Symbiosis
Symbiosis - $650
Watercolor - 22 x 15 inches
Arches 300 lb. cold pressed paper
In 2008, I made the decision to pursue art with a passion. I wasn't going to let anything get in my way. In January of 2009 a macular pucker was threatening to pull a hole in the retina of my left eye. Dr. Gregory Kozielec of Arlington, Texas, performed emergency surgery. I spent the next six weeks lying or sitting face down 24/7. It was a very challenging time. After that point I was extremely near sighted. If I held something within 6 inches of my face, I could see just fine. Ha! I told my grandchildren I had a magic magnifying eye, a bionic eye.
In May of that same year, I had a retinal detachment and again had emergency surgery on the eye. After both surgeries, a gas bubble was inserted in the eye to hold the retina in place as it healed. This greatly aggravated an existing cataract and thus cataract surgery was required in December of 2009.
Symbiosis is my attempt to paint the relationship between myself and my retinal surgeon. I so needed him to save my sight, and doing this type of work is not only a passion for him, but what supports him and his family. I find it significant that Dr. Kozielec's own eyes are not visible, not only because his focus was on my eye but because he himself is legally blind without his glasses.
Watercolor - 22 x 15 inches
Arches 300 lb. cold pressed paper
In 2008, I made the decision to pursue art with a passion. I wasn't going to let anything get in my way. In January of 2009 a macular pucker was threatening to pull a hole in the retina of my left eye. Dr. Gregory Kozielec of Arlington, Texas, performed emergency surgery. I spent the next six weeks lying or sitting face down 24/7. It was a very challenging time. After that point I was extremely near sighted. If I held something within 6 inches of my face, I could see just fine. Ha! I told my grandchildren I had a magic magnifying eye, a bionic eye.
In May of that same year, I had a retinal detachment and again had emergency surgery on the eye. After both surgeries, a gas bubble was inserted in the eye to hold the retina in place as it healed. This greatly aggravated an existing cataract and thus cataract surgery was required in December of 2009.
Symbiosis is my attempt to paint the relationship between myself and my retinal surgeon. I so needed him to save my sight, and doing this type of work is not only a passion for him, but what supports him and his family. I find it significant that Dr. Kozielec's own eyes are not visible, not only because his focus was on my eye but because he himself is legally blind without his glasses.
