Being ill, part of my healing journey involved regaining strength in my predominant right arm. It had lost considerable muscle mass, and I pushed through the pain each day, sketching basic shapes and lines that gradually evolved into more complex forms over time. This process led me to reflect on how integral continuous learning was to my artistic career - a realization I had somewhat overlooked before falling ill due to the overwhelming demands of running a business. With this newfound perspective, I committed myself during recovery to devote a couple of hours daily to studying art.
Charcoal and oil paints have become sources of immense pleasure for me - mediums I haven't dabbled with since childhood! The last time oils kissed my canvas? Well, when I was merely ten years old! It is genuinely ages ago now!
In essence, illness has brought clarity in recognizing art as a career and an ongoing process of learning new techniques while rediscovering old ones with newfound love. Realizing that being an artist is fundamentally about nurturing growth through constant skill development, it becomes easier to overcome personal challenges and remain devoted to delivering artwork capable of sparking joy and inspiration among those who engage with it.