Progress Unfolding
Many thanks for all of your kind notes and best wishes for a swift recovery from my broken wrist and surgery. The outpouring of support was such a nice gift amidst this trying time. I am so pleased to report that surgery went well and my hard cast was swapped for a removable brace last week. I’ve started OT and I have a lot of work ahead to regain range of motion and strength. While I’m thrilled to now be able to tie my shoes and use a fork with my right hand, I was most eager to test my abilities with a pen and paint brush…and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I bought these bulbs knowing that I could gauge the progress of my recovery as the paperwhites unfold. Stage one accomplished, I look forward to the growth still to come.
Tips and Techniques– The best advice I can share this week is the advice I’m giving myself: take your time. Every line and stroke feels both familiar and new to me and I have to take frequent brakes to rest. Maybe that’s a good thing. It allows you to see things fresh each time you start again and to evaluate colors, values, and composition as you go. Enjoy it!
Drawn In 
Sending Best Wishes for a Speedy Recovery!!
Thanks Liz. The bones will take their time, but I can try to get the wrist moving. All good!
You are wonderfully courageous! May your recovery continue to be swift and strong.
I’m glad I could pick up the brush. I would have been quite disappointed otherwise. Much more improvement to go!
Fabulous. I’m so glad you are on the mend!
Thanks Cathy!
How lovely! You clearly are well on the way to a complete recovery. Enjoy the slower pace.
Will do. Small steps will lead to good places.
Jean, I am so pleased to know that your recovery is going well. I have been thinking of you and sending healing thoughts. And the bulbs are lovely!
Thanks for your support, Beth! I’m so relieved to see this progress. Recovery is work, so I’m grateful for the small gains each week.
Wow! You are coming back STRONG!!
Great job, Jean. ❤️❤️
Yay! Thanks for being there for me!
Way to go, Jean!
Thanks Dory!
Hurray, its lovely to see you are on the mend. All the best
Thanks Sheila! I appreciate your encouragement.
Great news from you, Jean. Lovely bulb painting.
Thanks Eileen. I look forward to seeing the bulbs grow and my wrist improve.
I am so sorry to learn about your mishap! I’m grateful you are mending so well. Take care,
Susan
Thanks Susan! I appreciate your well wishes!
Wonderful news, Jean, and a beautiful page! I’ve been missing your blogposts so this has brought a smile to my face today.
Thanks Lisa. It’s nice to reach this milestone!
Jean, you made my day with your lovely post! Your bulb drawings and lettering are as beautiful as ever! Keep resting. You’ll be back to normal soon! Keeping the prayers coming.
Thank you Elaine! I appreciate it. Slow and steady here.
What a beautiful way to track the progress of your healing. Your painting results look as wonderful as ever already!
Hi Carol Ann– I’m very grateful that I could handle drawing, painting, and text. The painting was the hardest– maybe that requires the most wrist. But I’m on my way!
Congratulations on your recovery. I understand you still have a way to go but gee one month and you are drawing & painting!!! Amazing. You go girl. And thank you for keeping us in the loop.
I’m thrilled and relieved, Pam. Wasn’t sure how long it would take before I could pick up a brush. Thank goodness for orthopedists and their support teams. I’ve had very good care and hope to continue to make steady gains.
What a wonderful way to test your progress! Brava…and I’m so glad you don’t have the huge cast any more!
Thanks Kate! I was SO HAPPY to ditch the heavy cast. Oouf– I’m surprised we haven’t invented lighter weight casts by now. Here’s to healing!
Absolutely excellent on all accounts, Jean! I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how wrist recovery was progressing. Didn’t realize you had surgery too! Good golly. Best of luck with OT. Determination is key in that department, as I well know from experience. Your bulbs are soooooo wonderful. You’ve still got it, but then again I knew you wouldn’t lose it ever!
I am very determined and motivated Barb. Thanks for your support! This first painting feels like a huge milestone and I’m grateful to be working my way back. Gotta get those tendons moving again, build the muscle that I lost, and work on strength. Onward!
Rock on, Jean! You are truly an inspiration on so many levels!
Inspiring! Keep healing….you will unfold beautifully just like the bulbs you are drawing.
Thanks Denee. That’s the plan!
Great news! You are progressing fast!
Long way to go, but I’m thrilled that the fine motor skills are coming back quickly. Thanks!
Sounds like you are moving right along, that is great. I love your bulbs they are wonderful, reminds me I need to go to the nursery before they are all gone. Hope your OT is helpful it usually is because it helps to not be afraid to push your injury a little more than is comfortable. Have fun drawing and painting again, I’m sure it is a relief to be assured that your talent has not abandon you. The muscle memory and love of the art never leaves. Cheers
Thank you for sharing your progress. Valuable insights and lessons and appreciate your candidness.
