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Weekly Paintings By National Award Winning Artist Terry d. Chacon

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Painting With My LEFT Hand

Three weeks ago I had surgery on my right elbow to repair the tip of my radius which was broken off.  On April 13,  I was exhibiting my beautiful Sally and tripped in the ring causing my elbow to dislocate.  After a trip to the emergency by ambulance, they were able to repair the dislocation but not the radius.   After spending almost 2 weeks of going to surgeons and my primary care physician, it was decided to go in and repair the break.  The surgery was somewhat successful but only time will tell what my full recovery will be.  Sitting around the past couple of weeks, I decided I need a back up plan and have decided to try left hand painting.  The photos are the different stages, you be the judge! 

   This was my first painting, starting with a drawing.  This was from a photograph taken of Sally my afghan hound when she was around one year old.  I had drawn this out on a large canvas and started to paint it, but other work got in the way.  This drawing with my left hand is on an 8 x 10 inch canvas.
 

 
After the drawing I started out with a light wash of color. 

 
Then I went back in with more darks, after this is where I think I got into trouble.  Thus, too much paint and not being able to control with my left hand.

 
Here is the finished piece.  I know you are thinking, well what is wrong with this.  As an artist I have a vision of  the outcome of a painting.   This was not it.  Amazingly though, this painting resembles Sally's sister Olive, so all is not lost.
 
 
After a few days of figuring out where I went wrong, I decided to give it another try.
 
 
HOORAY, this is exactly what I wanted and amazingly, with my left hand.
 
So feeling pretty pleased with myself I decided to try a couple plein air paintings of my beautiful rose bushes. 
 

"Red Roses" 6 x 8 oil on canvas. 

 
"White Roses", 6 x 8 oil on canvas.
 
Good thing I painted them when I did because the gardener, cut them back the following Sat.
 
So what should I paint next.  I will be doing the Newport Backbay Show in July.  This year for the sale ,  you can have studio paintings.  Since I am no sure when I will be going to the beach to paint I decided to paint a larger piece from a previous plein air painting.
 
 
What I am learning through this process of painting with my left hand is that my creativity comes from my brain.   I am hoping for a full recovery, but if I have some limitations, I am confident that I will be able to overcome them.
 
All of my new paintings, painted with my left hand are available, the originals, prints and greeting cards through Fine Art America.  Any Questions let me know.
 
 
UNTIL NEXT TIME, please enjoy the art.   Terry d. Chacon
 
 
 

2 comments:

  1. I love all of your work but I am especially proud of the left handed ones. I had breast cancer and was told I would probably lose the use of my right arm. Panic set in. All of the drama that went with it until I remembered God gave two hands and two arms. I make my students paint with their opposite hand so why not give it a try. Behind the tears my brain took over and it was amazing. Nothing like I usually paint, more Oriental looking. My friends loved them. Continued success and prayers that you have a full recovery. Your friend in art, Suni

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  2. WOW! Terry ur are an amazing woman. Love the left handed painting. I am going to try it self. Keep up the good work and be bless and get will soon.

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