 Portrait of Betsy  Click Here for a Close-up Portrait
|
My long-time dear friend Betsy commissioned this portrait of herself. She wanted to be portrayed not as the mermaid I considered her, but in all the details of her newer, after-stroke reality. It is a portrait of a incredibly strong-willed independent woman, who lived as a lawyer, mystery-writer, scuba instructor, black-belt karate and jujitsu expert before a stroke (caused by malpractice in surgery). At over 40 years old Betsy had to learn how to talk, form sentences, walk, and write left handed, all over from the very beginning. The process took years. Words returned first in music and song, putting sentences together took much longer. Physical therapy could not recover some movement. Frustration was supreme , but determination was stronger. Today she advocates for and increases public awareness of the handicapped wherever she goes. She is an amazing inspiration of perseverance. Having led an active life before, she chose to learn a new skill, something she would have to do with only one hand. So she mastered shooting the pistol in target practice. Betsy wears her favorite sweater, bracelet, earrings, and Nike sneakers, whether she is sitting, or standing with a cane. Left leg brace, arm sling, and cane are constant companions now. I had wanted to show her seated as if she were listening at our mutual friends' folk music festival, when everyone donned straw hats of one sort or another. But Betsy wanted to be portrayed actively walking. I compromised: her portrait can be repositioned to do either.  
|
