Still Flashing Back…

…But Not So Far

Last Week’s post had an image left over from the dark ages. Though I’m still not ready to post anything new, I do want to share a still life that’s a lot closer to my heart (and aging bones.) 

This was probably the first vine charcoal still-life that I have ever done. I did it the summer when I discovered that my left hip was rapidly deteriorating from arthritis and this drawing means a whole lot to me.

There’s a back story here. JKA/ISKF Summer camps are four days of intense karate training and learning, where big-named instructors come from Japan and karatekas attend from….well, everywhere, at least in the Western Hemisphere.

This summer camp was the first in-person camp since the Covid shutdown. Most of us trained in masks and oh my God! It was fun! We hadn’t seen each other in person in years! We sweated and sparred for 3-4 hours/day and I gave it everything I had.

My left hip had a lot to say about it. 

A bunch has happened since then.

• my left hip has been summarily fired and replaced. (I think of hip-replacement surgery as the McDonalds drive-thru of joint replacement surgeries. My surgery was 8am and I was climbing stairs to my bedroom by 2:00.)
• my belt was stolen from the locker room in Manhatten after Instructor’s training. My name and dojo are embroidered in kanji on the ends, so the little thief is going to have some explaining to do if she wears it anywhere. That belt has been with me for over 20 years
• I’m earning my “B” level Instructor’s Certificate in April….hopefully….if I don’t blow it, and I’m testing for my 4th dan (degree) black belt test later this summer at the JKA/ISKF camp. (Something tells me I’ll be retesting this rank for a while. Gifted I’m not.)

Next week, I should have some new stuff…at least stuff in process while I explore what I need to do next.  

What do you all think (both of you 😎)? Should I continue working with draft horses or should I try something new?