Note: This post is full of links to my friend's art pages and shops as a way to promote her art.
Meet my friend Danelle.
She's a very special artist who loves her husband Ben and her 2 cats, Goya and Pixel. I made them these pillows as a wedding gift :) I did a post on a comic that Ben did for inktober last year called Trinetta Sky
Her bio says "Danelle Malan is a fine artist and illustrator from the city of Cape Town, South Africa.
She has a Bachelor's Degree of Fine Art, obtained from the Michaelis School of Fine Art (UCT) in 2010, with painting as her major.
She has a great interest in animals and the complexities of human nature, and enjoys working an edge of humor into her art."
We've known each other since 2012 and met them when they were running Legion Ink, a social drawing group here in Cape Town. I'm super proud of this lady who, in spite of everything keeps going. She was diagnosed with a Repetitive Strain Injury in her right hand and the pain got so bad that she was unable to use her hand at all.
"I have struggled with this condition for more than 9 years now and lately it has gotten to a point where loss of fine motor control and pain make it difficult for me to commit to illustration commissions. I have tried several types of treatments but to no avail. I finally saw a neurologist on 29/03/2017, and he said that what I have is not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as was previously thought, nor is it focal dystonia (phew!). I need to rest the hand... for a LONG time. We're talking months, perhaps even a year or more. As a result, I have practically stopped taking commissions, but instead make art that I feel is within my capacity, and which I don't feel pressurized to complete by a set deadline. "
Now for someone who makes a living doing art that's a very serious challenge! What would you do if you were unable to do your job, possibly for a year?
The only thing she could do was to keep her right hand strapped up and learn to be left handed. It has been amazing to watch her progress from learning to write again to making some kick ass art. I'm proud of her so allow me to brag
October 2017
Using her left hand she has made some beautiful and whimsical patterns. From the watercolor and salt leaves that make up the banner image
to mushrooms and moths and teeth.
Mug of Mushrooms anyone?
Sleeve of teeth?
Tiger moth tote?
Or could I interest you in a collection of tiny cacti?
All of these wonderful products and more are available on her Redbubble shop and some patterns are available as fabric on her Spoonflower shop
She also has a Patreon where you can become a patron of the arts for as little as $1 a month. Here is her intro video
Please click through to her shops and have a look.
So, the reason for my post is that they just had a double whammy of bad news. The project her husband was working on at work has unfortunately run out of funding. Plus they found out that they have to move out of their rental flat at short notice. It would mean the world to me and to them if you could help spread the word of the Redbubble shop and her Patreon. You might even find something on her shop for yourself or your quirky loved one :)
Giver her a follow on Facebook to keep up with the latest: Danelle Malan Art
Thanks so much for reading!
Any good quality comments not from bots will be upvoted with .04 cents :)
Hope you have a great week further. Almost weekend!
Lizelle
Images courtesy of Danelle
Wedding photo by Grethe Rosseaux of http://grethephoto.com/
PS: Today I wrote another article on Bored Panda to see if we can reach a broader audience. To see the article go to Bored Panda Artist Teaches Herself To Create Whimsical Left-Handed Art After A Repetitive Strain Injury Leaves Her Unable To Work.