Thursday 27 February 2014

Back Bloggin ...on Art, Snow and Injury


                                   
     
 3 years later & back on

...The Blog-

  Vanessa Stark

on ART...
Things have been rolling forward nicely in my painting and art making world. 
 A number of great things have happened since I blogged last... (3 years ago)

These include:
-designing Whistler Blackcomb's limited edition ski graphic, winning Whistler's annual "Paint-Off", being one of the winners in Prior Skis and Snowboard's graphic contest, having a featured story on Go! Sea to Sky, being voted Pemberton B.C.'s 2013 favourite artist, having a feature in Zoya Lynch's winning entry "Winter Canvas" in the 2014's Whistler/Blackcomb Arc'teryx Winter Photo Challenge, designing Grassroots Powdersurfing Pow Board 2014 graphic, being featured in Mountain Life Magazine, creating the paintings for the cover of the Mt. Washington B.C. Resort flyer and Mountain Sledder Magazine as well as various other projects, 3D chalk art creations, a bunch of fun and successful art shows, lots of Whistler Farmers Markets and craft shows, live paintings, commissions, logos and 
of course a good dose of sleep deprivation.


 This is the piece I painted to be used as the graphic on the limited edition WB Prior Skis
on SNOW...
  Snowboarding is a huge part of my life. It has basically shaped my entire existence. It lives in my soul and works as a perfect balance to my artistic nature and endeavours.

 Here I am stale fishing to pow in-bounds on Whistler mountain- pic by Dagan Beach Photography

on INJURY...
  My willingness to sit and spend the time to blog is partially due to the fact that I'm unable to partake in the endless slashing and bashing of the powder glory that is and has been going on in our hills...since I got hurt almost a month ago. 
   Injuries fell upon me (or I fell upon them...I guess) 3 and a half weeks ago... first run on my birthday Feb 7th- A memorable birthday for sure. It seemed as though I was a sacrificial (for powder) lamb. Three days later, after the lowest snow year (on my 22 years here & riding Whistler/Blackcomb- record memory) it started snowing and hasn't stopped since.
  All things happen for a reason... so, I'm excited to see what this path diversion brings my way -it must be REALLY good because this has been a really, really, really tough one to swallow.
 The original injury diagnosis was a second degree separated shoulder and a sprained ankle… 3 or 4 weeks out- I was super bummed to miss a month but I thought I would still catch some March epic pow days and Spring slushy park action.
 It turns out I had actually torn the connective tissue(flexor retinaculum) that holds down the posterior tibial tendon on the inside of my ankle.   It's an un-common and highly misdiagnosed injury that requires reconstructive surgery.  It also turns out the surgery wait is basically 5-16 months. Learning that yesterday felt like a karate kick to the gut. 

 Yes, I love my life and love where I live. I feel so fortunate in so many ways daily.  I'm glad my injuries weren't more serious after the violent impact. I'm extremely glad I was wearing a helmet(I just started wearing one this year). I am also no stranger to injury. After 22 years on my board and 14 on my bike, there's been 12 plus fractures, a torn ACL, meniscus, plenty of stitches, 6 surgeries, sprains, strains, lumps, bumps and the usual shred life whatnots- This was actually my first serious injury in over 5 years...so I suppose I was due... but really Universe- you throw me down- then throw down the fattest flakes EVER for two and a half weeks!!!
yep. 
  
 My balance is feeling a little out of whack for sure…but I know I'll heal, learn something new and this new path will lead me somewhere extra great. 

  
                In my party hat where I spent most of my birthday this year.



on CONCLUSION...

posted by Nes at 15:17 0 Comments