Happy Belated New Year

So here it is.  April.  The end of April to be more exact.  New Year's resolutions were made.  Progress logged and yet no updates here.  

So here was my last update:

*     My weight has stayed stable.  I've given up my powerlifting aspirations for now due to laziness and injury...mostly injury.  I recently dislocated/jolted my left shoulder/arm so that has to heal before I even think about whether or not I'll pursue powerlifting seriously again.
*     I am going to be in the Rosewood Arts Festival (yay!).  I'm still prepping my work.  Stay tuned for updates.
*     Dark Soul's Flight finally got framed!  I'm entering it into the SC State Fair this year (professional division).  She's beautiful too :-).
*     I am now teaching acrylic painting classes locally.  Here are pictures from my very first class:

Here is my most recent update:

*     I gained 10 pounds.  Well, 6 pounds water weight, 4 pounds actual weight to be more exact.  My arm really took the wind out of my sails.  I didn't actually "dislocate" my shoulder, I "subluxed" it apparently.  I attempted physical therapy...after my sister talked me into going to the doctor for it in late October because the swelling wouldn't subside.  Got an MRI.  No major damage.  Just limited range of motion and a constant dull ache and many uncomfortable nights.

So last Friday I pick up a book which shall remain unnamed for the time being and decided to start doing some exercises out of it.  It was specifically for the stomach but the first exercise was an underarm tightener.  It hurt like the devil to do it.  I made it through 3 out of the 25 reps I was supposed to do before the excruciating pain emanating from my shoulder reduced me to breathless tears.  I didn't even bother with the other exercises.  On my way to work later, I realized my shoulder wasn't hurting.  I called my husband to let him know.  It was the FIRST TIME since September 6th I didn't feel any pain (without the help of painkillers).  So he's like, maybe that exercise put it back in place.  Try moving it up.  Now when I said I had NO range of motion....zero, zilch, nada.  Nothing.  I could raise my arm almost to shoulder level.  Past that and it felt like gravity had turned palpable and was punishing me for being caught in its pressurized clutches.  Forcing the issue only lead to stabbing pain and swelling.  Imagine my surprise when I lifted my arm and it went all the way up with no resistance!  I was all like (see below):

Image via Sean Cunningham 

I started bouncing around and cheering...almost ran off the road to boot so had to calm myself down until I got to work to test it for sure.  I have about 90% of my range of motion back and I couldn't be happier.  The best part of all is there's NO PAIN.  None!  I don't wake up with a terrible stiff, uncomfortable pain any more.  Life is wonderful.

So now that my arm was back in order, I realized something.  Seven months of being unable to use it had taken its toll.  Fat deposits were clearly visible when compared to my still strong right arm and all muscle definition was lost.  My husband is working on a fitness plan to help me strengthen and trim it down.  Obviously I have to wait at least two weeks before being able to truly make a determination about my arm but so far so good.

*     The Rosewood Arts Festival was a success.  Nothing more to really add to that I suppose.  Oh yeah, I participated in an auction event called "Postcard Art for Africa" back in February.  A lady had seen me at the Festival and wanted to know if I wanted to donate some pieces for this event.  Naturally, of course I did.

Village Girl, Oil on Canvas, 5 x 7 inches

Untitled, Oil on Canvas, 4 x 6 inches

I donated these two pieces.  According to the organizer, they flew off the walls within the first five minutes.

I published artwork.  Yes, Dark Soul's Flight was published in Pocketful Illustration Magazine Issue 11 in January 2015.  Unfortunately she did not place at all in the state fair.  What was interesting is when I was coming to get her, everyone had assumed I did place in the fair and were all surprised that I hadn't.  No one was more surprised than me but I didn't feel bad.  The guy who won multiple prizes last year, including tops in my category didn't place with anything this year so, I suppose it is just the luck of the draw.  One person was judging over 3000 entries.  I really didn't feel bad when I learned that.

*     I am now managing a mobile art studio, The Moya Art Studio, and doing acrylic painting parties on the go!

 Bachelorette/Bridal Parties are by far the most eventful (and fun).

I go to the location and set up everything from table coverings to easels/paints/canvases.








Kids parties are the absolute best!  It is great for birthdays and so far is the most popular option.  I love working with kids.  They absolutely love playing with paint.









I love it to say the very least.  Here are some pictures from a recent party I did at a local racquet club.

The Beach Entrance is what we were painting...this was the goal.

The setup...and yest we provide the aprons too!

Great job!

Everyone's painting always looks so different!

Awesome!

 That concludes the update of my last update.  Now what's brewing?

I am participating in an art show that opens tomorrow called Selfies, Real or Imagined:  An Exhibition of Visual and Literary Art.  I entered for both.  All five of my pieces were accepted for art and all five were rejected for the literary portion so I guess not everyone appreciates my writing (lol).  The reception is tomorrow and I am definitely going to be there.

Here are the pieces I entered:

Two are 5x5 inches, oil on board and three are 6x6 inches, oil on canvas.  Mini beauties.


On the working out front, I've been slack.  My hubby's been so busy in the mornings it has cut into workout time, and I haven't made any additional efforts otherwise.   My arm being indisposed had a lot to do with it but that's no excuse for my diet.  My diet went straight to hay and while I have been loving all the sweet stuff, my gut and butt are crying for a reprieve.  Like I said I only gained four real pounds but I still have to work it off now.  I began intermittent fasting again last Friday.  I'm down three pounds of water weight so far (starting weight 159, now 156).  I went to the gym on Saturday morning (see I can make time)...no idea when I'm going to get there again.

So this is a crafting/fiber arts blog.  I have updates coming soon!

That's all for now, so until next time:

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