New directions

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Sue Vincent

“I need to update you on bent-tail fish,” said my son down the phone. This could not be good. Poor bent-tail has been struggling with his infirmities for a while and we knew it could be only a matter of time. “The cat came in wet and it wasn’t raining… so I checked the pond.” Even worse then. The cat has seen bent-tail as prey for a while and, when he is exhausted and floating on the surface, the little fish makes an easy target for the feline huntress. I had visions of coming back from the north to a half-eaten fish and a well-fed cat. “I don’t know,” said my son, “whether the cat jumped or fell…but she was soaked… and bent-tail is fine.” I’m afraid that I grinned. Another round goes to the fish. It is, in spite of its less-than-usual shape, both resilient and resourceful… and the same can be said of my son.

Oh yes, he added, he had something to show me… but I would have to wait until I got home from the north… That sounded exciting. I wrote last week about his latest venture. After the initial experimentation that yielded the whole jittery duck saga, my son launched himself seriously into learning how to paint digitally. Nick’s hands cannot manipulate a traditional paintbrush with any accuracy. His dexterity was severely reduced by the insertion of a screwdriver into his brain with enough force to shatter his skull and the miracle is that he can do anything at all. Many of my readers know his story, so I will not repeat it; those who do not can read his story here in his own words. Between the initial injury and the way his brain swelled and bled, Nick’s body was damaged beyond repair. So was his sight. It is not just holding a paintbrush that should be beyond his skill, but he is as resilient and as he is resourceful; what he cannot do by the usual means, he will look for some way to do differently.

While he may not be able to wield a paintbrush, he can use a computer and with the advent of digital art, creativity can be unleashed, so Nick has spent the past few weeks learning his way around new software and experimenting. Digital art packages vary from the simple to the sophisticated. Some are merely automated tools that transform photographs into the semblance of art, others offer a set of virtual brushes and tools that allow you to paint from the imagination.

When the first such programmes came out, I was wary… was this art or just an acquired skill? Having watched my son and played with the programmes myself, I know that they can be used as either, but when you begin with a blank canvas, creating something new from your imagination that expresses part of your own being, then it is art.

I was curious to see what he had done. His photography alone has shown that he has an artistic streak. Even so, I admit that I was expecting something along the lines of a simple landscape as a first painting. The biggest fear with any new venture is that you will be unable to achieve your goal. For Nick, that fear carries the added weight of his injures… no matter what he may be capable of dreaming, his body may refuse to cooperate. Having the right tools for the job helps immeasurably and Nick has a talent for finding the technology that will allow him to surpass the limitations of his injuries. By using weird and wonderful contraptions that we invented in the kitchen, my son was able to use exercise equipment and regain strength and some control over his body. By finding a recumbent bike, he was able to ride again and raise money for charity. By working across a number of different platforms, he has found a way to express his creativity. And in doing so,  he has made me very proud. Again.

Five cracked and broken skeletal fingers reach up to an arching sky of red and black

‘New Direction’, a digital painting by Nick Verron

I am still trying to raise the funds to help pay for a new, off-road wheelchair for my son. The Mountain Trike allows Nick to go places he has been unable to go for over seven years. Please help if you can, either by donating to the Go Fund Me campaign or by sharing his story. You can read more about Nick by following the links by searching this site or on his own blog.

About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
This entry was posted in Art, Nick Verron and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

42 Responses to New directions

  1. Richard Ankers says:
    February 21, 2017 at 07:10

    He’s an inspiration that lad of yours. That fish, too.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Mary Smith says:
    February 21, 2017 at 10:14

    That’s quite stunning. There’s no half measures with Nick, is there?
    I bet Ani enjoyed the story of the wet cat and the happy fish!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Chatter Master says:
    February 21, 2017 at 11:11

    Nick seems to inspire creatures of all realms.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Bernadette says:
    February 21, 2017 at 11:55

    Reblogged this on Haddon Musings and commented:
    Read Nick’s story and help him if you can.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. memadtwo says:
    February 21, 2017 at 12:06

    That’s a powerful painting. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. rivrvlogr says:
    February 21, 2017 at 15:07

    As his confidence in this art form builds, I could see Nick offering his work as canvas prints.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. D. Wallace Peach says:
    February 21, 2017 at 17:45

    Cool painting. I love how Nick’s talent for art has been so dramatically unleashed. Sometimes, I think, it’s the artist’s usual perspective or new way of seeing things that brings the art to a new level. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. Judy E Martin says:
    February 21, 2017 at 19:37

    I am so glad that bent-tail fish is still with you, he is a very determined little thing.
    As for Nick’s art, I think it is wonderful. 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  10. Madelyn Griffith-Haynie, MCC, SCAC says:
    February 21, 2017 at 19:51

    GREAT to hear that Bent-tail remains valiantly alive. Maybe the recent dunking will keep the kitty away in the future too.

    Nick is always an inspiration and I love it when you include something about him in your posts. I’m struggling financially myself right now, until a couple of snafus iron out, so I can offer little beyond applauding his efforts – and prayer, much as I wish it were otherwise.
    xx,
    mgh
    (Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
    ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
    “It takes a village to transform a world!”

    Like

    Reply
  11. Let's CUT the Crap! says:
    February 21, 2017 at 22:22

    You son is an inventive and inspiring fellow. Wish you all the best in his endeavors. ❤

    Like

    Reply
  12. Eliza Waters says:
    February 22, 2017 at 00:25

    Love the drama in this piece of artwork. Nick has found yet another way to amaze us!

    Like

    Reply
  14. beetleypete says:
    March 1, 2017 at 10:18

    I have been to Fund Me and left a donation. Not much I’m afraid, but I live on a pension. Everyone should be able to get out and take photographs. I hope that he eventually gets enough for the chair.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Like

    Reply
  15. patriciaruthsusan says:
    March 4, 2017 at 08:43

    How marvelous Nick can now paint using digital art. All the best to him. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.