A North Atlantic Narrative

A North Atlantic Narrative

Share this post

A North Atlantic Narrative
A North Atlantic Narrative
What if an artist is forced into a new medium?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

What if an artist is forced into a new medium?

A thought experiment.

Elizabeth Miller's avatar
Elizabeth Miller
May 01, 2025
∙ Paid
2

Share this post

A North Atlantic Narrative
A North Atlantic Narrative
What if an artist is forced into a new medium?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
2
1
Share
The original sketch for Prey. What if this had been a pastel or a watercolor or an acrylic painting instead? I wouldn’t even know where to begin. And honestly I don’t find any of those mediums particularly inspiring for work like this. Mixed media maybe?

For the past several weeks I have been unable to really feel much sensation in my hands and feet. I have seriously impaired dexterity in my fingers. Everything I touch has the same soft, dull texture as a fleece throw. I’m not sure I can negotiate a sewing needle or small embellishments right now. On top of this, the skin on my hands is tight, dry, and peeling, and sometimes my fingers are swollen, other times they seem shriveled. I’m going through a lot of hand salve. I have no idea what’s causing this. I know what’s not causing it. I am not diabetic, I am not B12 deficient, I have no abnormalities in standard blood work.

I already know I have rheumatoid arthritis. I also have Hashimoto’s disease. Autoimmune diseases suck, they come in gangs, and manifest in a lot of crazy ways. Maybe this is another one. Maybe it’s a reaction to the RA drug. Maybe it’s temporary nerve damage from a recent respiratory virus. I’m currently in the American healthcare system’s long wait cycle to see some specialists to try to figure it out. Who knows how long it will take.

Losing sensation and dexterity in my hands has forced a question: what if this were permanent?

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Elizabeth Miller
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More