You’re welcome Susan. It’s nice to be back.
Thanks Georgia. OT will be very useful as I have a lot to work on. I am relieved that my art skills remain — I figure it will be good for the hand to do all the subtle things that come with making art (starting with the small spray bottle to wet the paints). Go get yourself some bulbs!
What a lovely way to track progress.
Thanks Sandi– I’m glad I saw the bulbs for sale and thought to work with them. It will be a nice way to mark time.
Dear Jean, I planted paper whites yesterday, too. As I watch mine elongate and open, I’ll think of yours doing the same and your wrist healing day by day getting stronger.
Perfect Judy! I hope you enjoy yours and I appreciate your kind thoughts.
What wonderful news, Jean. Everything that happens in our lives are moments that teach us something important. Keep it up!
Yes. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way, but I’m learning! Your recent nest drawing was terrific! I really enjoyed seeing it.
Not sure how I missed hearing of your accident and recovery. I am a subscriber. Be well.
Thanks Bobbie Jean. I appreciate reaching out.
Your work fills me with true joy. Thank you
So nice to hear Lisa. Thanks!
When I had surgery on my right hand, I did continue my watercolor class only using my left hand. what an eye opener, my painting was more relaxed and a different part of my brain got new jog. Give it a try. janice fleetwood-bean
Hi Janice- I did use my left hand for a couple of pages recently and you’re right– it gave my brain a workout. I can’t say I want to continue, though it was a worthwhile exercise.
Great advice and the benefits are evident. I wish you all the best for a continued speedy recovery
Thanks for your support!
What a comeback! I always look forward to your weekly posts. Beautiful bulbs.
Thanks much Caroline. It’s good to know my hand works.
Such a great way to measure your progress, with lovely flowers and healed bones to look forward to! I look forward to seeing the journey to blossoms and wellness. Our bodies want to heal and plants want to grow; nature (including us, of course!), is miraculous 🙂
and by the way, it looks like you’re getting a typing workout, too!
I could barely type until about a week ago. All slow left-handed hen picking. Good of you to note the workout.
Yes, indeed Cathy. I look forward to seeing the blooms and to seeing a greater range of motion and strength. I need my wrist!
Beautiful! And hopeful. Thank you for your dedication to painting, and to sharing.
I appreciate your feedback. Thanks!
I’m so glad your healing is progressing nicely. Prayers for continued good progress.
Slow and steady!
Just gorgeous. So glad you are healing and finding your pen and paint again! I have missed the inspiration from your work and am so glad you are able to send it out into the world again!!
Me too, Mary Beth. We’ll see how the days and weeks progress, but I’m glad to have made this significant step forward. Thanks for your support!
Congratulations on the progress of your recovery! This is truly beautiful, and I’m welcoming back your lovely images to my inbox. One of these days I may get up the courage to take a beginner’s course with you. Wishing you continued healing!
Hi Beverly- Thanks for being in touch and sending your encouragement. It would be fun to have you take a class sometime– some people start with courage and some without it– you mainly need to embrace learning and trying something new. Until then, let music and other things be your muse!
Oh hurray – you’re back! I’ve missed you, as obviously so many others have.
As short story: My friend, Kathy (whom you’ve taught in a class here in Anacortes), fell and broke BOTH of her wrists. As she was being helped to stand, her first comment was “Oh no! I’ll never be able to paint again!” Her very loose Christmas card, a few months later, was a loose beauty!
All my very best wishes to you.
Hi Melissa- I can’t imagine breaking BOTH wrists! That is horrible. I hope Kathy is progressing well and that art is helping her along the path of healing. Give her my regards! Thanks for your good wishes. Some days are better than others, but that’s normal and I think the worst is over. Onward!
What a cool idea. I am sorry to hear about your surgery and broken bones. To quick healing and small steps.
Thanks Lisa. Small steps it is.
Seriously? I sure can’t see any difference! But you obviously feel a great deal differently, from what you say. Your advice is hard-won, I’m sure, and it’s good for all of us to think about from time to time. I really like the timeline you added to this sketch. Can’t wait to see more of these little green engines! 🙂
Congratulations on being patient and recovering well. 🙂
Thanks Linda! Two steps forward, one back. Aches and small gains. I’ll get there. I just need to be patient while my bones do their thing and I work on the tendons. Is a hand sketch in my future?
🙂 I bet it is!
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