My work allows me many opportunities. Take these photos for instance …
On my last dental visit I conversed (albeit awkward) with Melissa, the dental hygienist who cleans my teeth. She asked what I did for a living. What sort of subject-matter do you draw? When I told her, she wondered if I might like a copy of my x-rays.
Well….yeah.
She pulled them up again, identified details, gave me extra info about teeth, nerves, and pointed out the sinuses. The string-like shapes fascinate me. The head and neck areas are really interesting, she noted.
When the dentist came in he told me about the varying structure of the tissues of the body. He expressed the value in drawing for the purpose of learning. He’s correct, I know.
A few years back, I was invited to the Barrows Neurological Institute, here in Phoenix.
It was a turning point for my work. I saw slides of fluid and body … stuff. Things appeared as solid black ground, with bright shapes and strings floating through it. I learned that the bright colors were not natural. They were injected ink, so one could see the matter: cells, both good and bad, and yes … cancer. They appeared as worlds of silence and wonder, what I might imagine outer space like.
While there I ran into someone else I knew. She invited me into her lab and showed me DNA sequence.
Since then I’ve purchased many anatomy books and taken anatomy classes. I’ve really looked at and studied the body and it’s parts (both eastern and western studies). It’s not a machine which I sometimes liken it to…it’s soft, vulnerable, intricate working and so perfect in its design.
Who created this? – I still wonder.
Today I am in Dr. Richard Shindell’s office. He is a leading valley Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon. He’s married to artist Mary Shindell. To say Rick’s an interesting guy, is an understatement. They met in art school of all places. I can tell you about furniture he’s built for the Roosevelt Row galleries. My husband can tell you about the hot rod cars Rick builds. Here – go to his website bio – and read about him yourself. His talents are many. He’s a fine surgeon and quite respected.
I’m here to see x-ray light boxes he has available for sale.
Mary takes me through the office. The rooms are full of art. The waiting room has a
Roy Wasson Valle print (you know…Fuzzy Balls) in it. A Shindell in the background. Patient rooms are brightly colored and filled with original works.
I need to focus. And I sort of do – in what appears to be the x-ray room.
I’ve considered painting the back body. I’m not certain it’s visually all that interesting. Mary disagrees. She shows me these framed x-rays. They catch my attention. The spinal column holds great visual rhythm. The kidneys show up from behind, quiet and subtle.
Rick’s office holds extraordinary things. Though, not so extraordinary if you work with the bones of the body.
I see the feet and I think of being grounded and having support. I want to do a drawing focusing on that stuff.
How many people do you know, that have a pelvic girdle sitting on their desk? I want it. The pelvis has such elegant contour, and holds beautiful form.
After all the visual stimulation…we get to the light boxes. That’s why I’m here after-all. They’re cool. I’ll plan to have a bit more of that part of the visit in our [Creature, Man and Nature] blog. Right now…I have to file this afternoon into my brain. It’s too valuable.
In the midst of all this, Mary and I see a collaborative opportunity. We need to see what Carolyn thinks.
Thanks Mary. Thanks Rick.
Monica Aissa Martinez 