In 2010, I created my first digital painting in Photoshop CS4, with only a mouse. The painting began as pencil sketches I meant to refine and then use for a watercolor, but everything was put on hold when I needed surgery to remove my gall bladder. As oftentimes happens, my gall bladder woes were sudden and severe. I went to the doctor in pain on a Thursday and ended up in surgery on Monday. Let me say too, just because it’s a simple surgery doesn’t mean you’re ready to run a marathon afterward. Surgery is mega painful. Maybe more so in my case because I cannot take those wonderful pain medications everyone loves. Hydrocodone and anything similar to it or more strong triggers intense nausea, dizziness and vertigo. The day of my surgery they nearly kept me overnight because I was sick–from the damn pills. I convinced them I was okay, that I could go home and of course they gave me a prescription for the pills. But I didn’t take them. So the day after my surgery and the weeks after were difficult (that’s an understatement if you weren’t sure). I couldn’t take anything but Tylenol. I spent a lot of time in my recliner and that’s where I created this painting for the EBSQ Spam and Trout Show.
After a long day of chasing leads, all P.I. Terry Trout wants is his green ham! Did the Seuss Lounge really think they could disguise Spam with a green sauce and nobody would know?
My determination pushed me to finish this painting in time for the online exhibit and that hard work paid off. My painting, Green Eggs and Spam?, won Member’s Choice. Looking at this painting, I can’t help but snicker. I’ve come along way with my digital skills since 2010.
http://amandamakepeace.com
