Beaches

Alcohol ink drawings (and few photos)

This series of alcohol ink drawings was made by Hung to cheer me up in the aftermath of my unfortunate fall and ankle fracture while in Cuba trying to soak up some sun ahead of the Canadian winter. 

In a life-changing split second, I ended up stuck for 10 days in a Cuban hospital, awaiting repatriation for surgery. Besides dealing with pain and stress, it was a momentous time to reflect upon our own vulnerability, adaptability, relationships, and compassion. 

How do you express gratitude to Cuban doctors, nurses and staff who provided selfless and excellent care with a little they have, hospital corridors dark to save the electricity for operating rooms, beds worn and supremely uncomfortable; yet a gentle touch, hand squeeze, a smile of encouragement, being introduced to a doctor’s girlfriend and drivers grandmother – make it suddenly bearable – and all what stays is the feeling of being cared for by people who feel a genuine compassion – a family, not strangers. Loads of necessities (along with my husband) shuffled for two hours one way, daily, by the hotel to hospital – so many messages and e-mails and good wishes.

And then my precious friends – a lifeline to my world. Support, food, attention, anything…keeping photos and art flowing to tingle my mind, my mental energy.

Who could not get better with these images supplied in my daily feed? How was it possible to go through these life events without today’s access to communication, awaiting hand-written letters, a memory of writing them to my parents across the ocean still fresh, despite 30 years gone by?

This is a small tribute to my artistic and caring friends for their support and love. These are beaches, real and imagined, of tranquility and reverie, of dark clouds and bright people, of coastal moods and Caribbean exuberance, cheerful and healing.