Let's Fly

I made this 6x6 collage for a class I'm taking called Resilience Through Art, taught by Lani Gerity, art therapist, leader of the 14 Secrets for a Happy Artist's Life group I'm in and a wise, wonderful artist. Our challenge for the week was to create a piece of art based on a resilience strategy; mine addresses more than one - voice your wishes, take charge of life whenever you can, look for good things...

Living with a chronic illness has a unique set of challenges, maybe the same ones everyone faces, just amplified a bit. Springtime is so beautiful, but for me, it brings barometric pressure fluctuations that yank me around like a theme park ride. And I'm really trying to get off the prednisone that has fueled me through the last four years. Lower energy and higher pain levels make every day daunting... I think about what I used to accomplish in a day's time, now  spread it over a week, and shake my head. Well, nobody likes a whiner and I'm not wallowing in self-pity, but every now and then I feel the need to bring it up; it's a huge part of my life and I've heard from so many others who face the same issues on a daily basis; it helps to have someone you can relate to. So, if one person reads this and nods in acknowledgment I'll be happy.

Art is universal, so I hope the collage stands on its own as a piece of art. It was very gratifying to make, from color choice (thanks Pam:) to finding images that expressed the right message along with supporting elements. I had fun in the Altered Attic, played and enjoyed the process and I'm happy with the results. I think the resilience strategy best expressed is: look for the good wherever possible.  The birds might not be flying but at least they are out of the cage.