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Back in 2014, I was invited to participate in a fiber art invitational called 'Common Threads' at the Foe Store and Gallery, then located on Main Street in Northampton, MA. I had been going to their gallery openings for a long time and was delighted to be invited to the show. So excited that I wanted to make some new work with a new focus. After lamenting to my partner, improv aficionado Izzy Gesell, that I didn’t know what to do, he suggested that I think about doing brains. WELL….that was a brilliant idea….and, I immediately started researching. The first two pieces came to life as Neurofiberosis 1 & 2. I imagined what you would call it when someone always has fiber on the brain. #1 is built from crazy quilt techniques, while #2 is all hand embroidery and beadwork. Below is the source photo for the information I used to map the different parts of the brain. Image found on Pinterest - if you know who should be credited please leave a comment! And then... something kind of magical happened. A colleague at my office saw those first two pieces and commissioned this third piece. Her daughter had a hemispherectomy at the age of 11 and she wanted a right facing brain piece, and so I created 'Starry Night' shown below. You can meet Monica in my blog post here. I wasn't really planning on doing more brains but I became so intrigued with the subject matter I just kept going and now, in my 4th year, I am thoroughly entranced. I was further encouraged by friends who saw the work and also by the neuroscience faculty that I support in the day job (which you can read about here .) |
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This last week has been a bad one for sleep. Insomnia is a problem I've had off and on my entire life. Sometimes I can track it to a specific cause like that 3pm cup of coffee or the chocolate I had in the evening. Sometimes it is my anxious brain spinning out of control - rewriting the many to do lists I have - over and over in my head, or worrying about the thing I didn't do... Do you suffer too? Here is advice from the Sleep Foundation on What to do When you Can't Sleep.
I've learned that instead of tossing and turning all night, I am a happier person if I get up and do something. This week I worked on a rainbow brain embroidery until 4am two nights in a row. Embroidery is relaxing for me and BONUS! I feel like I'm getting some work done - so, instead of just being tired the next day, I feel accomplished and tired.
And, sometimes my very handsome cat, Ben, keeps me company.
What do you do when you can't sleep? I'd love to hear your story in the comments below.
Chronicling process - from start to finish - click on each photo to see the caption and let me know if you have any questions! It's a long, slow process but I LOVE every moment of it.
On my way into the giant inflatable brain at the AAN Brain Health Fair 2017, Boston, MA
I just returned from attending the Brain Health Fair 2017 in Boston, sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology and I learned SO much - especially about the prevention of Alzheimer's and dementia. As a 60 year old woman, my interest is very personal and I wish I had this information 30 years ago.
Here are my most important takeaways:
There is of course so much more to learn and know about brain health but these were my big takeaways and now I am heading off to the gym, planning to shop for all the right foods on my way home, and signing up for that dance class soon!!
For more information visit The Women's Alzheimer's Movement founded by Maria Shriver, a force committed to finding out why Alzheimer’s discriminates against women.
Here are my most important takeaways:
- Alzheimer's disproportionately affects women. Two thirds of all Alzheimer's patients in the U.S. are women and the research hasn't told us why yet. Is it because women live longer? Is it hormonal? Ongoing studies seek to find the answers. If you are at risk or have already been diagnosed, think about signing up for a clinical trial.
- Women who have a mother with Alzheimer's are more likely to get it themselves. If this is you, it's time to get proactively interested in your brain health. You CAN take preventive measures!
- Our brains never stop growing and learning. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks. The best brain-training activity is to do something that combines physical activity, social activity and learning something new. Dr. Reisa Sperling, Director of the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Research Center at Harvard, suggests taking up ballroom dancing, for instance! Now that sounds like something I could get behind.
- "Best diet for our brains is the Mediterranean Diet", says Dr. Marie Pasinski, Harvard Neuorologist, Author and Brain Health Expert. Fat is good for the brain because our brains are two-thirds fat. Here is a link to MediterraneanLiving.com for a terrific free cookbook you can download! I've got my copy and am ready to roll. (PS - I know the author, Bill Bradley, and he is local to Western Mass.)
- Exercise can actually increase your brain volume. Recent studies have shown a visible thickness in the cortex after a regular exercise program has been adopted.
There is of course so much more to learn and know about brain health but these were my big takeaways and now I am heading off to the gym, planning to shop for all the right foods on my way home, and signing up for that dance class soon!!
For more information visit The Women's Alzheimer's Movement founded by Maria Shriver, a force committed to finding out why Alzheimer’s discriminates against women.
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Chronicling my adventures as a Neuro Artist. I love to make work centered on our magnificent brains and learn about how it all works in the process..
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