New brain, new me. 😊

I’m playing with the idea of post-stroke me and reframing it by asking my self ‘what can this new brain do?’

One example of the new me is that my art style has changed. I was very much into precision and lens based media, but since my stroke, I’m really drawn to mark making and a looser, more organic style. :blush:

What was/is new and different in a good way about your life post stroke?

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@Gaina all the best with your endeavours. Share what you can here, encourage others and get feedback.

I am/was an amateur and naive artist and found post stroke that the types of activity I was used to were no longer possible.

The only forms of expression that worked were writing at a keyboard and face to face meetings on Zoom.

I was disabled on my right side.

  • Mobility was severely reduced.
  • Hand skills also virtually nil.
  • Holding drawing tools unsatisfactory.
  • Holding and using camera, insufficient strength or dexterity.

On the plus side

  • Imagination works well.
  • Creative energy remains available.
  • Problem solving still active.

My manual skills get a workout in the kitchen, where I am excruciatingly slow but can make something that pleases both myself and Hilary.

Using walking stick, rollator, scooter and car, my range has increased allowing me greater access to the universe and what it contains. Look out here I come!!

I’ve discovered that a smartphone camera is within my capacity to operate and I can take satisfactory photos to illustrate my writing.
I can also use software to edit my images.
I’m also looking at short movie making, displaying on YouTube and possibly creating a series relating to the after effects of stroke and living in the real world with disability.

There are possibilities, plenty of opportunity for learning and a message. We all have that.

I’ve used this forum to encourage sharing, photo and artistic displays, fun exchanges and gentle competition. Great place to share prose, poetry, word art and fiction. There is an appreciative audience here who understands at least some of what is offered.

As someone said to me, the world is our oyster. We make of it what we will.

Stroke forces a change of direction. That needn’t be a loss it could be a stimulus for something new.

keep on keepin on
:paintbrush: :laughing: :artist_palette:
:framed_picture:

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@Bobbi When I was doing my art degree, I discovered a style of film making called ‘5x5’ - 5 clips of 5 seconds each to make a 25 second piece. It’s a great way to limber up the creative muscles. :blush:

The part of my brain that was damaged by the stroke governs inspiration, optimism and creativity - not great for an artist! :woman_facepalming:t2: Hence my switch to mark-making in the hopes I can rewire my brain in such a way I can relax enough to let inspiration flow again. :blush:

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I took up a couple of new things. I wrote a little bit of poetry. Very basic stuff but pre stroke I couldn’t/wouldn’t have done it. I also started adult colouring. This had 2 purposes it kept me occupied during those long early days of recovery but I also used my affected, non dominant hand to do it do had some rehab at the same time.

But one of the biggest things for me was learning to slow down & know it is ok to rest. I was mega busy pre stroke. I now have a slower pace of life & I like it.

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@Gaina @Mrs5K

Great thoughts from both of you. I’ll have a go and see where they take me.

Thank you.

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@Mrs5K I love adult colouring books, but I did spark something of a coloured pencil addiction. :face_with_hand_over_mouth:

Slowing down and asking for help have been big lessons for me too. :blush:

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