30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day Five

"Bones" - acrylic on canvas paper, 16" x 20"

"Basquiat" - acrylic on aquabord, 5" x 7"

Day five!  A two-fer art day in my studio.   Unsure of where to begin this morning, I happened upon a recent issue of Vanity Fair magazine, the "Art and Artists" issue with Jean-Michel Basquiat on the cover.  I had nearly forgotten how crazy I am for his work (which reminds me in so many ways of my other favorite artists, Portland's Jesse Reno) and so decided to devote my studio time to channeling my inner Jean-Michel. 

I started with the mini primitive portrait on the right (I cannot lie - totally used paint brushes for the portrait) and then grabbed my scrapers and paint to work large and bright and moody in his style.  There was a bit of intense  frustration I had to get out, and this was exactly what I needed.  Bones.

In recent months, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my lumbar spine.  And not just any old osteoporosis - but the highest rating for fracture risk.  My docs panicked, I panicked, and then the reality set in.  I've been advised not to run, jump, fall vertically (apparently I can safely fall horizontally?) or do anything strange involving my back.    It took some getting used to - the idea that my bones are frail and can break just because it's Tuesday.  I've begun rounds of meds which are scary and have nasty side effects, I am ingesting enough calcium to build a whole new human, and I wear ankle weight around the house like they are the newest style in fashion.  

I used to be a runner.  For years and years, running was what I did for health and sanity.  Getting up while it was still dark to log the miles, feeling pure and exhausted when I returned.  I also used to be a garage jump-roper - counting a five hundred jumps a day to get in a quick workout and keep my heart healthy.  The idea of never again running or jumping rope is truly odd.  Grumpily, I have accepted a bike and walking shoes as my forever replacement, and promised myself to learn to embrace them with more enthusiasm.

​But here I am, loving the crazy bones in this homage to Basquiat, and quite content with my lot if it allows me to paint every day.  And I enjoyed this style enough to perhaps try another in the coming days.

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