There are a few things I have learnt during this first week of chemotherapy
like it turns out that it is much harder to paint lying down than you would think
and I am only able to be upright for about 15 minutes at a time
which is putting a serious crimp in my need to create
so I madly attempted to do it propped in bed
you are shaking your heads in awe that someone with my track record
for spectacular uncoordination even attempted such a thing, but I did
It is a miracle the dog, bed and I aren't rainbow hued
and the few teeny tiny splatters were all worth the mental therapy they provided
having said that I can see lots of drawing in my future and
and as I get more used used to the routine of it all
and I will be making the most of my upright time to paint
because I think the chances of the bed and dog
coming away unscathed from a second attempt may be slim
But all that considered I am quite pleased with the sketchy little number I managed
and I can't wait to get in and paint it on a larger scale on some great paper
I also learned that it is possible to sleep for a ridiculous number of hours in a day
All I do is sleep... like hours on end sleep
I even managed to sleep through the house next door being moved yesterday
I went to sleep and the lovely old heritage home was on the middle of the block
and woke up with it up on new stilts right next door waiting for its renovation
didn't hear a bleedin thing
impressive right
I also learnt that the dog is an excellent little heatpack for aching bones
that cupcakes made by your daughter's sweet sweet friend Liv to cheer us up are more delicious than almost anything else I have eaten this week
that I have the most supportive and wonderful friends and
letters, notes, emails and thoughts just keep coming and have been so welcomed this week
and I also found out that being sent a pack of grow your own boobs
from Sandra who totally gets my sense of humour
can make you laugh until you hiccup and feel like you are going to throw up... in a good way
all priceless things to learn
and with that my friends I have used up 3 of my 15 minute upright increments
so I am off for yet another epic nap
happy paint party friday to all ...xx
74 comments:
You are amazing. Love the roses and their blue bottles and love that you are making ME laugh! Hugs and much love to you.
I've been missing in comment action for awhile but following your progress. I'm thrilled that you're keeping your good humor and that you're being so well cared for. You deserve every sweet cupcake and hug and cooked meal (by Sinus of course). You're often in my thoughts as I hope you're doing well and taking very good care of yourself.
You are well aware of all the wonderful blogging buddies you have - hope you count me among them. Take good care! :)
sure miss you but you just keep on getting well, day by day,
My poor Trace, trust you to try and paint in bed, poor Sinus will wake up and be technicoloured!! Make sure you don't put too much fertiliser on those grow your own boobs, they are big enough already, not that I'm jealous or anything!! Take it easy my friend, just think, you'll sleep through the whole of next doors renovation and it won't drive you nuts with the noise. There's always a silver lining to everything. Your flowers are absolutely gorgeous, love those blue bottles.
Keep smiling, sending lots of hugs.
Von xx
Chemo sure takes it out of a body...still, you feel the need to create and do!!!! The roses are super lovely...you are amazing!!! xxx
Tracey ~ sending you lots of healing hugs and your art work is exquisite ~ carol, xo
I find you totally amazing. I'm so glad I met you. The painting is fantastic. I keep wanting to touch those blue bottles to see if they are real. I love those old blue bottles.
Yep... Little furry dogs are great heat pads. I will continue to pray for your healing. You are in my thoughts.
You remain quite the woman in my books - even if you have blorange splatters all over your sheets and dog now. I know you do, you're just not telling us the whole story!;-) This sketchy painting is pretty amazing... even if slow, you have not lost your touch. (Unlike yours truly who is totally and completely in a creative FUNK!:-/)
Beautiful painting, Tracey! You're amazing! Just remember: all that sleeping means your body is healing! You'll be back to normal in no time! Hugs, Cindy
Nothing can keep a sweet spirit down! Your amazing creative spirit will soar and lift you up ...obviously you have shown us "where there is a will, there is a way"
Keep those wings spread... Beautiful work as always... 💗💗💗
Love You Tracey!
You are amazing. I'm sure dog has no complaints about having a nap buddy. Sounds like all are taking great care of you. Rest well, paint and draw when you can and eat huge amounts of chocolate and drink gallons of tea. Thinking of you! M..x
I haven't been following blogs this summer and was shocked when I clicked on. I adore your roses and that gorgeous blue color. I love your open and free style and those colors! I'll be thinking of you and cheering for you.
Oh, Tracey! You will have this painting lying down thing licked in no time--well, propped up in bed, I should say. I can't believe how beautiful these are. You could always do some sketch journaling, too.
