pain counts.
It is a big something.

Months of medical chats, and my own
research eventually got to the reason
 -- a torn meniscus, torn ligaments, and by
 then 6 months later -- the same damage in
the other knee, just from the stress of the
first injuries.

As for art, I kept on going.  In fact I
travelled more for art in 2015 than ever
before in my life (New York, Paris, New York,
Florence, Paris).  And in July, after two
MRI's, saw a surgeon who said I was doing a
great job (apparently going to gorgeous European
cities, and New York helped), and I will be all better
in 1 1/2 years.  Now that it's January, that's just
under a year away.

Now I can dance again (sort of), walk a distance with
lots of breaks to sit down, and do most of
what I did before.  Stairs are still a problem.
But worst of all I can't jump (yet), (and I love jumping).
So if you've read this far put your hands in the air
 and jump for me.
Santa Maria Novella
one of the exquisite churches I saw in Florence 
when I showed at the 2015 Florence Biennale
You can get there by taxi, if walking is
a problem. ;-)
Do it and enjoy that wonderful feeling of
lift off! (You're right, that's probably why
I went on so many planes this year and loved
being way up in the air.) In fact if you caught
this via Facebook, send me a photo of you
jumping.  That will make me so happy.

Have a going for the jump day.

10 comments:

Wendy Barrett said...

Oh, how painful that injury must have been for you Barbara. Sorry to hear it has been such a long road to recovery for you.
Love this painting - just gorgeous!
I hope you are jumping again very soon!

cohen labelle said...

I'm totally seduced by your use of colour. For that reason alone I'll consent to do a perfect quarter inch jette off the ground while holding my beloved 30-odd-year old sable, kolinsky brush, on your behalf. I can feel my spirits lift and mood lighten already.
xo, Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Wendy,

Yes it was, and the work to get an accurate diagnosis
took 6 months! However the surgeon I met at Toronto Western
Hospital was great and I started walking and feeling so
hopeful after seeing him -- and no surgery! Glad you like
the painting, I am really enjoying your book. So inspiring.
Just quit a novel to read it, and I always finish one book
at a time. I was looking for something with energy and
drive and yours is riveting.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

I don't know what to be more impressed by -- your perfect quarter
inch jette, or the fact that your brush is 30 years old, whatever
the material and brand! My brushes are jealous. They are notoriously
badly treated. Glad you like my colour and you have lightened
my spirits immensely.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Wendy Barrett said...

I'm so thrilled to hear that you are enjoying my book so much Barbara!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Wendy,

Yes I am. I'm trying to tear myself away from it to
paint! You are such an amazing person. It's wonderful
reading a book about someone I already consider a friend.

Awesome.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Karen Bruson said...

Kicking up my heels for you!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

Thanks so much! Please send me a picture! That would be lovely.
Love all of your work. I am always so delighted to see your
paintings. Thank you!

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Verna Vogel said...

Holy cow, I did not realize your knee was so busted-up. Your painting is beautiful. I sort of know what you mean about jumping - I keep a skipping rope in my studio, it's a great way to take a break, warm up, get the blood pumping. I did jump for you without the rope and it felt very fine. One year and hopefully you'll be jumping again yourself!

xoxoxo
:)
V

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Verna,

Thank you for the jump (I would love a photo of that!) (Please). From all the people who've written in with damaged knees, I'm not sure I'll get back to the jump,
but oh boy the urge is there.

Yes I really hurt both of my knees, but they are for the most part
healing slowly.

I love the work you've been doing. So inspiring.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!