I don't know if any of y'all are interested. Outside of family, I've only shown this to Mandy. Her comments bolstered my courage. Back when I was exhibiting at wildlife art shows, I would share my paintings with thousands of people a weekend - but this is different. Frankly, I was chicken to show anyone.

Most of you know that I was a professional wildlife artist until MS (multiple sclerosis) brought that to a screeching halt 4 years ago. I lost control of my right side for a bit, and was unable to walk, let alone paint. My right arm and hand still spasm outta the blue (kinda like when you're falling asleep, and your leg jerks). Both of my arms, legs, hands, feet, and upper back are asleep. So, I didn't have the guts to try to paint again under those conditions. I can't feel the brush, so I have to paint with my one good eye. The right one is toast from the MS.

Well, I designed a huge studio in the house that my husband and I built. I finished painting it and decorating it with all of my reference materials. There was nothing left to do but try it out! So I gave it a shot. At one point, my arm did spasm, and I flipped my paintbrush across the studio. I just cracked up laughing, retrieved my brush, and fixed the boo boo. What was I afraid of?

Anyhow, this is a 20" x 16" oil painting entitled "Facing Her Reflection". It took months to paint it because I average 3 or 4 hours per square inch.



A close up:


As Mandy says "Please be kind". I'm a little insecure about this.

That is gorgeous! It makes me want one of your paintings.

Very introspective title. That could be any person or any animal looking at themselves and wondering. I think it being an animal brings a more honest and innocent feel to the painting. What would be neat is if you do another view of the same thing and it is actually a little boys unknowing face looking into the water and seeing a tiger looking back; Animal spirit kind of context perhaps.

I cant help but wonder who here is actually facing what reflection exactly...

It is beautiful. I dare say that if you are able to let your gift show through such adversity, you are certainly meant to shine.

We shall call you Dizzy the painter who is henceforth known for hurling paintbrushes across the room.

Dizzy the Painter who hurleth paintbrushes...I bow to you and your artistic ability. It may even be with a bit of envy, but mostly AWE! WOW!!!

wow, i can only wish i could do that years from now, that is amazing!

Raven - it is so beautiful that I don't even have words. I have a friend who also suffers from MS and know the daily battles she faces and how ravaging this illness can be. Your painting brought tears to my eyes.

You are SUCH an amazingly talented artist.

Thats beautiful! I'm glad you showed us it!!

oh my that painting is absolutely beautiful! Don't ever be afraid to show us your paintings! I am very much in AWE right now! Thanks.

Wow I am at loss for words that is an amazing picture. You have a God given talent. Wow what a wonderful gift. Priceless I would buy one..

Thank you all sooo much. Geez - I was so nervous! I do wish that the photo had better focus.

Yeah, Kazko, it's pretty introspective all right. It's kinda hard to see myself as I am now. Four years ago I was chasing caribou through the tundra, and hiking with grizzlies in Alaska, and canoeing with alligators. I was a pretty rough and tumble kind of gal. I even got to wrestle with a Siberian tiger one time. (Not a wild one, of course). When I was walking across the room, it ran up behind me and tackled me around the knees, and brought me down like a deer! Next thing I know, its mouth is around my throat!! Thank goodness it was only playing. That was so awesome.

But I can't complain about how things are now. I can't do the things that I once could, but it could be so much worse. And, I'm painting again. Yippee!! Thanks again everyone!!

Wow, that is awesome! The tiger looks so sad and I feel the pain from looking into his eyes. You did a wonderful job!!!

HOLY CRAP!!!!!
i love this!!!!
this is the most beautifullest piece of art i have ever seen!
no friggin lie!
i love this so much!!! if i lived near you and you sold paintings i would so buy them from you!!!
you are fantastic!!!
wow wow wow wow!! i am just so speachless!

Everytime I look at your painting, I am just blown away. The detail is amazing. Its like you can see into this tiger's soul...

Speachless......all i can say is WOW THATS BEAUTIFUL!!

hmm and it seams you would have alot of good stories to tell

yaay round of applause for you!

If I didn't know you weren't lying I'd swear you're like one of those anorexic chicks who say, "This makes me look fat" knowing darn well it doesn't.

