It’s only a couple of months ago that I wrote about the challenges and opportunities we are faced with when illness knocks you out of your creative stride. That posting, Creativity – When Illness Strikes, was mainly about myself and my partner, Lynda, whose illness has had an impact on both of us.

But I also mentioned Victoria, who has had her own illness challenges to deal with:

One friend and colleague of mine set herself some tough creative goals at a time when she was struggling to manage a chronic illness. She developed her style and produced more work of a higher standard than she’d ever managed before. The satisfaction she gained during that difficult time was priceless.
Sad to say that her symptoms worsened to the point where even she couldn’t continue. Three years on and she’s still battling, but her creativity has been battered and, for now at least, subdued.

Victoria left a comment confirming the challenges she was facing to her creativity, but then added this:

I am wondering now, particularly prompted by Andy’s synchronistic posting, whether I can rediscover it, and I WILL be taking some (albeit small) steps every day, to do so.

Victoria’s Good News
Well, I got a phone call just now from a very chipper sounding Victoria. She did take those small steps, painting scenes from around Nether Edge in Sheffield, which is close to where she lives. And a couple of days ago she took a stall at a farmer’s market in the area and sold five paintings. That’s five paintings to five different people – a real affirmation of the quality of Victoria’s work. Not surprisingly Victoria is ecstatic that her first ever foray into selling her work could be so successful.

Victoria is still dealing with her illness, but feels that if she can do it, anyone can, bearing in mind the situation she’s been in (and is still in). She had to force herself to resume her art, but as she says, it seemed right even though it was difficult getting back into the swing of things. As she said in her comments though, it’s knowing when you are ready, and for the couple of years before that it wouldn’t have been right to push herself.

It was brilliant hearing the brightness and enthusiasm again in Victoria’s voice, and she deserves tremendous praise for her determination to keep hold of her creative dreams. I know our creative journeys are often disrupted by setbacks and difficulties, but let’s wish Victoria a smoother ride from now on.

Inspiration
And if you are experiencing difficulties of your own, then why not use

Victoria’s story as an inspiration to begin again – small steps, remember – but you never know where those steps can lead.

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See also: Creativity – When Illness Strikes

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