I’m 'Gauche' not Adroit

According to professor of psychology Clare Porac, “When a person starts using the non-dominant hand more than usual, the brain has to start activating areas that have remained comparatively dormant. Like an atrophied muscle, the motor control areas connected to the off hand are smaller and less developed than those associated with the dominant one.”

Does this mean my right brain will soon start to hurt from over-use like my left arm does? Seriously though, I have renewed admiration and respect for anyone living with a permanent handicap. Life isn’t easy.

Ever try cutting off a slice of bread with one hand? My family asked “What happened to this loaf?” Yes, we could buy sliced but we love what the breadmaker churns out & it’s healthier for us. Peeling a carrot is almost impossible for me now. And not to disgust anybody but washing both armpits isn’t easy either! : P

This thought occurred to me last week – all children should be taught in school to be ambidextrous, just in case. Not too practical, huh? Sometimes I wonder how it would be possible for me, as a visual artist, to express myself if I were to loose my sight. What artistic outlet would replace the joy I experience working with color, texture and visual surfaces?

Soon I’ll start working on a series for a solo art show. I’m tossing around the idea that it should be accessible to the visually impaired as well as the sighted gallery visitors. Somehow I want to incorporate textures and scents and maybe even sounds into at least some of the art pieces. Fitting this in with the subject of each individual piece will be the challenge and I’ll be thanking my lucky stars I’m able-bodied enough to do it.