Thursday 31 January 2019

Health and workshop update

Colour Blast 2019

USA 2019 Spring Tour Cancelled

Ironically my last blog post was titled " We can't always have what we want" and now I can't. Because right now I should be judging the New England Art Society exhibition in Boston followed by workshops there and further courses in two California locations including the California Watercolor Association.  But sadly I have had to cancel everything on this trip due to health hiccups. 

I am so sorry to disappoint everyone who had booked my courses but my health took a serious and completely unexpected turn.  I am seeing specialists. To say I am heart broken is an understatement as I have to date never had to cancel any of my courses apart from when I famously broke my ankle whilst teaching in Australia. There I tried to persuade the surgeon that if he patched me up I only had two days teaching to go after which I would happily return to the hospital and  have the obviously needed operation. Even then, with my determination strongly working I did teach the next courses which were in UK albeit in a wheel chair with my foot elevated, rather than let anyone down. To date I have never let anyone down if I can help it.

Now the situation is out of my hands and I must follow advise.

As my family and friends keep telling me  "Health has to come first" which is hard for me as my artists on my workshops have always come first in my career. Their pleasure, enjoyment and happiness is always all that has mattered to me and it is why I love teaching so much.

It should be a few months before I can make future plans.

For now I am resting, following doctors orders and painting quietly in my studio.

This is not how I saw 2019 starting. But hopefully the rest of the year is going to be brilliant.

I have been in touch with all the workshop hosts and locations. But to everyone who has missed out on this trip I really am so very sorry. Believe me, if I could have come I would have!



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34 comments:

PattiHarada said...

You are what matters to me - to all of us! I’d rather have you here on the planet for a long, long time. Jean, please take tender, loving care of yourself. I love you deeply, and am holding you in my heart as you go through recovery.

hap said...

So sorry to hear health issues are rising again. I hope you know that if there is anything Anne and I can do to help all you need do is ask.In the meantime, know that we, along with all your friends, fans, and students wish you only the best. Both of you will be in our prayers and we'll be sending strength and love your way.

Unknown said...

Praying for all things to be well.

christy lemp said...

Oh Jean, how very scary and disappointing for you. Whatever is going on, so glad you're seeing good doctors as your health is top priority. Us painting fans will be thinking of you with every watercolor wash while you sort things out. All the best and praying good health returns soon. Much love.

MarBear said...

You are a very special lady, Jean! It's so sweet that you feel so bad to have to cancel some courses but . . . you MUST take care of yourself!!! I hope that the doctors can figure everything out and you are "good to go" real soon. For now, enjoy some quiet time and painting. { { { HUGS } } } FYI ~ I'm fairly new to watercolor painting ~ my sister, Jeannine Roufs, got me started a couple of years ago and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! My dream is to someday take one of your courses.

Robin Cooper said...

I'm glad to see that you are taking care of yourself Jean. Blessings to you and yours.

Bindi said...

So sorry Jean to hear of your health issues. I have never been privileged to take one of your workshops, but I know these artists will understand. Hope the English Spring is a mild one so that you can enjoy painting and your lovely garden. Best wishes in the days ahead.

teresa said...

Jean I do hope your health is back on track really quickly. My very best wishes and hugs . . x Teresa

Elizabeth said...

So glad you are focusing on your health and wellbeing. Sending love,energy, and prayers.

Lucy T said...

Jean,
I was not lucky enough to attend your workshops this spring in California. I have been a registered nurse for almost 30 years and there is no price that can be put on ones health. You must take care of you first and listen to your doctors. I know how frustrating this can be, even though I have kept my license as a nurse I have not been able to work for a few years because of health issues. I absolutely loved working in the operating room and had no plans to even retire as some of my colleagues worked into their 70’s I figured I would do the same but alias it was not to be. I desparetly needed to put my energy into something productive and since I have been off work I discovered how much I love to paint and watercolor and mixed media are mediums I gravitate towards. I absolutely love your books and DVD’s it has given me so much information on my quest to discover my style of art.
Jean you give of yourself to all of your students just take this time to care for yourself and enjoy this respite time even though I know how frustrating it can be.
Take care,
Lucy Tyson

okielois said...

