“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.
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.
He’s an inspiration that lad of yours. That fish, too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nick certainly is inspiring, brave, courageous AND stubborn!
LikeLiked by 2 people
All of those, Jaye 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both son and his fish, Richard…and both continue to surprise me 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was amazed…and a first attempt too!
( We both did 😉 I’m fond of that fish )
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on firefly465.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nick seems to inspire creatures of all realms.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He seems to be finding his own inspiration now too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even heroes like to have heroes. 🙂
LikeLike
We all need them… even the unlikliest 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Haddon Musings and commented:
Read Nick’s story and help him if you can.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you x
LikeLike
My pleasure.
LikeLike
❤
LikeLike
That’s a powerful painting. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was my impression too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As his confidence in this art form builds, I could see Nick offering his work as canvas prints.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a point there,Ken. If he carries on building on this calibre of image, I know I would be happy to have them on my wall.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The scene in Nick’s digital art reminds me of the organic structuring in the paintings of a friend in Arizona: http://jasonhugger.com/ He’s a vet who has found art as a compensation for PTSD. (The 360° view of his studio is pretty cool.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll see the studio when I get home but just shared you comment and your friend’s art with Nick.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all see the same world…but we all see it differently. Finding and expressing those different perspectives is what makes art, I feel. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
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. 🙂
LikeLike
That fish is a surprising little being 🙂 Nick is…not little 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!”
LikeLike
Applause and prayers are both most welcome, Madelyn… and matter just as much xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
How kind of you to say. Thank you.
If I were one of the 1% I’d spend my life as a philanthropist, I know. It’s difficult for me to avoid judging those who are what I consider rabidly self-absorbed. Working on it, focusing on keeping it out of my language and writing as best I can (for reasons beyond those outlined in my recent “Why we HATE to Change our Minds”).
xx,
mgh
LikeLike
Many of those who can help others do so…and many of them quietly xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is true – I have met a few of those as well. They rarely get the press (nor do they seek it), so may be substantially under-represented. Good to be reminded to keep that in mind. Thanks!
xx,
mgh
LikeLike
🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You son is an inventive and inspiring fellow. Wish you all the best in his endeavors. ❤
LikeLike
Thanks, Tess… he likes to keep me amazed 😉 ❤
LikeLike
Love the drama in this piece of artwork. Nick has found yet another way to amaze us!
LikeLike
He likes to keep in practice at that, Eliza 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
He’ll get the chair, Pete. Thank you so much x
LikeLike
Good to hear!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
How marvelous Nick can now paint using digital art. All the best to him. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLike