As Promised…
August 8th, 2007
I created this piece in a fit of play and experimenting. I incorporated some journal type writing (which got mostly collaged over) to fit with the Inspire Me Thursday theme of "Dear Diary". It's 9"x12" on watercolor paper with collage and paint. I've named it "Forever Uplift" because of the old ad I used in it that proclaims their bra will "forever uplift." And I've added a bird flying upwards. While doing this piece, I was thinking about aging, numbers going up, the chaos of life, and endless lists.
Sweet Pilar mentioned imagining Freya's cloak protecting me (in regards to earlier creepy post). Since then Freya has been popping up again in random places and I did a bit more research that has led to some fascinating information about her. I'll go into more about it in a future post, as I have a piece of art in mind. I have other things to share here. Such as my finger... click to make larger if you want to.
This is my ring finger on my left hand where I would normally wear my engagement ring, but I had to move it to the other hand. It started up about a month ago when I was in Colorado. I saw that my finger was itchy and red with some kind of rash, so I moved my ring to the other hand. Weeks later, it seemed to be nearly gone and wasn't itching me, so I put the ring back on and the rash came back. Now, I've had this ring for over a year, so I don't think I'm allergic to the metal. After a month it hasn't spread anywhere else on my body (thank goodness), but it's still red (as you can see above) and itchy. Moisturizer hasn't helped and neither has occasional applications of neosporin. Any ideas? Is my body reacting to the wedding stress in a ridiculous way? ha! Anyways, I think I'll end up wearing my wedding band on my left hand and e-ring on my right, but I hope the rash goes away soon. In the meantime, I'll keep that finger ring-free. And last, but not least, a picture of my kitty companion of the day. The cats seem to take turns being my shadow. And today, Tabbers decided that one of my paper piles was a fine place for a nap. He sat in the bathroom when I showered and sat in my lap while I was on the computer purring away. I love how he winked for the picture. He's so adorable. 
22 Responses
besides the fact I like your painting style, ( !:) ) i was strangely drawn to your finger info cuz i was JUST figuring out a rash on my right ring finger! It’s not from a ring either and after trying neosporin then trying hydrocortisone, I’m trying the pink calamine lotion. (hehe!)
Posted by: erin | Aug 8, 2007 at 8:49 pm |
suggestion: over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
and thanks for the kitty picture-I’m missing my guy so much right now.
Posted by: zenchick | Aug 8, 2007 at 11:35 pm |
a fit of play…what a great thing that is! nice job. there’s something about the bird flying up through some distractions that feels strong & well, uplifting! Good job…and adorable cat!
Posted by: Megan | Aug 8, 2007 at 11:58 pm |
a fit of play…what a great thing that is! nice job. there’s something about the bird flying up through some distractions that feels strong & well, uplifting! Good job…and adorable cat!
Posted by: Megan | Aug 8, 2007 at 11:58 pm |
Leah,
Oh I love the kitty…so huggable and sweet, and I’m partial to orange tiger kittys..I have one of my own.. Here, I’ll introduce you to him…Ike this is Leah, Leah…this is Ike (below):
http://cherylsjewels.blogspot.com/2007/01/mango-kitty.html
: )
Posted by: Cheryl Finley | Aug 9, 2007 at 12:49 am |
Your “Dear Diary” post…awesome & unique! How creative to us the theme from the add…I love it! — and like the bird, asending : )
Posted by: Cheryl Finley | Aug 9, 2007 at 12:52 am |
Love that purple color , your Kitty is very cute and I had the same with my ring ! It’s because there is to less air underneath the ring and when you wash your hands water stays behind . O my english is a mess , hope you understand
:)
Posted by: Julia | Aug 9, 2007 at 5:52 am |
That’s one very delicious (as in I want to tickle his tummy) kittie! As for your finger… try Aveeno anti-itch cream. It has a bit of hydrocortisone in it and is very effective at making the red and the itch go away quickly. I have been getting mysterious itchy rashes on my neck where my necklace (that I’ve had forever and wear all the time) lies, and the aveeno cream cleared it up right away. Oh… I like your journal entry! I have a whole stack of Life mags from 1959, and I love the Maidenform bra ads. I know one of them will show up in my work at some point. I like how you’ve turned the ad into an inspiring message:>
Posted by: carla | Aug 9, 2007 at 7:20 am |
LOVE IT! I like the symbolism and the writing on the painting and the bird and the colors… I think you may be particularly good at incorporating writing in your work. eg. your header banner for this blog. It adds a wonderful depth both artistically and metaphorically.
Posted by: titration | Aug 9, 2007 at 9:15 am |
Love the piece or course – and the fat orange cat. And the ring thing? Maybe your body is allergic to getting married! LOL. Seriously it could be perspiration/water rubbing there all of the time. Do you take your ring off at night? And when is hte wedding?!?
Posted by: cheryl | Aug 9, 2007 at 10:15 am |
Adorable kitten! I really like the purpleness of your artwork too.
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | Aug 9, 2007 at 10:40 am |
i love that kitty picture! have you gone to the doc about your ring finger!? how horrible that you can’t wear your ring!!! i love that journal page. beautiful purple & blue!
Posted by: melanie | Aug 9, 2007 at 10:52 am |
Sorry to hear about the rash.
I can’t remember what the setting was made of, but it could be a nickel allergy — given that some gold alloys contain nickel.
Timely article in the NYT:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9E03E7D7173BF936A25751C1A963948260
but I hope the other commenters are right and it’s just caused by trapped moisture.
Posted by: tallasiandude | Aug 9, 2007 at 11:06 am |
I *love* your kitty! My fat orange cat, Feo, is curled up on papers beside the computer as I type.
I had that ring problem myself, and this is info I found:
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/19/240.cfm
Best to you ~
Posted by: Caren | Aug 9, 2007 at 1:05 pm |
for someone not finishing things, you sure are finishing things.
Have you changed any soap with reference to you rash? Tried vitamin E directly from a capsule? My original wedding set was very wide and sometimes my finger broke out but it’s been so long I can’t remember how I dealt with it (probably the same way you are – take the rings off). Hope it heals fast!
Lovely work as always – especially love the pearls and writing (but we know that about me, now, don’t we?)
Posted by: tammy vitale | Aug 9, 2007 at 2:04 pm |
Beautiful movement and drama in your diary entry. Just lovely! And that Tabbers is such a flirt!
Posted by: Cheryl B | Aug 9, 2007 at 4:22 pm |
i am so in awe of your talent – look at that gorgeous
work –
and truly that quote on my blog from the book
reflects your work and how it affects people:)
Posted by: maddie | Aug 9, 2007 at 6:09 pm |
Sometime jewelers are all about fitting rings tightly. I had this problem when my ring was a tad too tight and the heat of the summer made matters worse.
Love that kitty!
I have missed you, Leah. I’ll be back to blogging once I return from Chicago.
Posted by: eileen (the dream) | Aug 9, 2007 at 8:52 pm |
Love the kitty pic – too cute! I’m just getting caught up with you again, so I missed the ‘creepy’ post (hope all is well now, what or whoever was creeping you out) – but when you mentioned Freya, I immediately thought how fitting, since Freya had two cats who pulled her chariot.
Your new art is lovely, btw – but then I love all of your art! xo
Posted by: tinker | Aug 10, 2007 at 7:34 am |
Tabbers is gorgeous! I love fluffy cats, and he has such a sweet face, too. You probably are allergic to metal, sometimes this can be induced by stress, or the hot weather. My skin is more sensitive when it feels uncomfortable, like it does when it is too hot and humid. One of my silver rings gives me a rash every now and then in the summer and I find hydrocortisone, as suggested by others, very helpful. Hope it gets better soon!
Posted by: Kerstin | Aug 10, 2007 at 9:27 am |
I occasionally get a rash on my left ring finger, too. I can wear my wedding ring for months and months with no skin irritation, and then suddenly my finger rejects the ring. It seems to have to do with how much salt and other bad food I’m eating, which is generally directly proportional to how much stress I’m feeling. I usually take the ring off for a few days (it doesn’t fit on my other hand or any other finger), let it heal completely (wash it carefully daily and moisturize), eat better, and it goes away.
I have been teased by a few friends for being allergic to marriage, though.
Posted by: donab | Aug 10, 2007 at 10:18 am |
What a wonderful new piece! I love the incorporation of the journal writing in it. I have a piece similar that I did with vintage French textbook pages. Love that sort of work.
Hope your finger improves!
xo,
KB
Posted by: Karen Beth | Aug 10, 2007 at 12:39 pm |