In October 2020, I decided it was time to undergo a liver cleanse to renew, restore, and prepare for the winter season of art-making in the studio. And then the unbelievable happened to my skin!
Usually, with a body cleanse, it is normal to experience headaches and skin rashes while the toxins leave the organs. I was getting some headaches, and then a few hot spots started to show up on my arms. I would wake in the middle of the night so unbelievably INSANE with blistering hot itchy skin in various parts of the body and still I did not think anything of it. Then my hands went RAW and I couldn't even grasp a spoon. It turned out that the liver cleanse, which was supposed to renew and restore my body, had an unexpected side effect. The cleanse triggered an allergic reaction, causing my skin to become inflamed and itchy.
Large flakes of skin began to fall to the floor. The skin was burning off the top layers while the next layer became thick red leather. My long hair flew off my head like birds flying south, and onto the floor, leaving my DNA trailing a pathway.
The Dermatologist determined it was an allergic reaction to one of the natural ingredients in the liver cleanse, and like poison ivy, the entire body violently itched, burned, and blistered from the inside out. On the upside, I have new skin, and the liver is certainly refreshed!
The above watercolor reflects how my skin felt like... being stung by a thousand fire ants erupting into lava puss, dripping down my arms, head, and face... no other way to say it nicely, it's true, I looked horrifying. I walked like a zombie, couldn't bend my arms or open my shredded mouth to eat, and breathing was nearly impossible. My deep bathtub was the 30 minutes of relief every day, using coconut oil mixed into lukewarm water that helped cleanse and cool the infected skin.
My mate was watching me for a couple of weeks turn into an alien while constantly nudging me to go to the emergency hospital... yes, I am known to be a stubborn woman... I have a great distaste for hospitals, but he managed to convince me, or rather, another day of skin insanity finally scared me enough to get some big girl panties on and let my leading man rescue his damsel in distress.
I packed the cotton bag with a medical card, ID, and art kit to wait out the emergency room queue. After 3 3-hour wait, I did get the thrill to watch the emergency doctor quickly jump back while channeling medical jargon after he saw my arms and face... I waited too long. LOL, so this is where I stop describing ooze and show you my drawings & watercolor from the result of agony and boredom. Drawing in the emergency room was not just a way to pass the time, but also a way to distract myself from the pain and discomfort. It allowed me to focus on something other than my condition, providing a much-needed mental break during a stressful situation.
Creative escapism can be achieved with a simple pencil and paper. Drawing or doodling is my tool for calming anxiety and boredom. I often carry a sketchbook in a carry bag with a few pens if I have to sit and wait or be in a room listening to people talk, like at a conference. If I draw, I can stay PUT and open my mind to learning while calming nerves for attentive listening.
Both of the above pencil drawings were created during a Mental Health Course that was emotionally intensive, 3 full days of conversation. The course was held in a large room with several tables, where participants sat in groups for discussions and activities. I knew I had to bring the sketchbook to keep calm and stay open to learning new information. I found my still-life objects in the room as my drawing props. I quietly sketched while we were all sitting in groups around large tables. It was also a calming effect for a few who were beside me, occasionally making a glance as my drawing emerged from the paper.
Drawing has been my go-to since I was a child, and it saves me from myself while also enhancing my observational skills.
Time to get off the computer and get to drawing! Please also enjoy the simple pencil and paper to help find your ZEN.
Draw like no one is watching, Minaz Jantz
2 comments :
I had not seen your Liver Cleanse artwork. That drawing certainly lays it all out clearly your journey
I showed the drawing to the Dermatologist... I said if Frida Kahlo can paint her pain, sorrow, and operations, so can I.
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