Sleep is the very best thing you can be doing right now...well, and eating delicious cupcakes. ;) Best to you, my dear!! And your precious family for taking such good care of you. :)
if i could expect anyone to do masterpieces while being poisoned to life it would be Tracey Fletcher king .. No doubt in my mind. You are the master! At least you didn't sleep through your own house being moved! That would be mad indeed. Hugs and health to you!
I love you!!! Your tenacity and state of mind will get you through everything you may encounter woman! Sleep is good and to have dog as the heating pad is a special touch. Beautiful roses, beautiful you.
Stunning flowers Tracey! Love that you are keeping your humour in light of all you have on your plate! Worse comes to worse you end up with beautiful tye dye sheets and rainbow Mishu!!Always a joy to see you here!
Sending love and healing thoughts!
Big hugs Giggles
You still have the amazing healing power to make others laugh even with all you are going through! Gentle hugs!! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina ♥
Grow your own boobs- best thing I've ever heard of! I must admit I was kinda sad reading this post because I am afraid you don't want to rainbow color the dog- I just might have to color my dog rainbow colors now that you've planted that seed in my head...hugs and healing!
This is beautiful, Trayce, and thanks for sharing your 15 minutes of time with us all. I'm glad I didn't hear of grow your own boobs when I was a flat chested teenager! Blorange is still a powerful combination for you -- love the energy that shines in this piece.
Girl, your painting in bed is crazy good! Sure wish I could send over dinner or chocolate.
Wishing you all good things in your recovery.
xoxo
lynn
So glad to hear things are moving along in the order they should, and that you are still in good humor even when terribly tired. But your body needs all that sleep to recuperate properly. Your glass bottles & roses are incredibly lovely.
I have obviously missed an important chapter. . .my thoughts and prayers are with you & your family!
dana
I have obviously missed an important chapter. . .my thoughts and prayers are with you & your family!
dana
What a lovely way to spend your 15 minutes of upright time. It's so lovely as is that I can't imagine how it will look when you can give it your full attention. Hang in there. I am sending warm thoughts and hugs your way!
Trace, so good to know you are still painting in spite of the circumstances in which you find yourself at the present time. Lovely little doggie, so loyal and loving to lay beside you and keep you company even at the risk of being rainbow colored. Keep getting your rest, painting and getting better! Lovely flowers in blue bottles! (((hugs)))
i wish i was a funnier person, i would send you something to make you smile. oh well. I will be me and send you light and love from my heart to yours.
your painting is gorgeous! the colors, the glass, whoa!
You have captured the clarity and beauty of blue glass, and set it off so well with the orange roses! And all this while standing on your head while sleeping through chemo balancing a hot dog eating a cupcake named Liz? Gosh, you are talented! But then we all knew this. I hear chemo makes you hallucinate things like houses lifting off the ground and rolling down streets too! Sleep well sweet princess!!! HPPF!!
Hi Tracey. I am amazed at your sense of humor. Keep getting well and am sending you lots of healing thoughts and prayers. Love your bottles, great job. That blue is awesome. Take care of yourself. Thanks.
gloria
Beautiful, vivid painting, awesome how you caught the feeling of glass!Love your art and love how you always make me laugh! Hugs and take care, napping is good! <3
Hi Tracey, so glad to see that your up an about, if only for 15mins. Look what Leonardo did for the Sistine Chapel while flat on his back...your up there with the greats girl... :) How does the grow your own boobs work? Do you have to start from scratch or can it be applied to knat bites in the hope that one day they will grow to a C cup. An ample B would be fine too... :)
Absolutely love these cheerful bright flowers and vases! And I'm so glad you found a way to keep painting, never mind about the state of the bed. I'm sure all the sleep is doing you loads of good. Take care xx
Nothing seems to hold you back! I can't believe you managed to paint this beauty with all that you're dealing with....kudos to you, Trace! Enjoy all the sleep time as your body needs it. All the best with your continuing recovery...healing vibes headed your way. xo
Beautiful painting! So glad to hear that your sense of humour is intact as well as your creativity. Enjoy the cupcakes, sleep well, and take good care of yourself!
You are a case and one helluva woman Trace...you do know that don't you?
Painting whilst lying in bed?!!?
Brought to mind Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel ;D
I wouldn't be surprised if your ceiling was next! Watch out Sinus.
Fantastic blooms and the blue glass bottles are brilliant. I love them.
Take care, lie back, relax and get well soon.
Hugs (((♥)))
beautiful painting..now is the time to relax while your body gets through this difficult time..hugs and prayers
It's the zest for the things that we love that keep us going like your need to paint in bed. Amazing! It's beautiful! Take your rest as you need it and squeeze in your bits of joy when you can. Slowly they will grow.
Take care.
