Crohn's and being Creative

[donaldburroughs]

Hi Folks
I happened to being searching for info on the vitD article a friend gave me and it's possible benefits to us sufferers of Crohn's and came upon this forum. Glad I found this community and although today seems to be a bad one - body pain is up - , but at least I may know why. Seems that a lot of people also suffer from rhuemotoid arthritis. I have yet to been diagnosed with the latter, but seem to have more body pain recently. I had emergency surgery in March of '09 for a perforated bowel not once but twice within a two week period. Whew, that was crazy and close ( strangely enough I wasn't scared for myself more for my kids).

Anyways, My name is Donald Burroughs. I live in Manitoba, a province and region of the world, which research also happens to indicate has the highest incidence of Crohn's in the world. The why isn't really clear yet, but I just wanted to say that I am not going to let this disease sway me from being an artist, albeit a part-time one, because I have to work a day job. Still, trying to be creative is taxing on both an emotional and physical level, (Crohn's just makes it that much harder), but I won't let this condition defeat me, instead I am going to expose and exploit it to my advantage, just as Van Gogh used his Tinnitus to express himself in his painting style, consciously or unconsciously.

I have become more abstract in the imagery of my art and since Crohn's seems so abstract in concept ,but not in reality to it's sufferers, I make ceramic sclupture, pottery, and recently jewellery ( pendants) that attempts to visualize the condition on an emoitional level. I also draw and in earlier works in both mediums prior to my diagnosis, I was unconciously projecting the torment of a bowel disease. You can see my work at: http://members.shaw.ca/clayartz or at http://donald-burroughs.artistwebsites.com/
Nice to have found this community.

Regards, Donald Burroughs

 

[Crohn's 35]

Welcome Donald :bigwave: . Glad you found us and nice to have someone here so positive! This disease is hard, some feel good one some drugs or natural and some dont. Everyone is different and hard to pinpoint what works for us from time to time.

Having a rewarding outlet does help, and reminds us that we dont have to be angry all the or feel cheated. My motto: when I am down I deal with it (not always positive,,, have my moments) but when I am good, I go go go. :ycool:

My daughter is an artist and love art.

As for why we get Crohns more, less sun in the winter and to active Vitamin D we need the sun to active the Vitimin d in our bodies, just found that out a week ago from a nurse in the mines. You are only 9 hours from me! Seems to be alot of Canadians on board lately... too bad we all have to be on a Crohn's forum to meet new people.

 

[ameslouise]

Hi Donald and welcome!

That is interesting about the relationship between Vitamin D and Crohns.

Glad you found us - lots of good advice here and many positive attitudes like your own!


Cool artwork! Thanks for sharing! - Amy

 

[ChefShazzy]

Hey Donald!
I'm from Winnipeg, too!! First time I have encountered a fellow Manitoban here.

Welcome!!

 

[Astra]

Hi Donald
and welcome

Lovely artwork, very expressive and impressive too! sorry can't buy any, financially embarrassed at the mo!
glad you found us
Lotsa luv
xxx

 

[Creepy Lurker]

I'm sure I read about an artist who created paintings using his own liquefied crap. He had to mix in some white to get different shades though.

I sometimes wonder if being forced away from whatever we're doing, and sent into the bathroom to spend considerable time doing (essentially) nothing changes the way we think.


-- Edit --
Can't find the example I was looking for, but did find this: http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?cgroupid=999999961&workid=27330&tabview=text&texttype=10

 

[PeninsulaLil]

Welcome Donald! Thanks for sharing your websites. I particularly liked the last sculpture-- the column, the colors and the changes in substance.

My brain doesn't seem any less creative post-Crohn's diagnosis but my energy level can definitely be challenging. Particularly since it comes and goes with flares and medication reactions on an unpredictable schedule. I had been struggling with typical symptoms for about 18 months and was actually diagnosed Oct 30. Beginning midnight Nov 1 I began to participate in NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month. The idea being to write 50,000 words between Nov 1 and Nov 30. I had never done anything like that or even written fiction. My CD was definitely not under control and I was just starting on predisone. But somehow I did it! There is something very satisfying and gratifying about creative acts.

@Creepy Lurker--what a great link! Thanks for finding!