So sorry to hear you are not feeling well. It happens to all of us sometimes. Life is what happens while we are making other plans. Hope you are feeling better soon.
At least we have some DVDs of yours that we can watch.
Lois in Oklahoma

Unknown said...

in punta di piedi mi permetto di volerti un pò rincuorare: penso che chi ti "conosce" come me tramite i tuoi libri o ancora meglio chi ha avuto la fortuna di conoscerti di persona, possa comprendere che quello che ti sta accadendo è più forte del tuo desiderio d'insegnare a dipingere....e che quindi possa capire che , se solo tu potessi, lo faresti sicuramente. Quindi....dipingi tra le tue parei, non smettere mai di volerti bene in questo modo. Per tutto il resto, ti auguro che torni presto il momento che per ora devi mettere da parte. ciao Jean, e auguri di cuore per tutto. Monica

Unknown said...

Hello Jean,
I enjoy your books and your blog so much. Please take good care, and thank you for being such a beautiful presence in this world. Hope you recover quickly!

Unknown said...

Your family is absolutely correct, your health is the most important issue. I am not in your courses but I am sure the people who are wil be disappointed but are all wishing you a speedy recovery.

Unknown said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your family and friends are absolutely right, your health is so important. This may provide a time for new artistic discoveries! Looking forward to good health and continued happiness. Many blessings to you always.

Nalda said...

Thinking of you Jean I hope things improve rapidly for you. I am in Australia but have all of your online classes and books except for latest one. Thinking of you.
Nalda Paterson

Candy M/AZ said...

Oh Jean, yes please take care of yourself first! I'm sure everyone will say the same. Get well soon! xx

Candy M/AZ said...

Yes, please take care of yourself first! I'm sure everyone will say the same thing. xx

Unknown said...

Hi Jean,

I'm so sorry to hear you're under the weather... sending warmth and love from Australia and hope that everything comes good very quickly for you. xxx

Denny1600 said...

I'm so sorry that you're having to go through this. Your new job is to work on getting better. And painting for yourself. The classes and students will need to wait. Here's hoping things get figured out, fixed up and you get back to work soon.

Lodahl Art Works said...

I'm sure you are disappointed about this but please, please take care of yourself... I'm not done with you yet... lol big hugs... Kay

Nancy Edwards said...

Feel better. Your health does come first. None of us plans for these hiccups....but sometimes they are put in our path. Good time for reflection. Nancy Edwards, NJ

a woman who is said...

Sorry to hear that Jean, sending prayers for healing and wholeness your way!

Bianca Botes said...

Meravigliosi accostamenti di colori...mi piace molto ...
un saluto ...

Bianca Botes said...

Un accostamento meraviglioso di colori ...mi piace molto ...buona serata ...

Unknown said...

Sending you all the best wishes and healing vibes. I am so sorry to hear you are not well. I enjoyed the workshop I attended with you in November in Bradenton. Hope you will be up and healthy again very soon. Margie

Dynamom said...

Oh, Jean, I am so very sorry that you are experiencing health challenges! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for complete healing. I so enjoyed your workshop in the Kennewick this fall and have been working through Paint Yourself Calm. I hope that you are able to make some lemonade out of the lemons that you are currently experiencing. I will be thinking of you. Debby H.

Dynamom said...

Oh, Jean, I am so sorry that you are dealing with health challenges! I will keep you in my prayers for complete healing. I so enjoyed your Kennewick workshop this last fall. I know you will be back to you travels when you are up to it. Take care of yourself!

rl said...

I think about you so much because I am using your book to learn to paint I will pray that you heal quickly.
Roberta

Cindy said...

Jean, I am sending wishes and prayers for good health...first, a speedy recovery. I am a CWA member and was wait-listed for your February workshop. And so, you don’t always get what you want...☹️🙂

Health first....best wishes for an easy recovery.

Cindy said...

Sending good thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery and renewed good health! Speaking of ‘you don’t always get what you want’....I am a new member of CWA and signed up for your February workshop and it was full so I was waitlisted!!! ☹️��☹️�� hoping you recover easily and that some day you’ll be teaching and I’ll be in your class, both of us getting exactly what we want! And I hope you can see this... I’m not really sure how to post!

Aujouret said...

Very best wishes to you and hope you feel better very soon.
From North California,
Aujouret

Enchanting Stamping said...

I'm so sorry to read of your health issues. I just wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed your books and videos, your technique and style of painting is beautiful and fascinating. I wish you well and hope you are in better health soon.

Miloke said...

Hi Jean,

I just wanted to say that I hope you are taking things easy and are able to enjoy some painting time. I was sorry to hear that your health has taken a turn for the worse but wish you a speedy recovery.

Look after yourself

Rae