Tracey - - - (((((hugs))))) I would add more squeezes to that hug but I don't want to break you. Seriously, your sense of humor through this all has been inspirational. Pamper yourself, sleep often, and remember that across the miles I'm thinking about you. xo Lori
The colours are as always stunning! And I can see you with your wonderful doggie keeping you warm and the paints teetering on the edge of spilling and turning your duvet into a rainbow. You know how much I am rotting for you here across the sea. Love ya gal.Happy PPF.
You are most amusing always and especially now since you are going through this horrific stuff. I am inspired to truly appreciate the everyday a bit more because of you. Love the painting and let us know how the grow your own bobbs thing works out! Could be a new trend! What a great friend. xox
I'm just imagining you and the multi-coloured mutt snoozing together on your now multi-coloured sheets, hahaha! And that blue is going to stain that little white dog to buggery! He'll think he has turned in to one of those show poodles!! I am amazed you managed to paint this in bed!!! You put me to shame! How can I possibly plead a shortage of time after this??? Well, all I can say is your creative flare remains intact, even if lefty doesn't! :0)
I'm in a field in the middle of nowhere, but had to comment. you are an amazing lady (and also slightly mad) and I'm so glad to see you've kept your sense of humour. Look after yourself and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next time you wake up. x
I loved your bottles and roses. Sending healing your way. Hugs.
Kate
...thee art a star! ~ keep up that awesome humour! ~ we all love yoU! ~ blessed be! ~ mine dear neighbour friend!...(O:
I can envisage you getting so damn good painting on your back that we'll be saying "Move over Michaelangelo ...Tracey will finish the Sistine Chapel for you"!!!
I prefer roses to cherubs any day!!!
Great attitude Tracey... we're all with you, sweetie!
Lots of hugs Jo x Smiling from Liverpool, England.
yep, definitely time for a bed on stilts so you can paint the ceiling (you can borrow from the house next door!)
Beautiful roses in the blue bottles, love this!
Remember Frida Kahlo. She had a mirror put up om the 'roof' of her bed so that she could paint, and that was with oil paints. Perhaps she sold the bedsheets as abstract works of art. So there's a challenge for Sinus, to glue a mirror to the ceiling.
I feel for you with those long sleeps, but at least they are getting you better. I admire your spirit as always. We're both thinking of you. XXX
Remember Frida Kahlo. She had a mirror put up om the 'roof' of her bed so that she could paint, and that was with oil paints. Perhaps she sold the bedsheets as abstract works of art. So there's a challenge for Sinus, to glue a mirror to the ceiling.
I feel for you with those long sleeps, but at least they are getting you better. I admire your spirit as always. We're both thinking of you. XXX
Oh Tracey, I am so sad to hear your process at this time...yet elated to feel your Spirit - one of love, sharing, community, joy, upliftment, seizing, relating, reaching. I am so overjoyed to feel your presence at this time, to sense your aliveness, to hear your UGH's and YUK stuff...you are an ambassador my lovely, a soul warrior who can teach through your honesty. You are the trinity of your art...the Mind, The Body and the Soul...(We all have our personal Trinities!) My heart is with you, as are my big prayers. Your art is forever beautiful...I love your sketches! xox HPPF
You amaze me.... sleep lots and take it easy, get better as fast as you can. Love and hugs Karen x
Tracey,
So glad you are able to get in a bit of creative time, even if it is spent mostly prone. People who are truly creative NEED that outlet to live well. Sounds like the dog is doing his part, friends and family are supporting you like crazy, all good stuff. Were the cupcakes chocolate?? I think all calories should be chocolate flavored.
I'm continuing to pray for you in this journey. It's wonderful to receive your updates and know that you are able to keep your spirits and paintbrush up in this time.
Totally good to see you blogging, and I would never have guessed you did the painting at an angle. (oh no, does that sound like I think all your paintings are at an angle!!!) Anyway, keep up the good work with the Zzzzzz zone, you are fighting whilst you sleep, go girl we are all behind you.
Good vibes coming your way as always :)
Tracey, your bottles are beautiful. I have blue bottles on my window ledge in the kitchen. I love the way the sun shines through glass and you have done a great job of showing that. You have a huge number of blogging supporters who love you. Many of us are remembering you in our prayers.
Oh, this is so amazing and gorgeous! Enjoy your nap, and keep doing your wonderful art. Hugs!
All i can do is repeat what everyone else here has said-you are amazing Tracey. I honestly think creating any sort of art would be the last thing on my mind if I was going through chemo -hell, I even use a lack of sleep the night before for not getting my paints out the next day! This little painting is gorgeous and I'd never have known you did it in bed! I hope the chemo does its job soon and you get your energy back so you can get on with those mug shots! ;0)
Your flowers are STUNNING and you are an amazing woman! Love that you still have your sense of humor! Hang in there!