But, I can't believe you don't believe that this is amazing. I guess you're always your hardest critic, but this is amazing.

that is too beautiful!

You and Mandy are something else. That painting is so true to life. You should be very proud to post that here or anywhere. I agree with Bree, it is the most beautifullest picture I have ever seen. 'tinkertoy bows down to dizzysmom and says were not worthy'

You are so talented....there is no way looking at this that anyone would ever think you had any type of disability.....the details are wonderful...I hope you continue to paint and share this with us...we are so lucky to beable to view your work. It is amazing..you should continue to paint and I hope one day do a show...share this beauty with others and allow them to purchase pieces to hang in there homes..to enjoy and share....I can not imagine being as active as you were..to have to deal with this horrible disease...I also have a very close friend that has MS...and I know how it has effected her life....she like you has a very positive attitude...Please continue with this God given talent and share your art with us.....

*Grumbles that she found this thread so late in the game* I wanted to be one of the first to reply!!!! LOL!

As I maintain, my lovely - extraordinary work! It is beautiful and symbolic and I am eternally in awe of your ability. The color and brush strokes are perfect in every way. I would love to see the original in person some day (maybe when we go 'mushrooming'??? ). You have nothing to be nervous of, my friend. Your work speaks volumes! It`s beautiful - just like you! *Snuggles*

This is beautiful! And I applaud you for using oil paints... for some reason I just find them so messy and hard to work with! I'm an acrylic favoring artist.

I'm so sorry to hear about the MS; as an artist myself I would be terrified if something like that happened to me and made me unable to work on my art. Congrats on getting back on the horse and starting to paint again! I can't believe how lovely this is for not painting in 4 years.

That part about flipping the paintbrush across the room is too funny, haha! I tend to do that on accident with my pencils on occasion when I'm drawing... I think I get too excited and try to flip it over to erase and woosh it goes across the room.

Sorry Mandy - I'd hoped that I'd slip this one by you unnoticed. Your kind comments in our PM's gave me the courage to post it, but I was afraid that you'd think I was trying to steal your thunder or something like that. Of course, I wasn't. I've probably had much more than my fair share of thunder from doing 25+ wildlife art shows a year for 15 years. But I just needed to share it, ya know? A painting is just medium on canvas until it can touch someone.

Each person seeing it will feel something different, and relate to it a different way. What I was originally trying to convey was the feeling of taking a good look at myself as I am now - and coming to terms with it. It is a bit hard, but there's no real sadness anymore. I am sooo lucky to have the life that I have. It's just a different life than the one that I was accustomed to. We all have to reinvent ourselves from time to time, and this was my expression of that self-examination. Does that make any sense?

And Roum, it's not messy if you paint the way that I do. I tried painting with a cat whisker one time, and it was too thick. You just about need a magnifying glass to see my brushes.

Don't any of you feel sorry for me about the MS. (Except for maybe the daily injections. That kinda sucks, and I'll accept pity.) We all have challenges that we deal with in our lives. It makes us who we are, and we need those challenges to evolve. I have an enviable life.

Enough of this deep philosophical crap - Sorry 'bout that!

I would never think that you were trying to steal my thunder, my friend. I cannot believe that you thought I would be upset! *Shame shame* I am of the mind that our talents should ALL be celebrated! Hehe, In fact, it is I who feels like a heal, constantly posting my work, so I guess we are our own worse critics!

*Puts Snoppy band-aid on Dizzysmom`s recent injection site and offers her a double stuff Orea cookie* Hows that for pity!? I give the best kind! hehe, also, take this - *Gives giant hug* Did you know Canadaian hugs are worth 2 (exchange rate, and all)? ;) LOL

Keep up the amazing work, lovely one... I look forward to all your future endeavors!

WOW! That is amazing! I wish I could do that, but I am afraid that I am art challenged. I can't believe that is possible for someone to be able to do that. Congrats! I love it.

Thanks!!

Did I mention that I'm working on a new one?

dizzysmom that is wonderful!!!! :) I can't wait to see it!

ME TOO!!! I WANNA SEE! *Grins proudly*

That is so awesome! i love it..i can't wait until you get ur next one done and show it off!