Gerbera's, gerbers, ?

30"x 30"

acrylic

Right now I am working on a commission (custom artwork), where the person  wanted more color in her living room and her favorite flower was the Gerbera (gerber?) daisy.  I said, since I am doing this just for you, do you want to put some meaning into it?  Maybe a letter from a grandmother; photos; a memorable item; a vase? They decided on vases. The tall vase is from his grandmother, (all the way from Ireland) and the lady's head is from her mother. 

Listening to while I paint:
- Dan Brown, "Inferno"
- Stuff You Missed In History Class, "Building Disneyland's Haunted Mansion", 10/21/13 and 10/23/13
- Pandora

Stroke Update - Lifting Hooks

It's been three years since my stroke. I keep getting stronger (slowly) every day. 

A few weeks ago, I had a trainer at my club,  Joni Neilson (International Federation of BodyBuilders...she's fabulous!), suggest that I might try these lifting hooks. (well, 1 anyway....)

As you can see, the hook fits inside my hand and rests inside my palm and fingers. This is so my fingers and the hook work as a unit. They are, "Designed to enhance grip and reduce finger fatigue".

It has made such a difference! I lift about 5 times a week and before when using my right hand, my fingers gave out as the weight increased. Now I can lift more (they can lift 825 lbs) AND I can use both hands! Something I couldn't do before. I felt like crying when after three years I could use both hands, but it probably wouldn't go over too well in the weight room with all those guys...
Thank you Joni!!!!