Happy PPF!
Heather Santos
Sparrows Journey Blog
Ahh, lovely lovely lady. Reading this, I am amazed at the acrobatic antics of my insides. My heart skipped and squished and my tummy twirled & tightened. And all with love & support & memories resurfaced & quieted with the pride with which you are dealing. I wish I could hug you for real and peck your cheeks. Sleep is incredible isn't it, lol. Sleeping through a house move is epic. Bravo that aritst! Now move over, you've made me tired, zzzzzz ;0) xx
Oh Tracey I'm sorry to hear you've had to have chemo. I think your flowers are amazing! And your ability to blog about it even more so! I love a good splatter myself. Not that I can see any on your gorgeous work. Sending you warmth thoughts and much love. I pray you bounce back to feeling well again quickly x
I think this painting is totally wonderful in every way, bright, loose, cheery,..... then to hear you painted it less than upright.... Amazing! Keep recovering!
Grow your own boobs!!!? That would make me laugh as well. There is something about a smile and a laugh that goes right from your lips to your heart. And your heart is a good one. The flowers in the bottles are lovely - but your heart is lovlier (sp?) Anyway enough mush - paint, sleep, laugh and heal - my prayer for you.
As everyone has said before me you and your work are both amazing. The blue bottles and orange flowers are incredible! You are in my thoughts and prayers each day.
Love , love, your bottles and flowers! The naps are good for you so keep doing what you need to to feel better My prayers are with you too"
It's great the you are sitting up, painting! And what you have created is absolutely beautiful, as always! Tracey, I'm sorry about the chemo,but so happy to see your cheerful self winning over everything! Here are my best, best wishes to you!
Thank you so much for taking some of your precious 15 minutes to connect with all of your supporters, Trace. I can imagine how much the effort wears you out, so know that it is very much appreciated.
Your Propped Period Painting No. 1 is sensational! Truly stunning!! You are amazing to even make the attempt! So now I'll think of these bed paintings as your Chemo Phase. Because famous artists always have "periods," don't they? But if it's okay, I prefer the word "phase" instead. Isn't that a good word? Like period it is a transitory word which implies a thing that is here now, but it will end, and then it will be looked back on. Like your treatment, it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. When we encounter the ruts in the road of our lives, we like to be able to see that there is smooth pavement in the distance.
Sleep is your friend right now, don't fight it, honey child. Be one with the dog. You know what dog spelled backwards is ... I'm just sayin'.
Okay, I've used up 11th of your time, like the pig that I am. You're on my heart and in my prayers! Love, Darnell
Love your roses and that blue bottles are so beautiful.Take Care and remember tons and tons of prayers are being sent for you.
Susan
Amazing you did this propped up in bed. I so admire your ability to still make people laugh despite the hard time you're going through. Love that "grow your own boobs" present ... ;-) Keep courage!
Hello! :D I haven't been around lately but I wanted to say I have been seeing your lovely art work on fb here and there. Hope you are okay. Lovely flowers and beautiful colors! :D Big hugs!
It's good to know that you continue to work on your beautiful artwork, even if you have to do it in bed with your sweet dog. Take care of yourself and may you be completely healed soon. Blessings, my friend!
Well - I just learned that you are a super fast typist to compose an entire blog post in 3 minutes!! Hugs to you- all of us in Blogland are thinking about you!!
Tracey, you are bloody amazing! I bow to you. Your resolve and sense of humour, not to mention that gorgeous painting, are amazing. Maybe multi-coloured mutts and bedsheets (and husbands?) are the new trend and you're ahead of the game.
Sandra's grow your own boobs...hilarious!
I am so proud of you working around your challenges, it is absolutely the Best. You are certainly a blessing to me. I thought at first your painting was Great Wall Art, then I realized it was on your 'page.' The reason is I'm looking to do something else with that living room I redecorated this Spring. I have painted murals on ALL my walls wherever I have lived except here! Prayers and Blessings, Janet PPF
Tracey, When I was flat on my back for two years with pain and exhaustion I started using W/C pencils and inktense sticks and then used water only to mix them, with a water brush. It wasn't the same as watercolors per-se' but oh boy did it lift my spirit to see color and water on paper. Ended up making a lot of cards.
Those bottles are amazing. Really do mean that - not a glib comment. What a fantastic painting!
Hard to imagine what you are feeling like, just know what others say about chemo. Glad the little dog is helping you with his hot war bottle technique.
Take care sleep as much as you can, sleep is a great healer.
Thinking of you
Neet xx
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