Vision, Projects, and Thanks

 Well it's sure been a long time since I posted anything here on blogger.  Covid and the lock down delayed some life changes.  Like most, we were ordering food from the grocery stores using pick up and delivery services, seeing our medical people via zoom when needed and not going anywhere without a mask for short necessary trips.  My daughter was working from home and we were keeping Mom safe as well as ourselves.  When the vaccine was offered, we all got it.  Not a lot of new art making happened but I did show work in a few virtual shows.  Probably like a lot of folks, we were keeping a low profile. 

For quite some time,  even before Covid, I had some vision changes that made it difficult to do miniature work.  First my glasses broke, then the pandemic came along. I didn't want to get new glasses as I knew the cataract in my right eye was getting worse and I probably had one in my left as well.  So, to get through the time to when it was safe to go out again and I could afford the procedure, I dug out an older pair of glasses to get by.  They were not only an older prescription,  but were also a bad fit!  Needless to say, my sight for doing miniatures was a challenge, and working was very frustrating! 

 Under Scrutiny (Detail) © Barbara A. Freeman

6" x 6" Ink on Scratchbord - Small Works

 

Finally three days before my birthday in April, I made an appointment with my eye doctor.  He said yes, it was time.  Things proceeded rather quickly after that and the last week in May and first week in June it happened!  I have had the surgery to remove the cataracts in both eyes and now have intraocular lens implants! I love them!  I no longer have to wear glasses and can see so well, it's amazing!  I'm still going through the follow ups, but I am so happy with my vision!  I went to the same place Wayne had his eye surgery,  The Harman Eye Clinic and saw the same surgeon, Dr. Natalia Bajenova.  The staff was great to work with and I felt so pampered the days of my surgeries.  If you are local, I highly recommend Dr. Natalia Bajenova and the The Harman Eye Clinic in Arlington, WA.   They are worth the drive!

Before my eyes were corrected and during the pandemic lock down in 2020, I did a few creative projects just to keep sane.  I made a painted rock miniature to go in a tiny, weathered, child's wagon I turned into a planter with succulents for my Mom.  I was really pleased with the Dwarf and had so much fun painting him! 

Painted Dwarf © Barbara A. Freeman

Acrylic on Found Rock 

 

Succulents Wagon with Painted Dwarf and Twig Tower with Ladder

  © Barbara A. Freeman 

 

Mom with her wagon full of succulents.  I think she likes it! 

I also painted a crow miniature as a gift for my daughter, Gina.  She uses these beautiful bits called Millefiori when she does mosaic.  She had created a cute frame using millefiori in it with a 2"x 2" opening.  I did the crow with this frame in mind.  However, when the painting was finished, I tried it with one of the frames I had and it really went well with the piece.  Turns out, the frame she had would have been too deep, casting too much shadow over it.  She agreed she liked it in this frame better and I think she's happy with it.  We are both fans of crows!

Crow With Millefiori © Barbara A. Freeman  

Acrylic on Illustration Board  2" x 2"

Below is another miniature I made for a friend, who had given me several of these cute ornamental frames.  I've had them for a long time and found them when I was looking for something else! I painted this for her.  It made me happy to do it and helped keep me sane.  Thinking of hope for the future, I titled it "A New Day"! 

A New Day © Barbara A. Freeman

  Acrylic on Claybord  2 1/2" 

Thank you for reading about my work and some personal things in my life.  I feel so fortunate to have had my family near throughout the pandemic.  I give thanks to my husband for driving me to and from my eye surgery, among many other things.  We just celebrated 38 years since we first met in June!  It's been an adventure!  Thankful that my daughter is nearby working safely from home keeping us laughing with her dry wit and sense of humor.  Thankful to have my Mom close by, happy and fun to be around at 90!  Also to my friend who keeps me inspired and stays in touch!  To all my facebook friends for just being there!  Much love to all and here's to A New Day!