Self portrait 22nd October 09
Acrylic on hardboard 8" x 8" £65 (British pounds) plus postage & packing (£3.50 to UK; £7 to rest of world)
As you can see from the date in the title of this posting the painting was done last week. In fact most of the paintings I have posted since a week ago were actually completed around two weeks ago. What happened was that last Thursday I managed to trap a nerve in my back between the shoulders which has resulted in a lot of pain and numbness in my arms and hands. I am having to get back to painting very slowly, just do a small amount each day and keep taking frequent "posture" breaks. The problem arose after finishing the self portrait here and I am sure it was because I was straining to see in the mirror as I painted and was sitting at an awkward angle. I do sit down to paint and I'm not sure my equipment is in the best place etc. Does anyone else suffer from back pain, shoulder pain, ever have a trapped nerve through bad painting posture? In fact it would be interesting to know how many of you daily painters sit down to paint compared to standing up as you would if doing a bigger painting. If anyone knows of any good references/links for good posture for artists I'd love to hear about them!
posted by Sheila Vaughan at 9:42 PM
9 Comments:
I sympathise. I suffer from back pain, but as it was the result of years of inappropriate Civil Service chairs, I now find it easier to stand at the easel, even when painting something small. A new development is regular stiff necks, but that I put down to sitting at the computer. Or am I just getting old?
Ouch Sheila. Trapped nerves are so painful aren't they. One of the downsides of being a painter is posture problems. Trouble is, with myself anyway, I can start off in one position,but as soon as I begin concentrating on the piece at hand, I tend to tense up into a completely alien posture and only realise when too late. Not sure what answer is I'm afraid but I'll look back on this thread to see if anyone has any ideas.
I love both of these portraits by the way. This last one is full of character!
Take care Sheila, M
Hope you're feeling much better by now!
These have a lovely presence about them Sheila. You look pensive & reflective. I also really like the mystery in this composition.
I always stand up to paint and have a waist high work table (a work bench from Ikea) and an easel. But even so I tend to get pain under my right shoulder blade after an hour or so.
Frequent imposed breaks is probably the best solution but I know it's difficult to do that. When I get in the 'flow' I don't really want to quit in case I can't get it back!
Look after yourself...
Sheila,
I too share your pain. A life of painting and working on the computer has left me with bad shoulders, back, wrist, neck etc. I paint sitting down, but have to remind myself to get up and move around. Sometimes I concentrate so much on what I'm doing I forget to get up and when I do, it is very painful. I have a good solid wooden office chair (one of the old-fashioned oak types) with arms and cushions. With this, heat packs, cold packs, Tylenol,etc., I manage :>) I'd love to hear some good ideas from other painters out there too. Almira in Oklahoma
Hi folks, it means a lot to know that not only you sympathise - and I truly appreciate that - but that you also "suffer for the job". It seems that one of the key things we need to remember is to keep taking breaks, stretch, walk around, go wash the dishes, whatever. I think I'll leave the self portraits alone for a while though! Thanks so much to you all for responding and for your good wishes.
i suffer from lower back pain sometimes but deal with it by exercising: playing tennis several times a week to strengthen my muscles and for fitness. I stand for long hours at the easel every day. i hope someone has a solution to this because my posture at the easel is not the best. the self portrait is wonderful, love the composition. r.
Thanks for your sympathy and also kind comments about the work Rahina. I think as you say, taking time out to do different things and when it's bad taking pain killers are probably the main factors in keeping posture pain at bay. I did however wonder about Alexander technique. Has anyone tried that?
Brilliant, Sheila! Relax with an ice pack while I gush a little.
Masterful brushwork. Not just dexterity, but having the right paint on the brush - color, opacity, viscosity, amount, etc - to do the job. I love the way the hair shape turns in to the background, building dimension. Your use of negative space and cropping create great dynamics. And there is plenty going on behind the eye(s).
I feel certain I would be moved by this piece if I weren't a painter or hadn't made your acquaintance. But a little knowledge and a personal connection add layers to my enjoyment.
I hope you feel better soon, and find ways to prevent injury.
Dar, what nice things you say. I feel humbled by them. Thank you. As to the injury, it's getting better slowly so we live in hope!
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